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NFL playoff picture: What does Rams-Falcons mean for NFC standings in Week 17

NFL playoff picture: What does Rams-Falcons mean for NFC standings in Week 17

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The Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons close out the Week 17 slate with a Monday Night Football matchup in Atlanta. The game features a Rams squad headed to the playoffs and a Falcons squad headed home after Week 18 with more questions than answers.

The playoff field has two more slots to fill, but seeding remains in question. We’ll break down where the Rams could end up in the playoff bracket based on their performance this week and next week. The Rams are a 7.5-point road favorite against the Falcons.

Los Angeles Rams playoff picture

The Rams led the NFC West for much of the season, but a loss to the Seahawks in Week 16 sent them down the board. And now that the Seahawks and 49ers both won in Week 17, LA is playing for wild card positioning and nothing more.

LA heads into Monday night with the No. 6 seed in the NFC bracket. They’ll remain in the No. 6 spot regardless of their result tonight. A win would move them into a tie with the 49ers, but San Francisco has the division record tiebreaker. A loss would drop them a game back of the 49ers, but they cannot fall behind the No. 7 seed Packers even with losses this week and next week.

If LA wins their final two games on the road against the Falcons and at home against the Cardinals, they will claim the No. 5 seed. That would mean they would travel to face the NFC South champion in the Wild Card round. They can also claim the No. 5 seed with a loss in Week 17, a win in Week 18, and a 49ers loss in Week 18.

If the Rams lose in Week 18, they would finish with the No. 6 seed. If they lose in Week 17 and the 49ers win in Week 18, they would also finish with the No. 6 seed.

There are no tiebreaker implications that would result from this matchup.

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Deadspin | Longtime Raiders LB Rod Martin dies at 72 Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Linebacker Rod Martin, who spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Raiders and was part of two Super Bowl championships, died at age 72, the team announced on Monday. No cause of death was stated. Martin might be best remembered for his performance in Oakland’s title-winning victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 25, 1981, when he grabbed a still-standing Super Bowl-record three interceptions. The Raiders moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 1982 season, and they won another Super Bowl title to conclude the 1983 campaign. Martin had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in his team’s 38-9 rout of Washington on Jan. 22, 1984. Martin was Oakland’s 12th-round pick out of the University of Southern California in 1977. After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Martin became a mainstay in the Raiders’ lineup, starting 147 of his 165 career games. He made the Pro Bowl after 1983 and 1984 seasons, and he was selected first-time All-Pro in 1984, when he had career highs of 11 sacks and three forced fumbles. Martin wound up credited with 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 56.5 sacks, though sacks weren’t compiled as an official stat until 1982. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Longtime #Raiders #Rod #Martin #diesAug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Linebacker Rod Martin, who spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Raiders and was part of two Super Bowl championships, died at age 72, the team announced on Monday.

No cause of death was stated.

Martin might be best remembered for his performance in Oakland’s title-winning victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 25, 1981, when he grabbed a still-standing Super Bowl-record three interceptions.


The Raiders moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 1982 season, and they won another Super Bowl title to conclude the 1983 campaign. Martin had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in his team’s 38-9 rout of Washington on Jan. 22, 1984.

Martin was Oakland’s 12th-round pick out of the University of Southern California in 1977. After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Martin became a mainstay in the Raiders’ lineup, starting 147 of his 165 career games.

He made the Pro Bowl after 1983 and 1984 seasons, and he was selected first-time All-Pro in 1984, when he had career highs of 11 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Martin wound up credited with 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 56.5 sacks, though sacks weren’t compiled as an official stat until 1982.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Longtime #Raiders #Rod #Martin #dies">Deadspin | Longtime Raiders LB Rod Martin dies at 72 Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Linebacker Rod Martin, who spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Raiders and was part of two Super Bowl championships, died at age 72, the team announced on Monday. No cause of death was stated. Martin might be best remembered for his performance in Oakland’s title-winning victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 25, 1981, when he grabbed a still-standing Super Bowl-record three interceptions. The Raiders moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 1982 season, and they won another Super Bowl title to conclude the 1983 campaign. Martin had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in his team’s 38-9 rout of Washington on Jan. 22, 1984. Martin was Oakland’s 12th-round pick out of the University of Southern California in 1977. After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Martin became a mainstay in the Raiders’ lineup, starting 147 of his 165 career games. He made the Pro Bowl after 1983 and 1984 seasons, and he was selected first-time All-Pro in 1984, when he had career highs of 11 sacks and three forced fumbles. Martin wound up credited with 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 56.5 sacks, though sacks weren’t compiled as an official stat until 1982. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Longtime #Raiders #Rod #Martin #dies

CJ McCollum scored six of his game-high 32 points in the final two-plus minutes Monday night for the visiting ​Atlanta Hawks, which stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the last ‌five minutes to stun the New York Knicks 107-106 ​in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference ⁠first-round series.

