Hope you had a very Merry Christmas, everyone.

It's been a long layoff since LA's last contest, and unfortunately, a long wait to get rid of the bitter taste of that defeat in Seattle.

After playing the first game of Week 16, now the Rams travel to Atlanta for the final game of Week 17. Between now and then, the range of outcomes runs the gamut, and we'll touch on those momentarily.

But first, we know the Rams and Falcons brokered a draft night deal back in April, and so we've been following the Falcons fortunes all season. The possibility of harvesting a Top 10 pick is certainly appealing, and a head-to-head win on Monday makes that entirely possible.

However, that delayed gratification is still months away and can only benefit a future version of this franchise. For the time being, let's focus on the one selection the Rams are aiming for in the present – the last pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

So What's The Scenario?

Having coughed up control of the division and conference, it's a very narrow path back to the top of the NFC West.

LA needs to get to 13-4 and the Rams need Seattle and San Francisco to lose at least one more time, each.

If either the Seahawks (in Carolina) or the 49ers (hosting Chicago on a short rest) stumble, then the rival that falters needs to bounce back and win the Week 18 meeting between them in Santa Clara. If they both trip up Sunday, the coast is clear for LA.

For the Rams to ascend back to the top of the NFC, they'll need the Bears to lose, as well (either this week or in the finale versus Detroit).

There's also the possibility that Seattle and San Francisco both win Sunday, and that the Rams kick off in Atlanta with no hope of defending the West and their only incentive to finish as the NFC's fifth seed.

Far From the Finished

Here's a non-comprehensive look at the shenanigans that had to occur for the Rams to lose a game against arguably the NFL's toughest schedule:

➡️ Philadelphia – Two blocked field goals on the Rams final two drives.

➡️ San Francisco – A first down fumble inside the Niners 25-yard line. Another lost fumble on their one-yard line in overtime. Multiple drops. An extra point blocked.

➡️ Carolina – A three-turnover game from the MVP front-runner who had thrown 28 straight touchdowns since his most recent interception. Three explosive touchdowns surrendered by the Rams defense on third-and-long (once) or fourth down (twice), and generally allowing the Panthers to go 10-of-18 on those money downs.

➡️ Seattle – Three eight-point possessions by the Seahawks. An absurd illegal man downfield on the first play following an injury to Kevin Dotson (that led to a suspension). Yielding a give-up run for 17 yards on third-and-16. A delayed review and overturn heretofore unearthed in the NFL rulebook.

None of which excuses any of those losses.

That's not my purpose. My only aim is to justify why the Rams can and should be immensely confident in their 11-4 record, especially if and when they face any of the four opponents who have defeated them in January, and especially if Davante Adams and Quentin Lake are ready to roll.

This is for another day, but the playoffs are shaping up to be a Rams Revenge Tour.

Down, Not Out

If you missed this week's Coach McVay Show finale, I still think it's worth your time to get a sense of the intensity the Rams are going to bring to this closing stretch.

"You know what I said to myself?" Sean McVay shared with the team (and in turn, with us) when they reconvened on Monday. "What a cool thing to do something that takes you to the highest of highs… A lot of people, they yearn to find something that lights (them up) or takes (them) to some of the tough moments that this game does when you're doing it with the people you love and care about."

The perfect summation of why I love being adjacent to Rams football.

Bird's The Word

As for game notes going to Atlanta to face the Falcons…

The last time the Rams lost in overtime to a division rival on Thursday Night Football they responded with a convincing, authoritative six-game winning streak. Count with me, now: Falcons, Cardinals, Wild Card (if necessary), Divisional Round, NFC Championship, Super Bowl LX.

How cool is it that the only two players in NFL history with 165 yards receiving in three straight games are both Rams? Puka Nacua joined Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce (Weeks 5-8, 1995) and has 573 receiving yards over his last three contests. Nacua needs only two catches on Monday to become the fastest player to reach 300 career receptions (43 games).

LA is fourth in the NFL with 24 takeaways. Kirk Cousins has four giveaways in his last three games.

Only the Denver Broncos (63) have more sacks than the Falcons (50). In terms of their draft strategy, mission accomplished. Especially with respect to trading up to 26 with the Rams, James Pearce leads the Falcons with 8.5 sacks (a franchise rookie record). Atlanta has multiple sacks in eight straight games.

Bijan Robinson is another problem, leading the NFL with 2,026 scrimmage yards, on pace for another franchise record.

Here is my visual of the week, encouraging you not to lose sight of what a buzzsaw the Rams have been offensively, just because it's been over a week since they dissected one of the best defenses in football (without Adams).

The offense has recorded 500 yards in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history. They are the fifth offense in NFL history to accomplish the feat.The offense has also scored at least 37 points in three consecutive games for the third time in franchise history (last occurrence was a six-game stretch in 2000).

And finally, I don't want to campaign against Drake Maye. He's had a brilliant season, and the Patriots are the most improved team in football. I couldn't help but notice that last week was celebrated as his first career 300-yard passing game – kudos! But when Matthew Stafford's got four games of 350 this season alone, and in those games his TD:INT ratio is 11:1, what are we even debating? MVP voters, please don't do the thing where Stafford standing on the sideline while the Seahawks put together three eight-point possessions tips any scales.

Parting Shots

We'll leave you with Camryn Irwin, D'Marco Farr, and Stu Jackson delivering a preview of Monday Night Football on the latest installment of Between the Horns.

Enjoy your weekend, and here's to massive stakes on Monday Night Football.