The Los Angeles Rams enter Week 18 with one of the more interesting decision paths in the NFL.
They can't win the NFC West Division, but there is still something to play for, and that could impact how much Matthew Stafford and the rest of the starters play against the Arizona Cardinals.
It all depends how much the Rams want to dictate their first-round matchup in the playoffs.
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What do the Rams have to play for in Week 18?
The Los Angeles Rams will either end up as the No. 5 seed in the NFC or the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
They'll be the 5-seed with a win, and the 6-seed with a loss.
There's a big difference potentially, to those two seeds.
As the No. 5 seed, the Rams would go on the road in the first round of the playoffs to take on the NFC South champion, which will be one of the 8-9 Buccaneers or 8-9 Panthers.
As the 6-seed, L.A. Would have to either go to Philly to play the Eagles or to Chicago to play the Bears.
The Rams would be much more favored to win against the lowly NFC South champion as opposed to those two formidable foes.
Are the Rams playing their starters?
Sean McVay already said even if there was nothing to play for, he planned to play his starters.
In the past, McVay hasn't played his starters much in relatively meaningless scenarios.
This, however, doesn't feel meaningless. It seems like the Rams will play their main pieces until victory and the No. 5 seed are secure.
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