What Seahawks win over Rams means for NFC West, wild-card standings

Dharya Sharma

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What Seahawks win over Rams means for NFC West, wild-card standings image

The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams met for a pivotal Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Thursday Night, and the Seahawks came away with the biggest victory of their season.

Seattle looked dead in the water for most of the second half, but Mike Macdonald's squad scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and squeaked out a resiliant 38-37 overtime win at home after a Jaxon Smith-Njigba touchdown and successful two-point try.

With their win over the Rams, the Seahawks moved to 12-3, and shook up the NFC West and playoff picture.

NFC West standings

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3)

2. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

3. San Francisco 49ers (10-4, will play Indianapolis Colts in Week 16)

4. Arizona Cardinals (3-11, will play Atlanta Falcons in Week 16)

Not only did the Seahawks take sole possession of first place in the division, but they also avoided the season sweep with the Rams. Los Angeles defeated Seattle by a score of 21-19 back in Week 11.

Seattle still has a lot of work to do in order to secure their first NFC West title since 2020. Los Angeles is still very much alive, and the San Francisco 49ers also have a chance to steal the division. The 49ers handed the Seahawks one of their three losses of the year back in Week 1, so San Francisco currently holds the tiebreaker over Seattle, though both teams will meet once again in Week 18.

NFC playoff picture

The Seahawks clinched a playoff berth with their victory on Thursday Night. Seattle also took control of the No.1 seed in the NFC and will retain that spot heading into Week 17.

Despite the brutal meltdown in Seattle, the Rams have already clinched a playoff spot and still have a path to win the NFC West and steal back the top seed, though the road has gotten tougher. Los Angeles is now the No.5 seed in the playoff race.

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Senior Editor