Rams and Seahawks still have something to fight for after Seattle’s last-second victory
The Rams still have work to do to win their division.
The Seattle Seahawks’ last-second, 30-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday prevented the idle Rams from clinching the NFC West title.
Rams coach Sean McVay had said it would be “pretty cool” if they won the division during their bye week, and joked he “wouldn’t be upset” if his team returned to work Monday with the title in hand. But the 10-1 Rams will have to wait at least until next Sunday for a chance to win consecutive division titles for the first time since 1979.
If the Rams defeat the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, or the Seahawks (6-5) lose to the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams will clinch the NFC West.
They play the Lions and then have remaining games against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, on the road against the Arizona Cardinals, and at home against the 49ers.
The New Orleans Saints, who defeated the Rams, 45-35, also are 10-1 and in the hunt for top seed in the NFC. The Saints play on the road against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, and have games at Tampa Bay and at Carolina before finishing the season at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Panthers.
Rams running back Todd Gurley suffered an ankle injury last week, but McVay said he was not expected to miss any time. Cornerback Aqib Talib, who has been on injured reserve since suffering an ankle injury in Week 3, has been aiming to return for the game against the Lions.
The Rams will practice Monday, take Tuesday off, and then resume preparations for the Lions.
Twitter: @latimesklein
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