NFL playoff picture: What Rams win over 49ers mean for NFC standings

Game results: The Rams won an ugly one over the 49ers in a field goal-fest. The Rams won 12-6 to improve to 8-6, while the 49ers drop to 6-8. The Rams move to half a game back of the Seahawks heading into Sunday’s Seahawks-Packers game on Sunday Night Football. The 49ers are not eliminated from playoff contention, but a Seahawks win on Sunday eliminates them from NFC West contention.

The San Francisco 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football to open Week 15. This marks the second matchup between these two and both are scratching and clawing in the playoff race. The Rams won the first game between these two back in Week 3. The 49ers are a 2.5-point favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook for this rematch.

The 49ers are 6-7 and sit in last place in the NFC West. They are tied with the Cardinals, but lost the first matchup with Arizona and don’t play again until Week 18. They are two games back of the Commanders for the final wild card berth, but have the Rams, Falcons, and Cardinals all in front of them in that race. If the 49ers lose this game, they are not eliminated from playoff contention, but if the Seahawks also win, San Francisco would be eliminated from NFC West contention.

The Rams are 7-6 and sit in second place in the NFC West, one game back of the Seahawks. They are in eighth place in the overall NFC standings, one game back of the Commanders. A loss does not eliminate them from playoff or division contention, but it would put them in bad shape, especially if the Commanders and Seahawks win on Sunday.

One random note about playoff implications for this game. The Green Bay Packers can clinch a playoff berth this weekend, but they need some help. If they win, they would clinch a playoff berth if the Falcons lose or tie against the Raiders and if the 49ers and Rams finish in a tie. So, Green Bay will know by the end of the night if a playoff berth is still in play.

A Rams win would lock up the head-to-head tiebreaker over the 49ers and improves them to 3-1 in the divisional tiebreaker with everybody else. It would also give them a 5-5 conference record for the wild card tiebreaker. If San Francisco wins, they would split the season series with LA and improve to 2-3 in the divisional tiebreaker. They would have a 5-5 conference record with the win.