Rams start Jimmy Garoppolo in game that matters, fall to NFC No. 4 seed

Facing a Week 18 game that actually mattered, the Los Angeles Rams opted to sit starting quarterback Matthew Stafford and start Jimmy Garoppolo under center instead. Their reward: the most dangerous wild-card of the playoffs.

The Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks 30-25 on Sunday, knocking them down to the No. 4 seed in the NFC side of the playoffs. The No. 3 Buccaneers are now set to face the Washington Commanders in the wild-card round, while the Rams will be saddled with the loser of the “Sunday Night Football” clash between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

Full NFC playoff seeding

1. Detroit Lions/Minnesota Vikings (14-2)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)

4. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)

5. Minnesota Vikings/Detroit Lions (14-2)

6. Washington Commanders (12-5)

7. Green Bay Packers (11-6)

Last out: Seattle Seahawks (10-7)