Los Angeles Rams' Newfound Playoff Hopes Shine Even Brighter With Win Over Browns

The Los Angeles Rams' playoff chances grew even brighter with a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Rams of old are not today's Los Angeles Rams. That much is certain.

The team that was once 3-6 in the NFL is now 6-6 after a 36-19 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, and the turnaround in recent weeks has been nothing short of remarkable.

Sure, teams go on three-game winning streaks all the time, but the Rams have done so at a critical juncture of their season. Without a one-point win over the Seattle Seahawks two weeks ago, this streak would not have been sparked, and the Rams would not have found themselves knee-deep in the playoff conversation at the end of Week 13.

Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek (18) walks after a play in the first half in a game against the Cleveland Browns at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports / © Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers will not be caught in the NFC West barring some form of divine intervention, but a wild card berth is certainly attainable at this point, and perhaps the Rams are getting hot at the right time.

It wouldn't be the first time a wild card team found itself in that situation. Who remembers the New York Giants team in 2007? It's always better to have playoff games at home, but it's not unheard of for a team to get hot late and go on a tear in the playoffs.

There is still a lot of football left to be played, but if you're a Rams fan, these last three weeks have to have piqued your interest in this team again. Matthew Stafford looks good, and Kyren Williams' return has provided positive dividends for this offense, one that was able to shoot past the Browns' vaunted defense on Sunday.

Rams Earn Critical Win Over Cleveland Browns

Next week is a real test. The Rams travel to face one of the NFL's top teams in the Baltimore Ravens, and in that opponent, a stout offense is paired with a dangerous defense. 

For now, however, L.A. doesn't have to worry about that. The preparation for Baltimore will come, but the Rams can simply enjoy the fact that their season is still alive after Week 13, and it's in better shape than it's been all year.