NFL playoff picture: What does Rams-Seahawks mean for NFC standings in Week 16

NFL playoff picture: What does Rams-Seahawks mean for NFC standings in Week 16

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The NFL kicks off Week 16 with the biggest matchup of the week. Thursday Night Football will feature the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks hosting the 11-3 Los Angeles Rams. The winner will hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC West, while the loser will be looking at a wild card slot.

The Rams are coming off a tough but critical 41-34 win over the Lions. It was their second straight win and eighth win in nine games. The Seahawks enter the game off an ugly 18-16 win over the Colts. Philip Rivers came back from retirement to nearly lead Indy to victory, but the Seahawks escaped with a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds.

This is the second game between the Rams and Seahawks. LA won at home in Week 11, holding off Seattle in spite of Matthew Stafford throwing four interceptions. The Rams are a 1.5-point road favorite in the matchup.

The Rams clinched a playoff berth this past Sunday, claiming the first spot in the NFC. The Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth this week with a win or a Lions loss. Neither team will clinch the NFC West this week, and it is a good bet the division race comes down to Week 18.

The 49ers sit a game back of the Rams and Seahawks. They split the season series with LA and won the first matchup with Seattle. The 49ers and Seahawks close out the season in Week 18, so this TNF game could turn that matchup into a battle for the division. Heading into Week 16, The Athletic’s playoff simulator gives the Rams a 60% chance of clinching the division, the Seahawks a 27% chance, and the 49ers a 13% chance.

The 49ers travel to face the Colts in Week 18.

The NFC West winner is in a strong position to claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The playoff simulator gives the Rams a 56% chance, the Seahawks, 26% chance, and the 49ers a 12% chance. For the time-being, the Rams hold the No. 1 seed, the Seahawks sit in fifth place, and the 49ers are in sixth place. The 49ers and Bears face off in Week 17, which will decide that tiebreaker. The Bears do not face the Rams or Seahawks this season, so it will come down to conference record, common games record, or any of the other tiebreakers.

This game is huge for the NFC West tiebreaker. A Rams win secures the head-to-head tiebreaker for LA. A Seahawks win splits the series and moves it to divisional record or further down the tiebreaker ladder.

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Deadspin | Panthers pick up QB Bryce Young’s 5th-year option Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Carolina Panthers officially picked up quarterback Bryce Young’s fifth-year option on Wednesday. The move, which Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has been adamant was coming this offseason, keeps the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 with Carolina through the 2027 season. The deadline for fifth-year options to be signed for 2023 first-round picks is May 1. Young is set to make .5 million guaranteed in 2027 under the option, although Morgan has also discussed the possibility of signing the quarterback to a long-term extension. Young, who turns 25 in July, is coming off a season where he set career highs for completion percentage (63.6), passing yards (3,011) and passing touchdowns (23). He led Carolina to its first playoff appearance since 2017 and first NFC South title since 2015. Of Young’s league-leading 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime since he was drafted in 2023, six of them came last season. Over three seasons, Young has thrown for 8,291 yards, 49 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 46 games (44 starts). He has rushed for 718 yards and eight scores and has a 14-30 record as a starter. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Panthers #pick #Bryce #Youngs #5thyear #optionJan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers officially picked up quarterback Bryce Young’s fifth-year option on Wednesday.

The move, which Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has been adamant was coming this offseason, keeps the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 with Carolina through the 2027 season.

The deadline for fifth-year options to be signed for 2023 first-round picks is May 1. Young is set to make $29.5 million guaranteed in 2027 under the option, although Morgan has also discussed the possibility of signing the quarterback to a long-term extension.


Young, who turns 25 in July, is coming off a season where he set career highs for completion percentage (63.6), passing yards (3,011) and passing touchdowns (23). He led Carolina to its first playoff appearance since 2017 and first NFC South title since 2015.

Of Young’s league-leading 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime since he was drafted in 2023, six of them came last season.

Over three seasons, Young has thrown for 8,291 yards, 49 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 46 games (44 starts). He has rushed for 718 yards and eight scores and has a 14-30 record as a starter.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Panthers #pick #Bryce #Youngs #5thyear #option">Deadspin | Panthers pick up QB Bryce Young’s 5th-year option Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Carolina Panthers officially picked up quarterback Bryce Young’s fifth-year option on Wednesday. The move, which Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has been adamant was coming this offseason, keeps the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 with Carolina through the 2027 season. The deadline for fifth-year options to be signed for 2023 first-round picks is May 1. Young is set to make .5 million guaranteed in 2027 under the option, although Morgan has also discussed the possibility of signing the quarterback to a long-term extension. Young, who turns 25 in July, is coming off a season where he set career highs for completion percentage (63.6), passing yards (3,011) and passing touchdowns (23). He led Carolina to its first playoff appearance since 2017 and first NFC South title since 2015. Of Young’s league-leading 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime since he was drafted in 2023, six of them came last season. Over three seasons, Young has thrown for 8,291 yards, 49 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 46 games (44 starts). He has rushed for 718 yards and eight scores and has a 14-30 record as a starter. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Panthers #pick #Bryce #Youngs #5thyear #option

