How the Rams can still clinch the No. 5 seed after losing to the Falcons

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For the second week in a row, the Los Angeles Rams suffered a painfully deflating loss. After collapsing against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, the Rams almost pulled off a dramatic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

Key word: almost.

They erased a 21-point second-half deficit and tied the game in the fourth quarter, but their comeback came up short. They lost, 27-24, dropping their second consecutive game for the first time this season.

It’s not the way the Rams want to finish the regular season, but all hope is not lost. They can still secure the No. 5 seed and a matchup with either the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round.

How the Rams can clinch the No. 5 seed

Win vs. Cardinals + 49ers loss

There’s now only one path to the No. 5 seed after there were three possible scenarios entering Monday night. If the Rams simply won out and beat the Falcons and Cardinals, they would’ve been guaranteed the No. 5 seed.

Now, they need help from a division rival. The Rams must beat the Cardinals and have the Seahawks beat the 49ers on Saturday night. Los Angeles’ game against Arizona may not even matter because if the 49ers beat the Seahawks on Saturday, the Rams will be locked into the No. 6 seed regardless.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL playoffs: How Rams can clinch No. 5 seed despite loss to Falcons

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