Rams-49ers on Thursday night has massive NFC West playoff implications

I know what you’re thinking. Most Thursday night NFL games are pretty meaningless overall and easy to ignore. If you have something else to do on the night right before the weekend starts, you’re usually better off.

Full stop.

But the Thursday evening matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is a bit different. It actually matters a lot to the overall NFC playoff picture, especially for the eventual winner of the NFC West division.

That’s right, dearest. We’re talking PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS. Gasp!

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Well, mainly for the Rams, who are 6-2 in their last eight games after starting a paltry 1-4.

Let’s break it down as concisely as possible:

• If the Rams win on Thursday night, making them a solid 8-6, that puts the onus on the Seahawks. By virtue of Seattle’s overtime loss to the Rams in Week 11, the Seahawks do not have pole position for the NFC West lead at this point in time. If they lose to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night following a Rams win, the Rams become the NFC’s No. 3 seed while the Seahawks temporarily fall out of the playoff picture.
• If the Rams lose and the Seahawks lose, everyone effectively stays in the same place in the division. It would also slightly open the door for the Arizona Cardinals to make some noise, but they need a lot of help after getting swept by the Seahawks. Godspeed, Cardinals fans.

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• If the 49ers win and the Seahawks win, Seattle takes a relatively robust 1.5 division lead into Week 16. Nothing really changes for the 49ers regardless, who are the current No. 11 seed and do not control their own playoff destiny. No matter what, there are a lot of steps left for San Francisco. Dre Greenlaw’s return can only help them so much.
• However, unless the Rams lose again between Thursday and the Week 18 regular-season finale, the Seahawks have no margin for error. Because of that mentioned overtime defeat from earlier in the year, the Rams have the inside track for the NFC West division title, barring a Seattle end-season victory. They will likely be nipping at the Seahawks’ heels for the rest of the year.

Suffice it to say, we’re in for a treat Thursday night in San Francisco.

The suspense is terrible. I hope it lasts.