Every NFC West team’s division title clinching scenarios after Week 16

The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals are the teams remaining in the NFC West title picture. Here are the clinching scenarios for both teams.

Week 16 is in the books for both the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals. The Rams clinched a playoff berth following their 30-23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Even though the Cardinals lost 22-16 to the Indianapolis Colts on Christmas, the Cardinals still clinched a spot in the postseason after losses by the San Francisco 49ers and Vikings.

The Cardinals and Rams are the only NFC West teams in contention for the division crown. Here are the clinching scenarios for both teams.

How the Rams can win the NFC West

According to the New York Times‘ playoff path simulator, the Rams have a 75 percent chance of winning the division following Week 16.

Los Angeles faces off against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 and the 49ers in Week 18. The easiest path to the NFC West title is for the Rams to win both of those games. But if they were to win only one of their remaining two games, they would still clinch the division as long as Arizona loses one of their last two games on the year. If the Rams lose one of their games and the Cardinals win both, they will receive a Wild Card seed.

How the Cardinals can win the NFC West

The Cardinals have approximately a 25-percent chance of winning the division after Week 16, per the New York Times playoff path simulator.

Arizona has two pivotal games against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 and the Seahawks in Week 18. The Cardinals can not lose any of those contests. Once they do, their chances of winning the division are gone once the Rams pick up one victory in the last two weeks.

So, the Cardinals need to beat the Cowboys and Seahawks, while the Rams to lose to either the Ravens or 49ers to clinch the division.