NFC playoff picture: Where Rams stand after Week 11 win

Needing a win to keep pace with the Seattle Seahawks and stay ahead of the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business on Monday night to close out Week 11. They beat the Buccaneers 27-24 on the road, improving their record to 7-3 – including 2-0 in the second half of the season so far.

Up next, they’ll get a banged-up 49ers team at home, which is another very winnable game. The Rams’ rise up the NFC standings has been impressive and it may not be done yet. After Week 11, the Rams are currently second in the conference, holding the No. 2 seed in the playoff picture.

Here’s how the NFC looks, with each team’s upcoming opponent in Week 12.

1. Saints (8-2): at Broncos

2. Rams (7-3): vs. 49ers

3. Packers (7-3): vs. Bears

4. Eagles (3-6-1): vs. Seahawks

5. Seahawks (7-3): at Eagles

6. Buccaneers (7-4): vs. Chiefs

7. Cardinals (6-4): at Patriots

If the Rams beat the 49ers and the Saints somehow lose to the Broncos – which is possible without Drew Brees – Los Angeles would take over the No. 1 spot in the NFC. It would own the tiebreaker over the Saints based on conference record, putting the Rams in the driver’s seat the rest of the way.

There’s a huge advantage that comes with earning the top seed this year, because it’s the only spot that gets a first-round bye. In years past, the top two seeds skipped straight to the divisional round. This year, all but one team in each conference will play on wild-card weekend.

The downside of being the No. 2 seed is that you’ll have likely to face a team like the Bucs, Seahawks or Cardinals in the first round. Whereas the No. 5 seed, currently owned by the Seahawks, would play the 3-6-1 Eagles on wild-card weekend. Granted, that game would be on the road, but it beats having to face a team that’s above .500 in the first round.