Rams' Slip-Up Rekindles Seahawks' NFC West Hopes - But the Real Test Is Coming
Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers wasn’t just surprising - it was uncharacteristic. Matthew Stafford, typically one of the league’s more careful quarterbacks, gave the ball away in ways we haven’t seen all season.
And while every team is entitled to an off day, this one stung a little more for the Los Angeles Rams because, let’s be honest, they should’ve handled Carolina. The Panthers aren’t the same team they were a few years ago, and the Rams, on paper and on film, are clearly on another level.
But the NFL doesn’t run on paper. And now, thanks to that stumble, the NFC West just got a whole lot more interesting.
Enter the Seattle Seahawks.
With their win over the Minnesota Vikings, the Seahawks now sit at 9-3 - same as the Rams. But here’s the kicker: despite the matching records, the Rams still hold the tiebreaker thanks to a head-to-head win earlier this season. So if the playoffs started today, LA would take the division crown, and Seattle would be looking at a wildcard spot.
Still, Sunday’s result cracked open a door that had been slowly closing for Seattle. And now the question is: can they kick it open?
The answer starts with taking care of business next weekend against the Atlanta Falcons. That’s the immediate task.
But the real circle-on-the-calendar moment comes in Week 15, when the Rams roll into Seattle for the rematch. That game could decide not just the division, but potentially shape the entire NFC playoff picture.
Of course, if the Seahawks want to dream even bigger - say, about the No. 1 seed - they’ll need more help. The Chicago Bears would need to falter down the stretch, and the Philadelphia Eagles are still a bit of a wild card themselves.
But one thing’s for sure: both the Rams and Seahawks are looking more complete than Philly right now. The talent, the execution, the momentum - it’s all trending in the right direction for the NFC West contenders.
Still, none of that matters if Seattle doesn’t handle its business in the weeks ahead. Every game from here on out carries playoff weight. And while the Week 15 showdown is shaping up to be a heavyweight bout, it only matters if both teams keep stacking wins leading into it.
So yes, the Rams’ loss was a gift for Seattle. But it’s only valuable if they use it. The Seahawks have been handed a lifeline in the NFC West race - now it’s on them to make it count.