[PARAM]

3 weeks to go but we may find out a lot this week. If the Rams can beat New Orleans their chances for a wild card spot and our chances to enjoy the weekend games improve! Last week saw some contenders take huge hits. The two most affecting the Rams were Green Bay losing to Tampa and Minnesota losing to Cincinnati. But Jacksonville losing to Baltimore, Denver losing to the Lions, Pittsburgh losing to Indy, Atlanta losing to Carolina and Philly losing to Seattle really stirred the pot. I'm sure there will be some teams eliminated this week.
Saturday Games:

Cincinnati (8-6) @ Pittsburgh (7-7)
The Steelers are on a deep dive since getting to 6-3 by beating Green Bay. They have dropped 4 of their last 5 but the lone win came over the Bengals. They have averaged 13.4 PPG during that skid but since firing their OC, it's a whopping 14.2. As far as tiebreakers go, they really don't have one with losses to Jacksonville, Indy and Houston. The Bengals are on an opposite trajectory, winning their last 3 but needing OT twice in the process. If they are going to qualify for the postseason, this is a must win. They play Kansas City and Cleveland to finish out.

Buffalo (8-6) @ LA Chargers (5-9)
The Bills still have a chance at the AFC East title. The Chargers have a chance for a top 5 pick. A Buffalo win here puts huge pressure on the Dolphins (vs Dallas).

Sunday Early Games:

Indianapolis (8-6) @ Atlanta (6-8)
The Falcons took a huge hit at Carolina last week. The Colts have won 5 of their last 6 and are in the hunt for the AFC South. They lose the tiebreaker over Jacksonville so there is not much room for error.

Seattle (7-7) @ Tennessee (5-9)
Their win last night vs Philadelphia is just what the Seahawks needed. We were told during the game last night, the Seahawks were 7-0 vs Philly under Pete Carroll and they pulled it out in the end. Well they are 1-3 vs the Titans under Carroll. Will Levis suffered an ankle sprain last week so Ryan Tannehill could start. I don't know if that helps or hurts the Titans chances.

Detroit (10-4) @ Minnesota (7-7)
Minnesota is playing for a wild card spot. The Lions are playing for a high seed. It's said the best way to rattle Goff is pressure him. Well nobody pressures as much as the Vikings. And Minnesota is #5 vs the run and #4 in ypc allowed. Mullens played better than Dobbs has for the Vikings so this should be a good game.

Washington (4-10) @ NY Jets (5-9)
A game for draft order and not much else.

Green Bay (6-8) @ Carolina (2-12)
The team with the easiest schedule among Wild Card contenders is 0-2. Carolina got their second win last week. No way they win two in a row. Right?

Cleveland (9-5) @ Houston (8-6)
Stroud should be back under center. Flacco is playing backyard football and clearly having fun. This is another good game between playoff contenders, though I'm sure Ram fans won't be watching this one with 3 other more important games going on.

Sunday Late Games:

Jacksonville (8-6) @ Tampa Bay (7-7)
A Florida battle. Jacksonville could have won that Baltimore game had they not missed a couple of field goals and turned the ball over. Tampa is in control of their destiny. Should be an entertaining game.

Arizona (3-11) @ Chicago (5-9)
Another game for draft position.

Dallas (10-4) @ Miami (10-4)
How come this isn't on SNF football? This should be a battle. Dallas is 3-4 away from Texas. Miami hasn't beat a team with a winning record. Both teams need to win if they want to win the division. Something is gonna give.

SNF:

New England (3-11) @ Denver (7-7)
Last week it was Reid vs Belichick. This week it's Payton vs Belichick. Almost like a fairwell tour for BB.

Christmas Football:

My wife and daughters believe football on Christmas Day is an invasion on families by the NFL. I agreed and asked if dinner could be served at either 3:45 or 5:50.

Las Vegas (6-8) @ Kansas City (9-5)
I remember when Chiefs/Raiders was like Steelers/Ravens. Not any more. But the way KC has been playing, it could be. KC is fighting for a high seed, Las Vegas is fighting for an interim head coach. Again.

NY Giants (5-9) @ Philadelphia (10-4)
Years ago Giants Bill Parcells was asked what kind of game it was going to be between the Giants and Eagles. He said (in typical Parcells sarcasm), "it's a division game, a hard fought battle, you can throw out the records, yadda, yadda, yadda. What kind of question is that?". Can we throw out the records? ....or... The Giants don't have a snowball's chance? Have you seen Philly play lately?