The Hawks ended on a 15-6 run to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.

McCollum missed two free throws with 5.6 ‌seconds left. The Knicks had a timeout left, but they pushed the ball up the court and ‌Josh Hart dished to Mikal Bridges, who missed a 12-foot ‌attempt ⁠for the win from the left wing as time ⁠expired.

Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points off the bench for the Hawks while Jalen Johnson (17 points) and Onyeka Okongwu (15 points) also got into double ​figures. Jalen Brunson scored 29 ‌points for the Knicks. Hart recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points.

Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105

Donovan Mitchell scored nine of his 30 points in the ‌fourth quarter and James Harden had 28 points, lifting ​Cleveland over visiting Toronto for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

The Cavaliers beat Toronto ⁠for the 12th straight time in the playoffs, tying the NBA record for consecutive playoff wins over a single opponent. Mitchell added ‌seven boards and five assists, while Harden also had five steals and four assists. Evan Mobley had 25 points and eight rebounds.

Scottie Barnes scored a playoff career-high 26 points for the Raptors, who never led.

Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114

Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds, Donte DiVincenzo hit a clutch ‌3-pointer with 1:05 left, and visiting Minnesota rallied from a 19-point deficit ​to beat Denver in Game 2 to level their playoff series.

NBA Playoffs 2025-26: Hawks rally back to level series with Knicks, Edwards stars as Timberwolves edge Nuggets CJ McCollum scored six of his game-high 32 points in the final two-plus minutes Monday night for the visiting ​Atlanta Hawks, which stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the last ‌five minutes to stun the New York Knicks 107-106 ​in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference ⁠first-round series.The Hawks ended on a 15-6 run to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.McCollum missed two free throws with 5.6 ‌seconds left. The Knicks had a timeout left, but they pushed the ball up the court and ‌Josh Hart dished to Mikal Bridges, who missed a 12-foot ‌attempt ⁠for the win from the left wing as time ⁠expired.Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points off the bench for the Hawks while Jalen Johnson (17 points) and Onyeka Okongwu (15 points) also got into double ​figures. Jalen Brunson scored 29 ‌points for the Knicks. Hart recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points.Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105Donovan Mitchell scored nine of his 30 points in the ‌fourth quarter and James Harden had 28 points, lifting ​Cleveland over visiting Toronto for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.The Cavaliers beat Toronto ⁠for the 12th straight time in the playoffs, tying the NBA record for consecutive playoff wins over a single opponent. Mitchell added ‌seven boards and five assists, while Harden also had five steals and four assists. Evan Mobley had 25 points and eight rebounds.Scottie Barnes scored a playoff career-high 26 points for the Raptors, who never led.Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds, Donte DiVincenzo hit a clutch ‌3-pointer with 1:05 left, and visiting Minnesota rallied from a 19-point deficit ​to beat Denver in Game 2 to level their playoff series. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds in the team’s win over the Denver Nuggets. | Photo Credit: AP Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds in the team’s win over the Denver Nuggets. | Photo Credit: AP Julius Randle had 24 points and ⁠nine rebounds and hit two free throws with 18.8 seconds left to ⁠help Minnesota even the Western Conference quarterfinal matchup. DiVincenzo finished with 16 points and Jaden McDaniels had ‌14 points.Jamal Murray had 30 points for the second straight game, and Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds ​and eight assists for Denver, which lost for the first time since March 18.Published on Apr 21, 2026 #NBA #Playoffs #Hawks #rally #level #series #Knicks #Edwards #stars #Timberwolves #edge #Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds in the team’s win over the Denver Nuggets. | Photo Credit: AP

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds in the team’s win over the Denver Nuggets. | Photo Credit: AP

Julius Randle had 24 points and ⁠nine rebounds and hit two free throws with 18.8 seconds left to ⁠help Minnesota even the Western Conference quarterfinal matchup. DiVincenzo finished with 16 points and Jaden McDaniels had ‌14 points.

