The Los Angeles Rams are tied for the best record in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks at 5-2, but they’re temporarily in a wild card spot as they approach midseason because L.A. has yet to win a conference
game. However, if the Rams had tied the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago, then L.A. would be alone in first place and tied with the Green Bay Packers for the best record in the NFC.
The topic of “Should the Rams have played for a tie against the Niners?” was barely allowed to be broached after they lost to San Francisco on Thursday Night Football — how dare a team kick a tying field goal in overtime with under 4 minutes left even though L.A. could have still won the game if they did? — but Week 8 is the first time that the ramifications of losing to the 49ers are readily apparent in the standings.
If the Rams were 5-1-1, they would be tied with the Packers for the best record in the NFC and currently hold the 2 seed. If the Rams were 5-1-1, the 49ers would only be 4-3-1, instead of 5-3. If the Rams had tied the 49ers, they could have seriously jeopardized San Francisco’s chances of making the playoffs.
If the Rams had tied the 49ers, they would only have one NFC loss instead of two. They would have zero division losses, instead of one.
Even with the standings looking like they do, I know that this will not change anyone’s mind about Week 5’s decision to run the ball on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal, tying the game, and trying to get one more stop against the 49ers. Fans who are vehemently against tying the game in that moment will not change their minds before we even hit the official midpoint of the season.
Fair enough. A lot change in the next two months. A tie might not play any role in the NFC playoff standings.
However, now we get our first official look at the implications of 5-2 vs. 5-1-1. The Rams could be tied for the best record in the NFC and could have gained an advantage in the race for the NFC West title and the all-important number one seed. Instead, they are tied for the division lead with the Seahawks and have the same number of wins as the 49ers rather than having one more win than the 49ers.
Nobody wants their team to play for a tie unless it helps their playoff chances. But just because it happens in Week 5 and not Week 18 doesn’t mean it doesn’t impact your playoff chances.
