Can Baker Mayfield lead the LA Rams to the playoffs in the 2022-23 NFL season?
It’s been quite a sensational 48 hours or so for Baker Mayfield since he joined the Los Angeles Rams from the Carolina Panthers. A day after signing for the Rams, he started at quarterback and led the team to a narrow 17-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14 on Thursday Night Football. Mayfield was signed by the Rams as a replacement for the injured Matthew Stafford.
While the Rams managed to win the Super Bowl last season, they are simply struggling as they languish at the bottom of the NFC West table with only four wins and nine defeats this season. As things stand, the Rams only have a 1% chance of qualifying for the postseason.
BAKER MAYFIELD GAME-WINNING TD DRIVE
8 Plays
98 Yards
1:35Unbelievable 😱 pic.twitter.com/Sco2Px1CVW
— ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2022
How can the Baker Mayfield and Los Angeles Rams qualify for the playoffs?
FINAL – Rams 17, Raiders 16
In his @RamsNFL debut, Baker Mayfield led a 98-yard game-winning TD drive that included 3 tight window completions that all traveled over 30 yards in the air.
🔹 Lowest Win Probability: 3%
🔹 Trailing by 6 at Own 2: 11%Win Probability 📉: pic.twitter.com/9A2pkWvmK0
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 9, 2022
The Rams’ playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread and even if they manage to win all their remaining games this NFL season, they may be unable to make the postseason. Nonetheless, the LA-based outfit will look to make the most of this season and give it a push with Mayfield at quarterback. Mayfield put up 230 passing yards and one touchdown in Week 13.
Baker Mayfield in 2018 Week 3 vs. Jets:
◽️Came off bench (1st game with the Browns)
◽️Trailed by as many as 14 points
◽️Rallied to win on TNF2022 Week 14 vs. Raiders:
◽️Came off bench (1st game with the Rams)
◽️Trailed by as many as 13 points
◽️Rallied to win on TNF pic.twitter.com/bXFpTDe7BY— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 9, 2022
The Rams also showed a lot of grit and determination to get the win over the Raiders and can continue that momentum in the final stages of the regular season. They will now face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 followed by a home game against the Denver Broncos in Week 16.
They will then have a crunch derby at the SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17 before completing their season with a trip to face the Seattle Seahawks.
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