NFL playoff picture: How the Rams clinched a playoff spot in Week 15

Update: With their win over the Detroit Lions, the Los Angeles Rams have secured a playoff spot.

Previous:We have reached that magical time of the season where NFL teams can start locking down playoff spots.

The Los Angeles Rams are one such team.

The Rams take on the Detroit Lions this week at SoFi Stadium, in a game with playoff implications for both teams. For Detroit, the Lions are fighting to stay in the hunt. If the playoffs began today, the Lions would be on the outside looking in, as they are currently 8th in the NFC.

But the Rams can clinch a spot this weekend.

Here’s how.

The Los Angeles Rams have just one path to a playoff spot in Week 15, but it is rather straightforward.

With a win over the Detroit Lions, the Rams are back in the playoffs.

It is also worth noting that this would not clinch the NFC West for Los Angeles. The Seahawks and Rams have matching 10-3 records heading into Week 15, and the Rams currently hold a tiebreaker edge thanks to their win over Seattle. That means the NFC West title will have to wait at least one more week.

And do not count the surging San Francisco 49ers out in this race.

Looking ahead, here are the four games left on the Rams’ schedule:

Here are the current NFC playoff standings:

NFC West standings entering Week 15

Here are the NFC West standings entering Week 15: