NFL playoff picture: What does Lions-Rams mean for NFC standings

One of the biggest games on the Week 15 slate this weekend? A clash between two of the top teams in the NFC with massive playoff implications for both squads.

Sunday afternoon the 10-3 Los Angeles Rams host the 8-5 Detroit Lions. One team is looking to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the other is on the verge of punching their ticket to the postseason.

Let’s dive into the playoff implications for both the Rams and the Lions this weekend.

Detroit Lions playoff picture

If the playoffs began right now, the Lions would be watching on the couch from home.

Detroit sits in the No. 8 spot in the NFC standings, one game behind the 9-4 Chicago Bears for the final playoff spot. But with a win this weekend — and a little bit of help — the Lions can slide back into playoff position. If Detroit beats the Rams and the Bears lose to the Cleveland Browns, the Lions would move up one spot into the No. 7 seed.

Looking at the NFC North, the Lions are currently third in the division, which is led by the Green Bay Packers with a 9-3-1 record. But a win would move the Lions up to second in the division, and if the Packers were to lose to the Denver Broncos, they would fall to 9-4-1 while the Lions would check in at 9-5. That would keep Detroit within striking distance of the Packers, but the Lions have already lost the season series to Green Bay.

However, if the Lions lose to the Rams they would drop to 8-6 on the year, and if results elsewhere break against them, Detroit could be two games out of a playoff spot with three remaining. If the Lions lose, and the Bears and San Francisco 49ers win, Detroit would be 8-6 while both the 49ers and the Bears would be 10-4.

Los Angeles Rams playoff picture

Things are a little easier when it comes to Los Angeles.

The Rams are one of three teams — along with the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots — that can clinch a playoff spot this weekend. With a win over the Lions, Los Angeles would be guaranteed a playoff spot.

However, even with a win the Rams cannot clinch the NFC West this weekend. Entering Week 15, Los Angeles is tied with the Seattle Seahawks atop the division as both teams have 10-3 records. Only the Rams’ win over Seattle a few weeks ago gives them the tiebreaker advantage at the moment.

Still, a win means the Rams are in.

A loss, however, could see the Rams fall as far as the No. 7 seed. Right now they are the top seed in the NFC, but if they lose to the Lions, the Seahawks beat the Indianapolis Colts, and the Green Bay Packers beat the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles would drop to No. 7. The Chicago Bears endured that same fate last week after their loss to the Packers, dropping from No. 1 to No. 7.

That is how tight things are in the NFC.

The winner of this game would have a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage should the two teams finish tied for a playoff spot. However, that scenario only really comes into play with a Detroit win, as a Rams win would clinch a playoff spot for Los Angeles. (It could play a role in seeding if the Rams win on Sunday and the Lions still manage to clinch a spot).

Here are the full NFC playoff standings as Sunday begins, reflecting Thursday night’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons:

Here are the NFC North standings:

The Vikings have been eliminated from winning the NFC North title, but are still mathematically alive as Week 15 begins for a playoff spot.

Here are the NFC West standings ahead of Week 15:

The Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention. Right now, the Rams have the tiebreaker edge over the Seahawks based on head-to-head wins, but those two teams play again in Week 16.