Deadspin | Brooks Koepka commits to alternate-field event ahead of PGA Championship Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Brooks Koepka tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images Brooks Koepka continues to prove his willingness to play in second-tier events as he grinds to stay in good form ahead of the final three 2026 majors. As part of his immediate return to the PGA Tour through the hastily-created Returning Player Program after Koepka parted with LIV Golf, he is ineligible to accept sponsors exemptions into 2026 signature events. With two such events leading up to next month’s PGA Championship, Koepka has committed to next week’s alternate-field event, the Myrtle Beach Classic. Among his five major titles, Koepka has a trio of PGA Championship victories. Myrtle Beach and its million purse present a final tune-up opportunity for Koepka while the majority of the tour’s marquee players will be competing for million at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte. Myrtle Beach does provide an additional opportunity for Koepka. Should he win the event, Koepka would earn a spot into the final two signature events of the season at the Memorial and Travelers championships. Koepka is coming off a missed cut with teammate Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic. That followed a solid T-12 at the Masters. He does have four top-20 finishes in his past five stroke-play events, sitting 59th in the FedEx Cup standings. He was the first alternate two weeks ago at the RBC Heritage, where Koepka was seen waiting out the first-round tee times in the event that someone withdrew. His presence at the Myrtle Beach Classic will provide the third-year event with a rare marquee name. “Having Brooks Koepka commit to the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic is a tremendous moment for our tournament and our community,” tournament director Darren Nelson said, per the Post and Courier. “He’s one of the most accomplished players of his generation, and his presence speaks to the continued momentum of this event on the PGA TOUR calendar.” The PGA Championship will begin May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brooks #Koepka #commits #alternatefield #event #ahead #PGA #ChampionshipApr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Brooks Koepka tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Brooks Koepka continues to prove his willingness to play in second-tier events as he grinds to stay in good form ahead of the final three 2026 majors.

As part of his immediate return to the PGA Tour through the hastily-created Returning Player Program after Koepka parted with LIV Golf, he is ineligible to accept sponsors exemptions into 2026 signature events. With two such events leading up to next month’s PGA Championship, Koepka has committed to next week’s alternate-field event, the Myrtle Beach Classic.

Among his five major titles, Koepka has a trio of PGA Championship victories. Myrtle Beach and its $4 million purse present a final tune-up opportunity for Koepka while the majority of the tour’s marquee players will be competing for $20 million at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte.

Myrtle Beach does provide an additional opportunity for Koepka. Should he win the event, Koepka would earn a spot into the final two signature events of the season at the Memorial and Travelers championships.


Koepka is coming off a missed cut with teammate Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic. That followed a solid T-12 at the Masters. He does have four top-20 finishes in his past five stroke-play events, sitting 59th in the FedEx Cup standings.

He was the first alternate two weeks ago at the RBC Heritage, where Koepka was seen waiting out the first-round tee times in the event that someone withdrew. His presence at the Myrtle Beach Classic will provide the third-year event with a rare marquee name.

“Having Brooks Koepka commit to the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic is a tremendous moment for our tournament and our community,” tournament director Darren Nelson said, per the Post and Courier. “He’s one of the most accomplished players of his generation, and his presence speaks to the continued momentum of this event on the PGA TOUR calendar.”

The PGA Championship will begin May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brooks #Koepka #commits #alternatefield #event #ahead #PGA #Championship">Deadspin | Brooks Koepka commits to alternate-field event ahead of PGA Championship Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Brooks Koepka tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images Brooks Koepka continues to prove his willingness to play in second-tier events as he grinds to stay in good form ahead of the final three 2026 majors. As part of his immediate return to the PGA Tour through the hastily-created Returning Player Program after Koepka parted with LIV Golf, he is ineligible to accept sponsors exemptions into 2026 signature events. With two such events leading up to next month’s PGA Championship, Koepka has committed to next week’s alternate-field event, the Myrtle Beach Classic. Among his five major titles, Koepka has a trio of PGA Championship victories. Myrtle Beach and its million purse present a final tune-up opportunity for Koepka while the majority of the tour’s marquee players will be competing for million at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte. Myrtle Beach does provide an additional opportunity for Koepka. Should he win the event, Koepka would earn a spot into the final two signature events of the season at the Memorial and Travelers championships. Koepka is coming off a missed cut with teammate Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic. That followed a solid T-12 at the Masters. He does have four top-20 finishes in his past five stroke-play events, sitting 59th in the FedEx Cup standings. He was the first alternate two weeks ago at the RBC Heritage, where Koepka was seen waiting out the first-round tee times in the event that someone withdrew. His presence at the Myrtle Beach Classic will provide the third-year event with a rare marquee name. “Having Brooks Koepka commit to the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic is a tremendous moment for our tournament and our community,” tournament director Darren Nelson said, per the Post and Courier. “He’s one of the most accomplished players of his generation, and his presence speaks to the continued momentum of this event on the PGA TOUR calendar.” The PGA Championship will begin May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brooks #Koepka #commits #alternatefield #event #ahead #PGA #Championship

Deadspin | Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders. The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66. “He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.” Flores, 89, didn’t stop there. “He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.” Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it. “He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.” Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor. Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #FloresApr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.

“He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.

“He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”


Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.

“He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”

Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.

Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #Flores">Deadspin | Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders. The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66. “He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.” Flores, 89, didn’t stop there. “He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.” Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it. “He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.” Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor. Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #Flores

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