Sometime today, the final “finalist” interview will be completed with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo by the Rams’ braintrust in Los Angeles. At that point, owner Chip Rosenbloom will await general manager Billy Devaney’s recommendation, and then act on that recommendation one way or the other.

So it’s quite possible the next Rams’ head coach could be named by Friday or Saturday. Unless, that is, the team feels like waiting to see what happens with Rex Ryan and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the AFC championship game.

If the Ravens lose at Pittsburgh, Ryan is available immediately. If they pull the upset, Ryan can’t be hired until after the Super Bowl.

All reports out of New York lately indicate that Ryan is the frontrunner for the Jets’ job. The Jets aren’t known to have interviewed anyone this week, although there has been some speculation that they may bring in Spagnuolo for a second interview. So as each day passes it seems clear that the Jets are waiting on Ryan _ at least until the outcome of the Ravens-Steelers game.

But don’t sell St. Louis short on Ryan. Those close to Ryan say he’s at least as interested in the Rams’ job as he is in the Jets’ position.

Ryan has a brother who lives in St. Louis, and he’d also be closer to his father Buddy, who’s in Kentucky.

There are plusses and minuses to every job, and with the Jets there are salary cap concerns and the entire Brett Favre issue. Does Favre retire or not? If he does, you need a quarterback. If he doesn’t, can he still get it done and does he still have the respect of his teammates in the locker room?

And the mere fact that the NFC West is so weak, Arizona’s postseason resurgence notwithstanding, actually makes the Rams a more attractive job. It’s seen as an easier turnaround, at least in terms of the division competition.