The Rams situation is fascinating...
Best record in the NFC West last year, but of all 8 teams in the league with best of division record, by far the worst interconference/intraconference play. Losses to the Jets at home, a blowout loss to Patriots in neutral territory (when the rest of the West beat them), barely beating Buffalo. Just doesn't add up. Their only quality win I'd say was against Washington, with the help of home field advantage.
Don't know how to explain it. Looks like they just target players and schemes to takedown SF & Seattle. If all you ever wanted to do was just beat one team in the league, it's not terribly hard to do.
I looked at the Cowboys last year and how well they did in their division, nearly sweeping the Giants who are clearly a better team in the sense of the NFC and NFL. But they matched up better to them on defense than the 49ers have.
Last year we also saw a Charlie Batch led Steeler team beat the Ravens in Baltimore. Enough said.
Division games all need asterisks.