The Rams’ path to Super Bowl LV begins in a familiar place. They’ll open the playoffs against the Seahawks, visiting their division rivals at Lumen Field for the second time in the last three weeks.
The last time these teams met, the Seahawks won 20-9, clinching the NFC West title and preventing the Rams from securing a spot in the playoffs. The Rams did eventually clinch in Week 17, but only after dropping two straight to the Jets and Seahawks.
As is often the case, these teams are evenly matched. They split the season series 1-1, are 5-3 in their last three meetings and eight of their last 12 matchups have been within single digits. So who will win this critical wild-card game? That’s a tough call.
Rams' keys to success
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
If the Rams are going to pull off the upset – if you want to call it that – it’ll take a much better performance from the offense. Scoring nine points like they did the last time around won’t be good enough, and it’s possible even the 18 points L.A. scored last week against the Cardinals won’t win this game, either.
Strangely, the offense has been the Achilles’ heel of the Rams this season, just as it was last year. Jared Goff turned it over 17 times, the Rams ranked 19th in red zone touchdown percentage and they only threw 20 touchdown passes – half the total of Russell Wilson.
The Rams must take care of the football, hopefully having their first game of the season without a turnover. They also must score touchdowns in the red zone after doing so just 22% of the time in their last three games. That includes an 0-for-4 showing in Week 17.
Whichever quarterback starts for L.A. must be efficient throwing the ball, because 40 pass attempts and 200 yards won’t cut it. And finally, a sticking point for the defense: take the ball away. The Rams are 5-3 when they take it away multiple times, which they haven’t done since Week 13.
Rams' biggest concerns
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Whether it’s Goff or John Wolford at quarterback, turnovers are a major concern. The Rams haven’t gone a single game without avoiding a turnover, the first team since 2007 to do so and still make the playoffs.
Losing the turnover battle is the easiest way to lose a game, and the Rams know that well. Goff threw far too many interceptions and lost too many fumbles, while Wolford threw an ugly pick on his first attempt in Week 17.
The other major concern is slowing down Russell Wilson. He tailed off as the season went on after looking like an MVP candidate, but he’s always dangerous and capable of carrying a Seattle offense if it needs a spark. Wilson has a ton of playoff experience, too, going 9-6 in 15 starts with 23 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.
If Wilson gets hot, the Rams could be in trouble. Fortunately, L.A. did a good job against him in the first two games, but he’s not a quarterback to take lightly. A couple of big plays to DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett and this game could slip through the Rams’ grasp.
Final score prediction
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Rams are back at full strength with Cooper Kupp, Michael Brockers and Andrew Whitworth back in the starting lineup. They have a fighting chance regardless of who plays quarterback because their defense has been absolutely dominant, ranking first in points and yards allowed this season.
This is a defense that limited the Seahawks to an average of 18 points per game in their two meetings this season. It’s also a defense that picked off Wilson twice in Week 10. It’s fully capable of slowing Seattle down, but it’s hard to feel confident in the Rams offense – even with Kupp and Whitworth back.
It will come down to the wire, possibly all the way down to the final possession. But if it’s the Rams needing a touchdown late, there’s reason to doubt both Goff’s and Wolford’s ability to score six when needed most. After all, the Rams have scored just two offensive touchdowns in their last three games.
For that reason, I think the Seahawks will win a close one at home.
Final score prediction: Seahawks 21, Rams 19
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January 09, 2021 at 07:07PM
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Final score prediction for Rams vs. Seahawks in wild-card round - Rams Wire
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