We’re not even finished with Week 16 in the NFL, and the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars are already division champions.
Sean McVay’s Rams squad (11-4, after 4-12 last year) clinched the NFC West with a 27-23 road victory over a solid Tennessee Titans team on Sunday. It’s the Rams’ first division title since 2003.
For the first time since 2003! pic.twitter.com/g8Pi4MVXGV
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 24, 2017
Los Angeles got tremendous production Sunday from two MVP candidates in quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley.
Goff threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns (no interceptions) against the Titans. After a brutal rookie season that left many quickly calling him a bust, Goff has been sensational this year with 31 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions (he entered Sunday with a 98.9 passer rating).
One year ago today.
NFC West Champions. https://t.co/dtEmgZUNei
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 24, 2017
And Gurley, well, this dude is just ridiculous and very deserving of the rare running back-for-MVP consideration. On Sunday, he ran for 118 yards on 22 carries, and had 10 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Check out the insane hurdles and speed he showed off in the win:
Todd Gurley leads the NFL with 2,093 yards from scrimmage, and leads the NFL with 19 total touchdowns. Is that enough to make him MVP? In today's NFL is a non-quarterback ever MVP?
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) December 24, 2017
And the Titans’ loss also meant that the Jaguars (10-4, after 3-13 last year) have clinched the AFC South. It’s their first division title since 1999, when they played in the AFC Central.
Merry Clinchmas! ? pic.twitter.com/2EYH06I4cj
— z-#Sacksonville (@Jaguars) December 24, 2017
The @Jaguars have won the 2017 AFC South division title.
This is Jacksonville’s first division title since winning the AFC Central in 1999.
Also marks JAX’s first time winning the AFC South since the divisional realignment in 2002.
— y-Tad Dickman (@Tdickman89) December 24, 2017
The Jaguars are currently playing the 49ers, and still have an outside shot at a playoff bye, but they have at least clinched the division and a home playoff game.
It’s been a remarkable, stunning season for the Jaguars and Rams, and it will be interesting to see how long they can last into January.