Both the Rams and Chargers are in the playoffs, and the Rams get to host a wild-card game by virtue of clinching the NFC West. For both teams, Sunday is about seeding.
Again, seeding probably isn’t as important in the NFC as the AFC this season, so the Rams might opt to give their starters a breather for Sunday’s game against Seattle. Then again, they risk losing momentum heading into the postseason. Aside from seasoned quarterback Matthew Stafford, they are a pretty young team and their offense has struggled at times to get in the groove.
What’s more, although there might not be a big difference between the three and four seed in the wild-card round, it might be a huge deal in the divisional round. It could wind up being the difference between the Rams playing host to a divisional game or hitting the road, should they win their postseason opener.
As with Pittsburgh, the Chargers likely would be better off as the fifth seed with an opener at Houston. The Steelers have the inside track on that, though, already having beaten the Chargers this season. If Pittsburgh cannot overtake the Ravens for the NFC North crown, it locks up the No. 5 seed with a win over Cincinnati.
So there’s a chance by the time they get to Sunday afternoon, the Chargers will know where they’re headed before their game starts.
