Rams rest Matthew Stafford and start Jimmy Garoppolo in regular-season finale.

Why it matters: With the NFC West already clinched, the Rams have the opportunity to secure a higher playoff seed or risk dropping down depending on Week 18's results.

What's new: Head coach Sean McVay has made the decision to rest starting quarterback Matthew Stafford and give backup Jimmy Garoppolo the chance to lead the team against the Seattle Seahawks.

Yes, but: While Stafford sits out, the Rams' playoff seeding hangs in the balance, adding significance to the game against the Seahawks.

What to watch: The outcome of this game will determine whether the Rams secure the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the playoffs.

• A win or tie against Seattle, or a loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would give the Rams the No. 3 seed.
• However, a Rams loss combined with a Buccaneers victory would drop them to the No. 4 seed.

What's next: Regardless of the outcome, the Rams will be heading to the postseason, but their seeding will impact their path to the Super Bowl.

The bottom line: Resting Stafford and giving Garoppolo an opportunity to start allows the Rams to prioritize player health and strategic planning for the playoffs while evaluating their backup quarterback's performance.

Rams rest Matthew Stafford and start Jimmy Garoppolo in regular-season finale.

Why it matters: With the NFC West already clinched, the Rams have the opportunity to secure a higher playoff seed or risk dropping down depending on Week 18's results.

What's new: Head coach Sean McVay has made the decision to rest starting quarterback Matthew Stafford and give backup Jimmy Garoppolo the chance to lead the team against the Seattle Seahawks.

Yes, but: While Stafford sits out, the Rams' playoff seeding hangs in the balance, adding significance to the game against the Seahawks.

What to watch: The outcome of this game will determine whether the Rams secure the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the playoffs.

• A win or tie against Seattle, or a loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would give the Rams the No. 3 seed.
• However, a Rams loss combined with a Buccaneers victory would drop them to the No. 4 seed.

What's next: Regardless of the outcome, the Rams will be heading to the postseason, but their seeding will impact their path to the Super Bowl.

The bottom line: Resting Stafford and giving Garoppolo an opportunity to start allows the Rams to prioritize player health and strategic planning for the playoffs while evaluating their backup quarterback's performance.