The Los Angeles Rams (5-6) are staring down the barrel of a missed playoff season if they do not find a way to win a majority of their final six games. It may not be probable, but it is definitely possible, considering what they were able to achieve last year.
The Rams were 3-6 last year before going 7-1 in their final eight games to finished 10-7 and clinch a Wild Card spot. This year, the NFC West is still anybody's for the taking heading into Week 13 and a few key wins could turn this season into a division-winning one if the Rams execute down the stretch.
Here is an outlook of the Rams' remaining six games and the chances they have to stay in playoff contention, barring a few divisional losses from their rivals.
Week 13: @ New Orleans Saints (4-7)
The Rams are responding from a brutal loss at home on Sunday night. After their primetime loss to the Dolphins in Week 10, the Rams did a fabulous job of bouncing back in Week 11 with a road win over the Patriots. They will be in a similar situation this week, traveling down south.
The Saints have struggled for a majority of the season after a fast start and recently fired their head coach Dennis Allen. They have won back-to-back games under interim head coach Darren Rizzi after losing seven-straight. They will face the Rams off a much-needed bye week.
Handling business and earning a win against a poor defense that were sellers at the trade deadline is going to be a major difference. The Rams will be resilient and respond with a clutch road win to return to a .500 record.
Week 14: Vs. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
This matchup resembles the Eagles loss due to the utter dominance that the Bills have displayed this season. From what the Eagles showed the Rams, teams of this caliber are just a leg up in terms of success and execution.
The Bills will win this game, handing the Rams their third-straight home loss and put them right back at 6-7, in need an even bigger win streak in the final four games of the regular season.
Week 15: @ San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
This is a very winnable game for the Rams as the 49ers have looking completely lost over the past few weeks. Injuries have plagued both sides, but have negatively impact the 49ers by a wide margin. It will be a huge game for both teams.
The Rams will sweep the 49ers with a win, improving 3-1 in the NFC west and putting them right back at .500 with a 7-7 record.
Week 16: @ New York Jets (3-8)
The Jets have been one of the most disappointing teams this season even with strong talent across the field. They are 2-4 at home this season and the Rams offensive scheme will be too much for a Jets defense that has not played well this season.
This is another big opportunity for the Rams to handle a bad football team and win the games they are expected to in order to have a fighting chance at the division. The Rams will win, marking two-straight and pulling them back above .500 at 8-7.
Week 17: Vs. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
The Cardinals have shown their ability to be a dangerous team, but displayed major inconsistencies this past weekend, only scoring six points in a divisional loss to the Seahawks. They just came off their bye week and their hardest games are ahead of them.
It will be telling to see where this team stands in Week 17, but the Rams traditionally playing better and better as the season progresses and they will be hungry for a home win after losing their last three at SoFi Stadium. Rams win by a close margin and become 9-7 with one game left.
Week 18: Vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
This game could have playoff implication and make or break the Rams' season. If all goes to plan, they would be 4-1 against NFC West teams this season and a win in the final regular season game, would surely give them the division.
The Rams will play a grueling, tight ballgame, and come out with a three-point win as the game goes down to the wire. From a talent standpoint, the Seahawks and Rams have the most across both sides of the ball. It will be a marquee matchup that goes in favor of the Rams.
The Rams will finish 10-7, winning five of their last six games and finishing 5-1 in the NFC West. They will take the division and host a playoff game during Wild Card weekend.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten training camp underway, and it’s a very exciting time for all football fans. The 2025 season is getting closer by the day, and with players finally back on the field, the energy around the team is building fast. In Pittsburgh, that buzz is especially strong this year, largely because of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers brings experience, leadership, and championship expectations to a Steelers team that believes it can compete at the highest level. As he arrived at training camp, one moment quickly gained attention. According to ESPN Steelers insider Brooke Pryor, Rodgers had one special request for his teammates that he believes is critical to their success this season. To put it simply, it sounds as if Rodgers reportedly asked his teammates to fully commit to one another. He stressed the importance of trust, communication, and total buy-in from every player in the locker room. For Rodgers, it’s not just about talent or scheme. It’s about building a team that believes in the same mission and is willing to fight for each other every step of the way. "Aaron Rodgers had one request of his new Pittsburgh teammates: keep an open mind," Pryor said in her latest article for ESPN. "Rodgers asked his teammates to get to know him without any preconceived notions before making any judgments." When it was revealed that the Steelers were pursuing Rodgers, many fans quickly labeled him a diva or an attention seeker. Those types of criticisms have followed him for years, and while some of it might be fair to discuss, it doesn’t tell the full story. What Rodgers has shown in Pittsburgh so far has been quite the opposite. Since arriving at training camp, Rodgers has carried himself with leadership, professionalism, and humility. He didn’t come in expecting everyone to bow down to him because he’s a four-time league MVP. Instead, he made it clear that he wants to earn the right to lead this team. Rodgers has focused on building relationships and gaining the trust of his teammates. He understands that leadership is not something you demand, but something you prove through action and consistency. That attitude has already made a strong impression inside the Steelers’ locker room. For Steelers fans, this should be an encouraging sign. Rodgers’ mindset and approach could be a huge factor in helping this team reach its full potential in the 2025 season. His leadership may end up being just as valuable as his talent on the field. Mike Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. He feels that pressure and gladly totes those bags. He knows the pressure is on him to get a playoff win and make a deep run in 2025 now that he got Rodgers. Steelers' Will Howard Expected To Be The Biggest Winner From Aaron Rodgers Joining Pittsburgh One of the biggest winners from Rodgers joining the Steelers is clearly rookie quarterback Will Howard. Despite falling to the sixth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, Howard enters the NFL with an impressive resume, having led Ohio State to a National Championship victory in the 2024 college football season. He consistently elevated the talent around him and carries a strong belief in his ability to grow at the next level. Now, Howard finds himself in an ideal situation. Not only does he get to learn behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, but he also gets a version of Rodgers who is motivated, focused, and eager to mentor. Rodgers has already made it clear that he plans to take Howard under his wing. For a rookie in Howard’s position, this is like hitting the jackpot. The opportunity to develop behind a future Hall of Famer who is willing to invest in your growth is rare. If Howard takes full advantage, this could be the perfect start to a long and successful NFL career.
