NFL power rankings: Where do Rams rank among playoff teams?

NFL power rankings: Where do Rams rank among playoff teams?

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

After starting with 32, we’re down to the final 14 teams in the NFL playoffs. The Rams made it as the No. 6 seed in the NFC and will face the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round this Saturday.

It was a rocky season for L.A. that ended on a high note with a win over the Cardinals in Week 17, but the Rams are almost limping into the postseason. Jared Goff is hurt, as is Darrell Henderson. Micah Kiser and Andrew Whitworth have yet to return, while Michael Brockers and Cooper Kupp remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

But all that matters is the Rams are in the playoffs, which gives them a shot at a Super Bowl. While they don’t rank among the best teams still alive, they do boast the No. 1 defense in football, which could carry them deep.

After beating the Cardinals, the Rams moved up three spots in this week’s power rankings at Touchdown Wire, which puts them 12th – ahead of only the Bears and Washington among playoff teams.

Brandon Staley’s unit provided 12 critical points in the second quarter, with a safety due to an offensive holding penalty in the end zone and a Pick-Six from cornerback Troy Hill. That gave the Rams a 12-7 lead in the second quarter and that would be enough on this day.

Of course, the offense remains a question mark whether Jared Goff returns or the team is forced to call upon Wolford on Wild Card Weekend. But with a defense like this, the Rams could still be dangerous.

The Rams already beat three of the six other teams in the NFC playoffs this season, including the team they’ll face on Saturday, the Seahawks. They’re not nearly as explosive offensively as they were in 2018 when they made the Super Bowl, but this defense is as good as it gets and makes L.A. a legitimate threat.

They just have to get past the Seahawks first, which won’t be easy after seeing the way the Rams play against Seattle in Week 16 – a 20-9 loss on the road. The Seahawks are fifth in this week’s power rankings, so they’re viewed as the better team.