BALTIMORE — Aren’t west coast teams that play in a controlled climate supposed to suffer in bad weather? It seems as though the Rams didn’t care one bit. Even in a brutal loss that saw the Rams take a Super Bowl contending Ravens team to overtime, Matthew Stafford looked great, and Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp did whatever they could to keep the Rams in the game throughout. 

The Rams are now 6-7 and in the 8th seed looking into the playoff picture.

Here are my three takeaways:

This Team Is Legitimately Good 

The weather was horrible, the field was slippery, but the Rams seemed to still play an amazing offensive game. The Ravens came in with one of the best records in the league, leading the AFC North at 9-3, and have one of the best defenses in all of football. Matthew Stafford proceeded to throw three touchdowns in his third straight game (the only quarterback in that span to do so), Kyren Williams had 25 carries for 114 yards, and Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp each had excellent games in bad weather. That is absolutely remarkable for a team hat many thought would be sitting players at this point in the year, and further proves why this Rams’ team can compete with the best in the league. 

Matthew Stafford is a Top 5 Quarterback Right Now  

You don’t have to argue with me on this point, just look up the quarterback’s stats over his last 4 games. He has 992 yards, 11 touchdown passes, and only 2 interceptions with a passer rating of 102.2 in those four games, and has gotten healthier every week. After his hip and thumb injuries, there were questions as to if Stafford would play again this season. 

Some teams would be sitting at 3-6 and just throw in the towel. Not Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. They have gathered this team together and rallied 3 wins in their last 4 games, with the playoff picture firmly within their grasp. As long as Stafford remains upright and in good health, this team can compete with any in football and Stafford is the perfect guy to lead them through it. 

Easier Schedule Ahead

There is more than a chance that this Rams team can make the playoffs, even with this loss to Baltimore. The Rams stand at 6-7 after Week 13, and are one game behind the Packers and Vikings in the standings. However, the schedule gets significantly easier, although there are no easy wins in the NFL. They play the Commanders and Saints back-to-back at home, then the Giants and 49ers on the road. I know you are sitting here and saying, “well the 49ers are the best team in football, how is this easy?”

Well, San Francisco could very well be sitting most of their starters if they are firmly in a seed where they can’t move up or down, which then gives the Rams a golden opportunity to steal a game in Santa Clara. The Rams are also significantly more talented and better coached than the Commanders, Saints, and Giants. Will they be easy games to win? Absolutely not. Can the Rams win out and get a playoff spot? Absolutely. It is going to be a fun final 4 weeks.

The Rams now head home to take on the Washington Commanders. Kickoff is set for 1:05 PM PST.