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Rams’ Playoff Hopes In Peril As QB Jared Goff Suffers Broken Thumb

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California.

The Los Angeles Rams playoffs hopes are dealt another blow as their starting quarterback Jared Goff suffered a broken thumb. There is a certainty that Goff will miss their season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

The last two games have not been kind for the Rams. Last week, they were on the verge of clinching a playoff spot if they had won their game against the New York Jets. It was supposed to be an easy game as the Jets are one of the league’s worst team. However, the Jets defied the odds as they earned their first win with a 23-20 victory over the Rams.

Although they lost an easy opportunity to get the playoff spot, they were given another opportunity, but a harder one as they just needed to beat the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday’s game. Instead, they were handed a 20-9 defeat. This loss continued to jeopardize their playoff hope.

The latest blow in bad luck for the team was the thumb injury of Goff. The 26-year-old is to undergo additional testing Monday in order to assess his throwing thumb. The Rams are unsure whether their quarterback would be cleared to play on Sunday’s season finale.

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If the former first-round pick was to play he would be in pain as the injury is to his throwing thumb. In addition, if the team were to win and make the playoffs then the 26-year-old would have to play an additional month and risk worsening the injury.

Furthermore, the broken thumb might worsen and affect the game of Goff. It should be taken into account that the QB has been struggling in the past few games. He has been giving up at least one interception in five of his last sevens starts. The Prow-Bowler has thrown for no more than 210 passing yards in three of his last four games.

So far, the Rams do not have any ideal backup quarterbacks. Backup John Wolford is a third-year veteran that has not thrown an NFL pass. Their third option is undrafted rookie Bryce Perkins who is a member of the practice squad.

The season finale on Sunday will be a do or die situation for Los Angeles. The team needs either a win over Arizona or for the Chicago Bears to lose to the Green Bay Packers.