Things have largely gone cold on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade front, but that does not mean teams are not thinking of the possibility of that changing. Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard noted that the Warriors are being cautious in negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, as he could be possible trade bait if Antetokounmpo is traded by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warriors are adamant about not giving away Kuminga for less than his full trade value, which is why his situation remains unresolved with August looming. Kuminga and the Warriors have yet to agree on a contract, and it remains unclear when the situation will be resolved. He has a $7.9 million qualifying offer on the table, and signing it would allow him to approve any trade he is involved in. If he signs a multiyear extension, he would not be eligible to be traded until January, which could complicate things if Antetokounmpo decides late in the offseason that he wants a move. Presumably, Kuminga would be a key part of any trade the Warriors make involving Antetokounmpo. However, with no market materializing, there seems to be a growing chance he could remain with the team next season. The former No. 7 overall pick averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals per game last season. He appeared in 47 games, making 10 starts and averaging 24.3 minutes per game. However, he has been unable to consistently lock down a major spot in coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, which reportedly led to some tension between the two last season. Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, still seems unlikely to be traded, but teams are still going to prepare for the possibility.
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
Are NBA players underpaid? Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry argues yes. The greatest shooter in NBA history said Thursday on Complex’s “360 With Speedy” that because the league’s current CBA doesn’t allow for current players to invest in league and team equity, players are leaving money on the table. “I would say, yes, we are underpaid,” Curry admitted when asked, despite enormous salaries, if the players were getting short-changed, “because you wanna be able to participate in that rise [of equity].” “It’s a partnership with ownership, [and] it’s a partnership with the league,” the 37-year-old stressed, revealing that league salaries do not reflect players’ impact on team valuations. If anyone has the right to begrudge the current CBA on player participation in equity, it’s Curry. When drafted in 2009, the Warriors were worth $315 million. Current valuations in May of 2025 have the team at $9.4 billion, the most in the league. Curry’s been paid handsomely during his time in Golden State, and he doesn’t overlook it. “I know we’re blessed to be in a position where we’re playing basketball for a living, and these are the type of checks that people are earning,” he told Complex. However, when he signed his $62.6 million one-year extension in 2024 that would keep him in a Warriors’ jersey until 2027, many felt that no amount of money the franchise could offer him would represent his worth. Curry had an undeniable impact on the Warriors’ valuation increasing by nearly 3,000%. He’s benefited by being the most salaried player on the roster and plenty of endorsement deals. But is he getting his fair share? Something similar may happen with reigning NBA Finals MVP and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just signed the richest contract in league history with an average annual value of $71.25 million. According to Forbes, the Thunder’s valuation increased 20% from 2023 to 2024 and will likely take another jump after this year’s championship. Curry concedes that player participation in equity isn’t a simple concept and not all markets are created equal: “You got competitive advantage considerations…and want every market to have a fair chance, like I get all that.” He believes, however, that finding a solution is a “mutually beneficial proposition” for players, teams and the league. Even the most expensive people in the world need to find other investors to make owning an NBA team possible. The best example of Curry’s point is the Boston Celtics sale in March. The most-championed franchise in league history was sold to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, the largest ever sports franchise sale in North America at the time. Chisholm needed Rob Hale, Bruce Beal Jr., and private equity firm Sixth Street, to afford the purchase. Because team ownership is already a multi-investor operation, the league could potentially come to an agreement with the players by the next CBA negotiation at the end of the decade. If not, the league's best players will continue to simultaneously earn a ridiculous amount of money, and it will not be nearly enough.