Rams playoff hopes are ‘fiction’ according to SI’s Manzano; “I’m not convinced”
The Rams are just one game behind the division-leading Seahawks and Sean McVay has had Seattle’s number for years, but SI’s Gilbert Manzano called it “Fiction” that the team will be able to rebound in time for another postseason run. Manzano sees the Seahawks or the Arizona Cardinals winning the NFC West and believes this will end the tenures of Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp in L.A..e
Rams’ young playmakers will guide them to the playoffs
Manzano’s view: Fiction
Now for the negative part. I’m not convinced these first- and second-year players will be enough to get the Rams (6–6) into the postseason. There’s been a disconnect offensively and the defense has concerning issues behind the talented defensive front. But Verse and the other young players helped seal the win in New Orleans last week.
As of now, I think the Seahawks (7–5) or Cardinals (6–6) will take the NFC West. But the Rams will be in it until the end because of the young playmakers.
Though Manzano praises Les Snead for picking Jared Verse, he also says that Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is a better bet to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Mitchell is still looking for his first career interception.
The Rams have a clear mission ahead, which is to win more often than they lose and to sweep their last three divisional games: 49ers in Week 15, Cardinals in Week 17, and Seahawks in Week 18.
Should L.A. do that, the Rams stand a very good chance to make the postseason.
Whether they can do that is another question, but at least one writer sees it as a work of fiction, not fact.