NFL Playoff Betting Odds, Predictions & Picks: Los Angeles Rams Vs. Seattle Seahawks
On Saturday, the Rams (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS) will travel to Seattle for a wild-card round matchup and third meeting this season with their NFC West rivals, the Seahawks (12-4 SU, 8-8 ATS). The first two NFL playoff betting games between the two were both low-scoring affairs ending in home wins. Wining the second matchup along with the four straight wins to close the season was enough for Seattle to secure the home-field advantage for this one. This is a third straight playoff appearance for the Seahawks while the Rams are returning to the postseason after missing out last year.
Los Angeles Rams Vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL Playoff Betting Line Movement
Unlike the December game when they were just -1.5 favorites, the bookies seem to have more faith in the Seahawks for the NFL playoff betting matchup giving them a -3 or -3.5 advantage depending on where you place your wager. The total stands at 42 as oddsmakers expect defenses to dominate the Saturday game.
Notes On The Los Angeles Rams
Only two years ago the Rams went all the way to Super Bowl mainly relying on their explosive offense. Fast-forward two years and this team’s identity is defined by their stingy defense more than anything else. This year, they ranked first in both total defense and against the pass, while being third in the NFL against the run.
Per game, they’re allowing only 18.5 points, also the best number in the league. Last week’s final game of the season against the Cardinals was another defensive masterclass as the Rams shut down Kyler Murray and the Cardinals allowing only 214 total yards, recording 4 sacks, returning an interception for 84 yards, and, as the cherry on top, scoring a safety. The issues for LA may come on the offensive side of the ball, as QB John Wolford is likely set for only the second career to start on Saturday.
He did the job against the Cardinals with 231 passing yards and another 56 on the ground, but he threw an interception that resulted in Arizona’s touchdown. Jared Goff still has a slim chance of being ready for the game but, according to the latest news, it’s a very long shot.
QB uncertainty makes most of the LA’s offensive options rather unreliable in fantasy terms. On the other hand, RB Cam Akers may profit from the situation. Last week, as Wolford started for the first time, Akers had 21 carries, and we can expect the Rams to lean on him to provide offensive punch on Saturday as well. Although, Seattle will also be prepared for that and may sell out on the pass to stop the run.
Notes On The Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are entering the postseason with a completely different team balance compared to the first half of the season. For the Saturday matchup, they are putting most of the faith in their defensive unit which was getting regularly exposed in the first couple of weeks while the Russell Wilson-led offense set the league on fire with Seattle QB putting up MVP numbers. The loss to Buffalo in early November seemed to be a turning point. After giving up 44 points to the Bills, the Seahawks didn’t allow more than 23 in eight games since. However, Seattle’s D may be significantly weakened for the Rams matchup as star safety Jamal Adams is listed as questionable.
Russel Wilson finished the regular season with two games under 200 yards and just a single touchdown and, also, failed to throw for more than 250 yards in both matchups against the Rams this season. Wilson is capable of producing big plays and has proven to be able to step up when it matters, but we still feel he may be a risky DFS pick for Saturday. WR D.K Metcalf experienced a similar drop of form as Wilson, plus he has to match up against Jalen Ramsey who got the better of him in the previous two games. In addition, Tyler Lockett has been one of the most inconsistent players in the league this season and Chris Carson will likely share a big part of the load in the backfield with Carlos Hyde and Rashaad Penny, leaving us without a single viable fantasy option from Seattle this week.
NFL Playoff Betting Picks: UNDER 42
The total went UNDER in 11 of LA’s last 13 games and 7 out of 8 for Seattle. With Russell Wilson out of form and the Rams likely without the starting QB, both teams will rely on the defense to win the NFL playoff betting game. There’s no need to overthink this, take the UNDER.