Jamal Murray had 30 points for the second straight game, and Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds ​and eight assists for Denver, which lost for the first time since March 18.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Hawks #rally #level #series #Knicks #Edwards #stars #Timberwolves #edge #Nuggets">NBA Playoffs 2025-26: Hawks rally back to level series with Knicks, Edwards stars as Timberwolves edge Nuggets CJ McCollum scored six of his game-high 32 points in the final two-plus minutes Monday night for the visiting ​Atlanta Hawks, which stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the last ‌five minutes to stun the New York Knicks 107-106 ​in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference ⁠first-round series.The Hawks ended on a 15-6 run to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.McCollum missed two free throws with 5.6 ‌seconds left. The Knicks had a timeout left, but they pushed the ball up the court and ‌Josh Hart dished to Mikal Bridges, who missed a 12-foot ‌attempt ⁠for the win from the left wing as time ⁠expired.Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points off the bench for the Hawks while Jalen Johnson (17 points) and Onyeka Okongwu (15 points) also got into double ​figures. Jalen Brunson scored 29 ‌points for the Knicks. Hart recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points.Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105Donovan Mitchell scored nine of his 30 points in the ‌fourth quarter and James Harden had 28 points, lifting ​Cleveland over visiting Toronto for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.The Cavaliers beat Toronto ⁠for the 12th straight time in the playoffs, tying the NBA record for consecutive playoff wins over a single opponent. Mitchell added ‌seven boards and five assists, while Harden also had five steals and four assists. Evan Mobley had 25 points and eight rebounds.Scottie Barnes scored a playoff career-high 26 points for the Raptors, who never led.Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds, Donte DiVincenzo hit a clutch ‌3-pointer with 1:05 left, and visiting Minnesota rallied from a 19-point deficit ​to beat Denver in Game 2 to level their playoff series. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds in the team’s win over the Denver Nuggets. | Photo Credit: AP Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds in the team’s win over the Denver Nuggets. | Photo Credit: AP Julius Randle had 24 points and ⁠nine rebounds and hit two free throws with 18.8 seconds left to ⁠help Minnesota even the Western Conference quarterfinal matchup. DiVincenzo finished with 16 points and Jaden McDaniels had ‌14 points.Jamal Murray had 30 points for the second straight game, and Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds ​and eight assists for Denver, which lost for the first time since March 18.Published on Apr 21, 2026 #NBA #Playoffs #Hawks #rally #level #series #Knicks #Edwards #stars #Timberwolves #edge #Nuggets

Deadspin | Wyatt Johnston tallies twice as Stars level series vs. Wild Apr 20, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) stops a shot by Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Wyatt Johnston scored two goals as the Dallas Stars bounced back with a 4-2 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Monday night in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series. Matt Duchene finished with a goal and an assist for Dallas, which evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1. The set will shift to Saint Paul, Minn., for the next two games, starting with Game 3 on Wednesday night. Jason Robertson added a goal for the Stars, Nils Lundkvist logged two assists. Goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 29 of 31 shots for the victory. Brock Faber scored both goals for Minnesota, on assists from Quinn Hughes. Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt allowed three goals on 31 shots. Dallas opened the scoring on an unlikely goal 8:58 into the first period. Johnston fired a slap shot wide right that ricocheted off the end boards and banked in off Wallstedt. The Wild evened the score at 1-all less than three minutes later. Faber weaved through traffic and flicked a wrist shot from the slot for his first career playoff goal. The Stars grabbed a 2-1 lead on a power-play goal with 15:58 left in the second period. Mikko Rantanen slid a pass toward the front of the crease for Duchene, who punched in a one-timer to put Dallas back on top. Dallas grabbed a two-goal lead with 12:51 left in the third period. Lundkvist fired a wrist shot from the point, and Robertson deflected the puck into the net. The Wild quickly responded to pull within 3-2 with 10:13 to go. Faber took a pass from Joel Eriksson Ek and beat Oettinger on his stick side for his second goal of the game. Johnston added an empty-net goal with 49.7 seconds left to seal the victory. Minnesota forward Yakov Trenin exited the game and did not return after absorbing a crushing check from Stars forward Colin Blackwell at center ice in the first period. The Wild played the rest of the contest with 11 forwards instead of 12, which forced coach John Hynes to shuffle some of his lines. The Wild also played without forward Mats Zuccarello, who was a late scratch because of an upper-body injury. Bobby Brink made his playoff debut in Zuccarello’s place. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Wyatt #Johnston #tallies #Stars #level #series #WildApr 20, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) stops a shot by Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Wyatt Johnston scored two goals as the Dallas Stars bounced back with a 4-2 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Monday night in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Matt Duchene finished with a goal and an assist for Dallas, which evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1. The set will shift to Saint Paul, Minn., for the next two games, starting with Game 3 on Wednesday night.

