Why 6-7 Rams could emerge as a playoff threat

With the return of a healthy Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams look like a team capable of upsetting an NFC favorite and making a playoff run.

First, of course, they must make the playoffs. 

The Rams are in the eighth position, just behind No. 7 seed Green Bay, in the NFC playoff picture, but with a favorable schedule remaining — vs. Commanders (4-9), vs. Saints (6-7), at Giants (4-8) and at 49ers (10-3) — the postseason is within reach. By Week 18, San Francisco may have clinched the No. 1 seed and could rest its starters, potentially giving Los Angeles an edge.

On Sunday, the Rams lost to the AFC-leading Ravens (10-3) in overtime 37-31, but they nearly pulled off the upset in poor conditions on the road. 

Since returning from a thumb injury in Week 11, Stafford has been playing his best football since leading the Rams to a Super Bowl title during the 2021 season.

Over his last three games, Stafford has thrown for 802 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating over the span is 111, well above average. When Stafford is playing his best, he is capable of carrying his team to playoff wins. 

One weakness for the Rams the past few seasons has been their inability to run the ball. With RB Kyren Williams playing like a star, however, the team can control the clock with the run game and grind out tough yards. During his three games since returning from an ankle injury, Williams has 345 rushing yards (5.6 per carry), 84 receiving yards and three total touchdowns. 

Another positive sign for the Rams on Sunday was WR Cooper Kupp's 115 yards receiving — the first time he has reached 100-plus since Week 6. If Kupp is back to being a star, pairing him with fifth-round rookie WR Puka Nacua (82 receptions, 1,113 receiving yards) gives the Rams one of the best receiver tandems in the NFL.

The young defense has not had a great season, ranking 21st in points allowed (22.3), 18th in yards allowed (339.9) and 30th in takeaways (11). That unit — led by 32-year-old DT Aaron Donald, a future Hall of Famer — must improve for the possibility of a deep playoff run. 

Donald (six sacks, 43 tackles) may no longer be the one-man defensive wrecking ball he once was, but he still ranks among the best defensive linemen in the league. The attention he commands creates sack opportunities for teammates.