Baltimore (11-3) @ San Francisco (11-3)
The game of the weekend. A Superbowl preview. If they say it enough, it probably won't happen. That's how the football gods seem to work. SF wins and they practically have the #1 seed. They play @ Washington in week 17. Likewise for Baltimore, except they play Miami next before the Steelers. Should be a great game. Can Ram fans root for SF, knowing that if they clinch before week 18, we might see the 2's? Okay, how about this....Ram fans can just root against Baltimore. Don't you just get the feeling Baltimore is going to beat them, just to throw a wrench in Rams fans plans?

[PARAM]

I'd like to know what needs to happen for the Rams to clinch a WC spot next week with a win.

Tampa needs to lose to Jacksonville this week. Then the Saints or Bucs will end up with at least 9 losses after week 17. And the other should be South Champion.
Minnesota needs to lose to Detroit this week. Then the Vikings or Packers will have at least 9 losses after week 17.
Seattle needs to lose to Tennessee or Pittsburgh to have a minimum of 8 losses.
Atlanta needs to lose to Indy or Chicago to have 9 losses.

It seems the key is beating the Giants and Seattle losing once in the next two weeks (@ Tenn, vs Pitt)

That should do it.

[max]

I'd like to know what needs to happen for the Rams to clinch a WC spot next week with a win.

Tampa needs to lose to Jacksonville this week. Then the Saints or Bucs will end up with at least 9 losses after week 17. And the other should be South Champion.
Minnesota needs to lose to Detroit this week. Then the Vikings or Packers will have at least 9 losses after week 17.
Seattle needs to lose to Tennessee or Pittsburgh to have a minimum of 8 losses.
Atlanta needs to lose to Indy or Chicago to have 9 losses.

It seems the key is beating the Giants and Seattle losing once in the next two weeks (@ Tenn, vs Pitt)

That should do it.

If we beat Giants, All we need is for Detroit to beat Vikings this week and Seahawks to lose this week or next week. And we clinch WC.

Go Lions!

[ramsman34]

By 1pm PST Sunday we will know how Seattle and the Vikings fared. Both losing will be fantastic

[69RamFan]

I'd like to know what needs to happen for the Rams to clinch a WC spot next week with a win.

Tampa needs to lose to Jacksonville this week. Then the Saints or Bucs will end up with at least 9 losses after week 17. And the other should be South Champion.
Minnesota needs to lose to Detroit this week. Then the Vikings or Packers will have at least 9 losses after week 17.
Seattle needs to lose to Tennessee or Pittsburgh to have a minimum of 8 losses.
Atlanta needs to lose to Indy or Chicago to have 9 losses.

It seems the key is beating the Giants and Seattle losing once in the next two weeks (@ Tenn, vs Pitt)

That should do it.

Tenn beating the Hags,
The Lions beating the Vikings, this Sunday,
and we win against NYG next Sunday,
Then we're in the playoffs right after that game ends.

[Elvis]

Pittsburgh has a reason to try next week in Seattle…

[ramsman34]

Ya they do, still heavily in the mix. Anything to give the shesquats problems!!

[PARAM]

Indy plays Houston so whomever loses has the same record as the Steelers. But Pittsburgh loses the tie breaker over both of them. So they're going to need to win in Seattle to keep their postseason hopes alive. Hell, I think Seattle has a good chance to lose this week. After a big win over Philly? On the road in Tennessee? Tannehill starting, maybe with a chip on his shoulder?

[PARAM]

So which games will Ram fans watch?

I'm gonna stay glued to Detroit at Minnesota and Seattle at Tennessee. I like the way YTTV allows multiview of your choice.

Gonna watch Dallas at Miami and check in on Jacksonville at Tampa in the late window.

Prolly won't watch the night game, although a Denver loss gives Pittsburgh even more incentive in Seattle.

[max]

So which games will Ram fans watch?

I'm gonna stay glued to Detroit at Minnesota and Seattle at Tennessee. I like the way YTTV allows multiview of your choice.

Gonna watch Dallas at Miami and check in on Jacksonville at Tampa in the late window.

Prolly won't watch the night game, although a Denver loss gives Pittsburgh even more incentive in Seattle.

Yup. I think it’s about 75% chance at least one of Seahawks/ Vikings lose.

Added to that is the chance they get beat up so they’ll lose next week.

Crazy that I’m rooting for all the above.

A perfect Christmas Eve would be Santa bringing coal to all our competitors, especially Petey.