Coming off a 13-3 season and Super Bowl appearance, the Los Angeles Rams were one of the favorites to win it all. They returned many of the same starters and even seemed poised to improve on defense, but after eight weeks, they sit at 5-3 – third place in the NFC West.
Based on FiveThirtyEight’s Elo ratings, the Rams had a 60% chance to make the playoffs entering Week 1. Since their somewhat rocky start, and with the 49ers controlling the division at 8-0, the Rams’ odds have plummeted.
Now, they have just a 44% chance to reach the postseason and a 6% chance to win the division – down from 46% to begin the year. Neither of those are great odds, and unless the 49ers collapse in the second half of the season, there’s almost no chance the Rams win their third straight NFC West title.
Los Angeles’ Super Bowl odds are down to just 2%, as well, after beginning the year with a 7% chance of winning it all – tied for fourth-best in the NFL.
Of course, anything can happen in the NFL and the Rams certainly have the talent to be the last team standing, but getting into the playoffs is the first hurdle. As the No. 7 seed right now, they have some work to do in the second half of the season, likely needing at least five more wins to have a chance.
They first need to take care of the Steelers on Sunday, who are led by backup quarterback Mason Rudolph.
