Rams, Week 18 power rankings
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The Falcons intercepted Matthew Stafford three times on a night that Bijan Robinson racked up 229 yards and two touchodwns.
The Buccaneers are looking for revenge after a loss in Charlotte in Week 16, and they have to get it in order to keep their chances at a fifth straight NFC South title hopes alive on Saturday
If the Buccaneers beat the Panthers and then the Falcons follow that up on Sunday with a win over the Saints, that would create a three-way tie at 8-9 and the Panthers would the division in that scenario due to having the best head-to-head record among all three teams.
With the Rams destined for a wild-card spot, here are the four potential opponents ranked from easiest to toughest.
After Atlanta's last-minute upset win over the Rams on Monday night, the Buccaneers now need to beat Carolina on Saturday and have the Saints beat the Falcons on Sunday to win the NFC South
Baker Mayfield faced criticism from head coach Todd Bowles as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit one loss away from being eliminated from playoff contention.
Now that the Rams know they will be the 5th or 6th seed, they're certain to face 1 of 4 teams in the wild-card round.
2don MSN
Falcons upset Rams on Monday Night Football. It was a big help for the Panthers' playoff push
The Atlanta Falcons upset the Los Angeles Rams, 27-24, on Monday Night Football in Atlanta. The Falcons jumped out to a 21-0 lead by halftime, but the Rams clawed their way back in the second half, eventually tying the game late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Puka Nacua.
If the Buccaneers beat the Panthers on Saturday and the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Atlanta would each finish 8-9. The ensuring three-team tie would go to the Panthers, based on a 3-1 record in the round robin among the division rivals.