Jason Robertson added a goal for the Stars, Nils Lundkvist logged two assists. Goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 29 of 31 shots for the victory.

Brock Faber scored both goals for Minnesota, on assists from Quinn Hughes. Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt allowed three goals on 31 shots.

Dallas opened the scoring on an unlikely goal 8:58 into the first period. Johnston fired a slap shot wide right that ricocheted off the end boards and banked in off Wallstedt.

The Wild evened the score at 1-all less than three minutes later. Faber weaved through traffic and flicked a wrist shot from the slot for his first career playoff goal.


The Stars grabbed a 2-1 lead on a power-play goal with 15:58 left in the second period. Mikko Rantanen slid a pass toward the front of the crease for Duchene, who punched in a one-timer to put Dallas back on top.

Dallas grabbed a two-goal lead with 12:51 left in the third period. Lundkvist fired a wrist shot from the point, and Robertson deflected the puck into the net.

The Wild quickly responded to pull within 3-2 with 10:13 to go. Faber took a pass from Joel Eriksson Ek and beat Oettinger on his stick side for his second goal of the game.

Johnston added an empty-net goal with 49.7 seconds left to seal the victory.

Minnesota forward Yakov Trenin exited the game and did not return after absorbing a crushing check from Stars forward Colin Blackwell at center ice in the first period. The Wild played the rest of the contest with 11 forwards instead of 12, which forced coach John Hynes to shuffle some of his lines.

The Wild also played without forward Mats Zuccarello, who was a late scratch because of an upper-body injury. Bobby Brink made his playoff debut in Zuccarello’s place.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Wyatt #Johnston #tallies #Stars #level #series #Wild">Deadspin | Wyatt Johnston tallies twice as Stars level series vs. Wild Apr 20, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) stops a shot by Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Wyatt Johnston scored two goals as the Dallas Stars bounced back with a 4-2 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Monday night in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series. Matt Duchene finished with a goal and an assist for Dallas, which evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1. The set will shift to Saint Paul, Minn., for the next two games, starting with Game 3 on Wednesday night. Jason Robertson added a goal for the Stars, Nils Lundkvist logged two assists. Goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 29 of 31 shots for the victory. Brock Faber scored both goals for Minnesota, on assists from Quinn Hughes. Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt allowed three goals on 31 shots. Dallas opened the scoring on an unlikely goal 8:58 into the first period. Johnston fired a slap shot wide right that ricocheted off the end boards and banked in off Wallstedt. The Wild evened the score at 1-all less than three minutes later. Faber weaved through traffic and flicked a wrist shot from the slot for his first career playoff goal. The Stars grabbed a 2-1 lead on a power-play goal with 15:58 left in the second period. Mikko Rantanen slid a pass toward the front of the crease for Duchene, who punched in a one-timer to put Dallas back on top. Dallas grabbed a two-goal lead with 12:51 left in the third period. Lundkvist fired a wrist shot from the point, and Robertson deflected the puck into the net. The Wild quickly responded to pull within 3-2 with 10:13 to go. Faber took a pass from Joel Eriksson Ek and beat Oettinger on his stick side for his second goal of the game. Johnston added an empty-net goal with 49.7 seconds left to seal the victory. Minnesota forward Yakov Trenin exited the game and did not return after absorbing a crushing check from Stars forward Colin Blackwell at center ice in the first period. The Wild played the rest of the contest with 11 forwards instead of 12, which forced coach John Hynes to shuffle some of his lines. The Wild also played without forward Mats Zuccarello, who was a late scratch because of an upper-body injury. Bobby Brink made his playoff debut in Zuccarello’s place. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Wyatt #Johnston #tallies #Stars #level #series #Wild

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