Here we are at the bye week of the 2006 season. The Rams are a playoff contender as they sit right now at 4-2. The real question is will they be in the playoffs when the regular season ends? Our new coaching staff combined with the addition of some key players have certainly given us hope.
How does our competition look? First of all our competitors are the entire NFC Conference. As we all know there are 16 teams that make up the NFC Conference. 6 teams will have qualified for the playoffs at the end of the season. 4 division winners and 2 wildcard teams.
Looks like there are 5 teams that are for all intent and purposes out of the playoff picture. Those teams are the Lions (1-5), Cardinals (1-5), Packers (1-4), Buccaneers (1-4) and the Whiners (2-4). The Redskins are (2-4) as well but I've separated them from the pack of 5. In my opinion the Redskins are better than their (2-4) record indicates. Last seasons Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers were (7-5) before they went on their undefeated run right through the Superbowl. It's highly unlikely that the Redskins will be able to make a run like that. Putting them a notch ahead of the dreaded 5 is my way of saying they have the best chance of pulling off a miracle run. So that leaves us with 10 teams fighting for the 6 playoff positions.
After examing the remaining teams schedules, I've come up with a formula that helps predict who/whom the final 6 will be.
Abreviations:
vwg=very winnable games
thg= tough home games
drg= difficult road games
Rams (4-2)
vwg=(4)vs.KC,vs.SF,vs.Az,@Oak
thg=(2)vs.Chi,vs.Wash
drg=(4)@Sd,@Sea,@Car,@Min
So in my opinion I have the Rams winning the 4 vwg and 1 thg and 1 of the
drg for a final record of (10-6).
Seahawks (4-1)
vwg=(7)@KC,vs.Oak,@SF,vs.GB,@Az,vs.SF,@TB
thg=(3)vs.Minn,vs.Rams,vs.Sd
drg=(1)@Den
Final Record (13-3)
Bears (6-0)
vwg=(6)vs.SF,vs.Mia,@Jets,vs.TB,vs.Det,vs.GB
thg=(1)vs.Minn
drg=(3)@NYG,@NE,@Rams
Final Record (14-2)
Vikings (3-2)
vwg=(7)@SF,vs.GB,@Mia,vsAz,@Det,vs.Jets,vs.GB
thg=(2)vs.NE,vs.Rams
drg=(2)@Sea,@Chi
Final Record (10-6)
Saints (5-1)
vwg=(2)@TB,vs.SF
thg=(4)vs.Bal,vs.Cin,vs.Wash,vs.Car
drg=(4)@Pitts,@Atl,@Dal,@NYG
Final Record (10-6)
Panthers (4-2)
vwg=(1)vs.TB
thg=(5)vs.Dal,vs.Rams,vs.Phl,vs.NYG,vs.Pitts
drg=(4)@Cin,@Wash,@Atl,@NO
Final Record (11-5)
Falcons (3-2)
vwg=(3)@Det,vs.Cleve,@TB
thg=(4)vs.Pitts,vs.NO,vs.Dal,vs.Car
drg=(4)@Cin,@Bal,@Wash,@Phl
Final Record (9-7)
Eagles (4-2)
vwg=(2)@TB,vs.Tenn
thg=(3)vs.Jax,vs.Wash,vs.Atl
drg=(5)@Indy,@Car,@Wash,@NYG,@Dal
Final Record (10-6)
Cowboys (3-2)
vwg=(3)@Az,vs.TB,vs.Det
thg=(4)vs.NYG,vs.Indy,vs.NO,vs.Phl
drg=(4)@Car,@Wash,@NYG,@Atl
Final Record (10-6)
Giants (3-2)
vwg=(3)vs.TB,vs.Hou,@Tenn
thg=(4)vs.Chi,vs.Dal,vs.Phl,vs.NO
drg=(4)@Dal,@Jax,@Car,@Wash
Final Record (10-6)
Final Standings:
NFC WEST
Seahawks(13-3)
Rams(10-6)
Cards(whatever)
Whiners(whatever)
NFC NORTH
Bears(14-2)
Vikings(10-6)
Lions(whatever)
Packers(whatever)
NFC SOUTH
Panthers(11-5)
Saints(10-6)
Falcons(9-7)
Buccaneers(whatever)
NFC EAST
Eagles(10-6)
Cowboys(10-6)
Giants(10-6)
Redskins(whatever)
The way I have this playing out the Rams are going to be in a 5 way tie for one of the 2 wildcard spots. The last game of the season we play @ Minn..
That game is going to be huge. Head to Head is a key factor in tiebreaker situations. There are a several categories that apply to the tiebreaker procedures. For the rules go to (
http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakers).
This has been fun and I hope for some feed back on how others in the Clan see the rest of the season playing out.
To answer the original question, Will the Rams be a playoff team at seasons end? Yes, by the hair of their chinny chin chin. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
:r :r :r
Linear Mode
