TAMPA, Fla. -- When they got off to a 6-0 start this season, it seemed like the St. Louis Rams had a great chance to repeat as Super Bowl champs. But now at 9-6, with one week to go in the regular season, they haven't even clinched a playoff berth.
With a costly 38-35 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5) on Monday night, the Rams saw the Bucs return to the postseason and handed the NFC West title to the New Orleans Saints (10-5). Even if the Rams beat the Saints in the regular-season finale and both teams finish 10-6, the Saints win the tiebreaker because New Orleans has a better conference record.
The Rams can clinch a playoff berth only if they win on Sunday and the Detroit Lions lose or tie against the Chicago Bears. Otherwise, the Rams become the eighth defending Super Bowl champion to miss the postseason.