This 5 seed scenario isn’t too shabby either.

[rjdriver]

I’m confident in week 18, but I have some thoughts regarding the 5 seed.

If we get the 5 seed and win AND supposing the Rams and Packers “upset” their opponents.

Who would we play in the divisional round ? It would be Green Bay in Seattle while the Rams go to SF no?

I obviously want the bye, but a path to the SB that keeps us away from having to beat both divisional opponents and staying away from Lambeau isn’t too shabby either no?

 

[therealjohncarlson]

The way I see it is the #5 seed is the least likely out of the three seeds we can get. It would require the Rams to lose one of their next two games and we lose next week. And the rams have a pretty easy schedule with the falcons and caedinals.

So to me it would be much preferal to the 6 seed but is a lot less likely imo.

 

[glenwo2]

Meh. Just win next week and everything will take care of itself.

That's my take on things.

 

[rjdriver]

The way I see it is the #5 seed is the least likely out of the three seeds we can get. It would require the Rams to lose one of their next two games and we lose next week. And the rams have a pretty easy schedule with the falcons and caedinals.

So to me it would be much preferal to the 6 seed but is a lot less likely imo.

Oh. I didn’t even think we could get the 6 seed. I see it now though, I forgot to give the Rams the win THIS week in the playoff machine since they haven’t played yet. (I skipped ahead to week 18).

Yeah, let’s beat the Niners

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I haven't done the machine either. But I heard it was 1 with a win and 5 with a loss, because of our record. Will have to go try it again today.

EDIT: Just did the playoff machine, and with the Hawks lose, Clams win scenario, that puts us a the 6, AT Philly. Gross.

It also shows how tight the NFC is if we can drop from the 1 to the 6 with a single loss.

 

[kidhawk]

Considering the Rams are out of the hunt for the division I can see them resting players and losing a game. If they were still in the division hunt that wouldn’t happen. Right now I’m going with Coaches mantra of just win the game in front of us and see where the chips fall. The division matters most of all.

 

[Jac]

Considering the Rams are out of the hunt for the division I can see them resting players and losing a game. If they were still in the division hunt that wouldn’t happen. Right now I’m going with Coaches mantra of just win the game in front of us and see where the chips fall. The division matters most of all.

One of the side benefits to all of this is that the Rams have to play two more games know they have zero chance at the #1, while their two division rivals will be playing in the game-of-the-week for it. After pretty much a full year in the driver's seat for it, that has to drive McVay crazy.

 

[kidhawk]

One of the side benefits to all of this is that the Rams have to play two more games know they have zero chance at the #1, while their two division rivals will be playing in the game-of-the-week for it. After pretty much a full year in the driver's seat for it, that has to drive McVay crazy.

I’m sure they wanted the division but you know McVay is spinning this to where his guys get to both play and rest the next two weeks. They get to get guys plus to keep them sharp but also rest guys and get backups some work. It’s a good scenario for a wildcard team.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Considering the Rams are out of the hunt for the division I can see them resting players and losing a game. If they were still in the division hunt that wouldn’t happen. Right now I’m going with Coaches mantra of just win the game in front of us and see where the chips fall. The division matters most of all.

They're playing the Cards. They'll win easily. Even with backups.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

One of the side benefits to all of this is that the Rams have to play two more games know they have zero chance at the #1, while their two division rivals will be playing in the game-of-the-week for it. After pretty much a full year in the driver's seat for it, that has to drive McVay crazy.

Wait, I thought he was unbeatable, like the Rams?

 

[kidhawk]

They're playing the Cards. They'll win easily. Even with backups.

They probably do win but they get two weeks of basically preseason yo get ready for the playoffs. It’s not a bad situation for them. I wish it were.

 

[Zybot]

I’m confident in week 18, but I have some thoughts regarding the 5 seed.

If we get the 5 seed and win AND supposing the Rams and Packers “upset” their opponents.

Who would we play in the divisional round ? It would be Green Bay in Seattle while the Rams go to SF no?

I obviously want the bye, but a path to the SB that keeps us away from having to beat both divisional opponents and staying away from Lambeau isn’t too shabby either no?

I don’t think the game will be in Seattle if we are the 5 or 6 seed unless things have changed recently. Higher seeds (ie Division winners in the wild card round) get home field.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Yep, division winners get the home games in the wild card round.

Can't help but see the similarities of when the Hawks won the Beast Quake game with a 7-9 record, over the SB Champs who had an 11-5 record.
Now, we're going to have a team with a VERY good record traveling to either TB or Carolina. TB could host a playoff game as an 8-9 team.

I bet the media won't freak out like they did when the Hawks hosted with a losing record. Because......Seattle.

 

[kidhawk]

I don’t think the game will be in Seattle if we are the 5 or 6 seed unless things have changed recently. Higher seeds (ie Division winners in the wild card round) get home field.

His scenario says if Rams and Packers win wildcard round. As a 5 seed we would go to either Carolina or Tampa in the wildcard.

 

[keasley45]

They probably do win but they get two weeks of basically preseason yo get ready for the playoffs. It’s not a bad situation for them. I wish it were.

Sure. But guys get hurt in preseason all the time...

 

[James in PA]

What am I missing here? If we lose on Saturday and the Rams win out, wouldn't WE be the #6 seed and therefore have to go to Philly? I would think playing in Tampa Bay or Carolina instead of Philly would be motivation enough for the Rams to NOT rest guys.

 

[Jegpeg]

I don’t think the game will be in Seattle if we are the 5 or 6 seed unless things have changed recently. Higher seeds (ie Division winners in the wild card round) get home field.

Yes but if all 3 WC teams win then the 5th seed are at home to the 6th in the divisional round, I thought that is what they were talking about, it is fairly unlikely but would expect the 5th seed and possibly 6th seed to be the favorites on WC weekend.

 

[Zybot]

Ok now I follow.

 

[Followthelegion]

Yeah just to be clear, Rams will defo be playing hard in remaining two games and won't be resting a huge raft of players as the advantage of being the 5 vs the 6 seed is pretty significant. The 5 gets to go Tampa/Carolina rather than Philly which is in itself a much more appealing proposition. Also, being ranked one seed higher, marginally improves your chances of hosting the NFC conference game. Seattle really have to win this game on Saturday, the difference between the 1 seed and getting the 6 seed and having to go Philly and then probably back to SF = huge.

 

[kidhawk]

Sure. But guys get hurt in preseason all the time...

Nobody said there can’t be any injuries only that it’s a great scenario to maximize health for the playoffs.