The Rams have clinched a playoff berth, doing so after a lower-key offseason pointed the team toward a retooling year. But Los Angeles is not locked into a seed just yet. Nevertheless, the team will rest its starting quarterback in Week 18.
Matthew Stafford will take a seat for the Rams’ regular-season finale, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, with Carson Wentz taking the reins for the first time since his November arrival. The Rams added Wentz after Brett Rypien struggled in relief of Stafford in Green Bay.
Los Angeles’ loss in Green Bay is suddenly relevant. If the Packers beat the Bears and the Rams lose to what will likely be a cast of 49ers second-stringers, Green Bay becomes the NFC’s No. 6 seed and Los Angeles drops to the No. 7 spot. The Cowboys and Lions, respectively, are the likely Nos. 2 and 3 seeds in the NFC. This could conceivably derail a Stafford return to Detroit in Round 1, though the 49ers will not be at full strength after having clinched home-field advantage in the NFC bracket.
Wentz signed a one-year deal worth $733K with the Rams on Nov. 7 and immediately became Stafford’s backup. The Rams have seen their starter return to form this season, operating as one of the NFC’s best quarterbacks after multiple injuries nagged him in 2022. Wentz, 31, has now had nearly two months to learn Sean McVay‘s playbook. This represents an audition opportunity for the scrutinized passer, who was not closely linked to a team before the Rams agreement came to pass.
The Eagles, Colts and Commanders have respectively moved on from Wentz over the past three offseasons. After he produced a solid TD-INT ratio in Indianapolis (27 TDs, seven picks), Wentz finished poorly and saw Jim Irsay effectively order him to be dealt. The Commanders traded two third-round picks for the former No. 2 overall choice, but after a season in which Wentz did not get his job back for several weeks after returning from a hand injury, Washington released him to create considerable cap space. Last season, Wentz threw 11 touchdown passes and nine INTs — three of the picks coming in a Week 17 start against the Browns. The Commanders benched him for Sam Howell in Week 18 of last season.
Baker Mayfield‘s signs of life in McVay’s offense helped land him a starting job this season, but Wentz will obviously have a smaller window to showcase his form. But the former Eagles extension recipient will have a chance to play before likely returning to free agency in March.
Stafford ain’t the only regular to be rested. Patrick Mahomes and Joe Flacco are sitting out Week 18 with their respective teams’ seeds locked in.
“Patrick Mahomes and Joe Flacco are sitting out Week 18 with their respective teams’ seeds locked in.”
What a crazy sentence this would have been only a month ago.
Hahhaa facts.
Lamar and Purdy
Hurts probably should since he could use it. They won’t get lucky with Cowboys losing.
Need the Elias Sports Bureau to figure out if a team has ever had a #1 overall pick as it’s #1 QB and a #2 overall pick as it’s #2 QB before.
Lions fans should prefer the Rams over the Packers… None will be easy but the Pack can beat Dallas…
@tigerfan…idk. The rams would put up the better fight I think.
What is the point in watching week 18 football?
The good news is there are a couple of key matchups, including Miami/Buffalo and even Jacksonville/Tennesee, both with playoff implications.
What is the point in watching Week 18? It’s the most wonderful day of the year cos there’s everything to play for.
Brock Purdy better not even dress! This won’t happen, and it’s why Shanahan is so frustrating
Purdy and McCaffrey are being held out with the 49ers clinching the NFC #1 seed.
Hurts has to play cos Philly can poach the NFC East should Dallas derp away the division against the Washington Redskins. (In a stadium that’ll be filled with Cowboy fans.)