Game: Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks

Date: January 25th at 6:30 PM ET

Where to Watch: FOX

Given how strong the NFC West was this season, it feels fitting that two division rivals are battling for the NFC crown. Fans nationwide will get to see a rematch of what was arguably the best Thursday Night Football game of the season just a few weeks ago, as the Rams take on the Seahawks. Not long ago, these teams were fighting for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but that race is now irrelevant, with everything riding on this matchup.

Los Angeles has had a few close calls through the first two rounds of the playoffs, but they’ve found a way to survive and advance. Statistically, this is the No. 1 offense in the NFL, ranking first in both yards per game (392.6) and points per game (30.1). Defensively, the Rams have been inconsistent at times, sitting 17th in yards allowed per game (332.5), but they’ve been much better when it matters most, ranking 10th in points allowed per game (20.7).

Seattle, meanwhile, appears to be peaking at the right time. The Seahawks dominated the 49ers in the divisional round, cruising to a 41–6 victory. While their offense can sometimes fly under the radar, it has been extremely effective, ranking 7th in yards per game (347.4) and 2nd in points per game (29.1). On the defensive side of the ball, Seattle has been nothing short of elite, ranking 3rd in yards allowed per game (282.8) and 1st in points allowed per game (16.6). With these teams knowing each other so well, this matchup has all the makings of a thrilling battle to decide who represents the NFC in the Super Bowl.

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Weather

We won’t get the stereotypical rainy Seattle conditions for this one. Forecasts call for mostly sunny skies through the first half, with temperatures in the low 40s at kickoff. As the game goes on, temperatures are expected to dip into the high 30s, with no precipitation in the forecast. Wind should be a non-factor, averaging around 4 mph with gusts up to 5 mph.

Betting Overview

Seattle opened as a slight 1.5-point favorite, and the line has moved marginally in the Seahawks’ favor, now sitting at -2 or -2.5 depending on the sportsbook. Despite the shift in the spread, the moneyline hasn’t seen significant movement, with the Rams now around +120 (up from +110) and the Seahawks at roughly -135 (down from -130). The total has also dipped, falling from its opening number of 47.5 to the 45.5–46 range.

Position Group & Coaching Comparisons

Coaching: What we’ve seen from Seattle’s coaching staff under Mike Macdonald has been impressive, but playoff football often comes down to experience. In that regard, Los Angeles has the more seasoned coaching staff, which gives the Rams a slight edge on the sideline in this matchup.

OLs vs. DLs: The battle in the trenches also favors the Rams. Seattle’s offensive line looked solid last week, but that performance came against a relatively underwhelming defensive front. This week presents a much stiffer test against the Rams’ defensive line. On the other side, Los Angeles’ offensive line has been effective all season in both run and pass protection.

QBs: While Sam Darnold has put together an impressive season, he doesn’t quite match the overall skill set of Matthew Stafford. Even in the later stages of his career, Stafford has arguably delivered one of his best seasons to date. His experience and arm talent should be a major factor, giving the Rams a clear edge at quarterback.

RBs & TEs vs. LBs: This is an area where Seattle holds an advantage, even without Zach Charbonnet. Kenneth Walker stepped up in a big way against San Francisco and will need a similar performance here. Neither tight end group stands out significantly, but Seattle’s linebackers excel at flowing to the ball and limiting damage in the middle of the field.

WRs vs. Secondaries: It’s difficult to argue against the Rams having the stronger wide receiver room in this matchup. Where Seattle gains ground is in the secondary. The Rams’ defensive backs have been inconsistent at times and will be challenged by a talented group that includes Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and Rashid Shaheed.  

Betting Trends

In the two meetings earlier this season, each team picked up one win and one cover, while the over/under split one game apiece.

Los Angeles is 12-7 ATS on the season, with a 5-5 record on the road, a 1-1 mark as an away underdog, a strong 4-2 record in division games, and an 0-2 record in the playoffs. Totals have leaned toward the over, hitting in 11 of 19 games overall. On the road, the over has cashed in 8 of 10 games, including both contests as an away underdog. In division matchups, the over has hit in 5 of 6 games, while playoff totals have split one apiece.

Seattle is 13-5 ATS this season, with a 5-4 record at home, a 5-3 mark as a home favorite, a 5-2 record in division play, and a 1-0 record in the playoffs. Totals have also leaned toward the over, hitting in 10 of 18 games. At home, the over has cashed in 6 of 9 contests, including 6 of 8 games as a home favorite. Division games have trended toward the under, hitting in 4 of 7, though the over did hit in Seattle’s lone playoff game.

Final Thoughts

This should be a highly entertaining NFC Championship game with star power on both sides. It’s certainly not an easy matchup to predict, but given the advantages the Rams hold across several key areas, I lean toward Los Angeles not only covering the spread, but winning this game outright. As for the total, the overall trends strongly point toward the over hitting in this contest.