Are Rams proper to relaxation starters towards the Seahawks

For a second consecutive season, the Los Angeles Rams are set to relaxation their starters towards a division opponent in Week 18 of the common season. With a playoff spot all locked up, the Rams might play for seeding. Nonetheless, win or lose, the Rams will open the postseason at house.

That appears to be sufficient for McVay because it was final yr. So long as the Rams are within the dance with Matthew Stafford, they’ve an opportunity. Stated McVay on Wednesday,

“We’re still working through the specifics of how we’re going to approach it. What I can tell you guys is Jimmy Garoppolo will start at quarterback this week. That’ll give Matthew a chance to be able to get some rest. Other than that, that’s kind of really all that I have as it relates to just the approach this week.”

There are questions available on whether or not or not resting Stafford and different starters is the right choice. Final yr, the Rams misplaced to the Lions 24-23 whereas going 0-for-3 within the crimson zone. There’s additionally the instance in 2017 through which the Rams opted to relaxation their starters in Week 17. They hosted the Falcons within the Wild Card spherical, however misplaced 26-13. In each video games, the Rams haven’t scored a landing within the second half.

Because the new playoff format was launched in 2020, groups to relaxation or partially relaxation their starters are simply 3-7. Simply final yr, groups resting their starters had been 1-3 with the lone win coming from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

2020 Steelers misplaced to Browns, 48-37
2021 Eagles misplaced to Buccaneers, 31-15
2021 Bengals defeated Raiders, 26-19
2022 Ravens misplaced to Bengals, 24-17
2022 Buccaneers misplaced to Cowboys, 31-14
2022 Giants defeated Vikings, 31-24
2023 Eagles misplaced to Buccaneers, 32-9
2023 Rams misplaced to Lions, 24-23
2023 Chiefs defeated Dolphins, 26-7
2023 Browns misplaced to Texans, 45-14

That doesn’t essentially imply that resting starters is unhealthy. If Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and so forth. had been to roll an ankle in a pointless sport, they wouldn’t stand an opportunity anyway. The Rams haven’t had a bye week since Week 6 and have earned the privilege to relaxation. Nonetheless, it’s fascinating that with 4 years of knowledge within the new playoff format, solely three groups to relaxation their starters in Week 18 have gone on to win on Wild Card Weekend.

With that mentioned, the factor of seeding does matter. Whereas the playoffs are about merely beating whoever is in entrance of you, there are simpler paths to the Tremendous Bowl than others. Because the three seed, it’s throughout the realm of potentialities that the Rams wouldn’t play on the street till the NFC Championship sport. Simply final yr because the three seed, that’s precisely what occurred to the Lions. The Cowboys acquired upset on wild card weekend, giving the Lions a house sport within the divisional spherical.

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This yr, if the Eagles play the Packers, it might finish in one other upset, giving the No. 3 seed a second house sport. Because the three seed, Philadelphia would even be the one out of doors stadium that the Rams must play at if the 2 groups met.

On the similar time, if the Rams lose and find yourself because the 4 seed, they’d possible play the loser of the Vikings and Lions. These two groups can be enjoying for the NFC’s primary seed on Sunday Evening. Whichever of these groups finally ends up because the fifth seed can be under-seeded and will make noise within the postseason. It’s true that the Rams solely misplaced to the Lions in time beyond regulation and beat the Vikings. Nonetheless, these are two very tough groups.

Any workforce goes to offer its personal set of distinctive challenges. Because the three seed, the Rams would possible play the Washington Commanders. Jayden Daniels has been among the finest working quarterbacks this season. In the meantime, the Rams have allowed the sixth most yards per keep on scrambles. With that mentioned, the Commanders haven’t overwhelmed a workforce with a profitable report on the street this season.

The Rams have made their selection and it shouldn’t be a stunning one contemplating McVay’s historical past. When weighing the risk-reward, McVay’s confidence shines in the truth that he believes this workforce can beat anyone when wholesome. Which will end in making a tougher path, however that’s the route that the Rams have chosen. When the Rams made the Tremendous Bowl in 2021, they did it because the 4 seed. In the event that they relaxation their starters and lose to the Seahawks, that’s the possible path that they’ll should take as soon as once more.