Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints NFC Championship Pick – Odds and NFL Game Predictions

The 14-3 Los Angeles Rams go on the road to Mercedes-Benz Superdome to face the 14-3 New Orleans Saints in this season’s NFC Championship. Kickoff on FOX is slated for 3:05 p.m.

Los Angeles at New Orleans Game Overview

The Rams’ path to the NFC title game took some “twists and turns” with late-season losses to Chicago on the road and Philadelphia at home. This followed a 45-35 setback in New Orleans on Nov. 4 as slight two-point favorites as their only three straight-up losses on the year. They held off Dallas 30-22 as seven-point favorites at home in the Divisional Round. Los Angeles has been able to cover against the spread in its last three games.

Jared Goff has played at a very high level in this third season as the Rams’ starting quarterback, but it was the running game that got the job done against the Cowboys. Todd Gurley led the team in rushing this season with 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns on 256 carries. He ran the ball 16 times for 115 yards and one score in last Saturday night’s win. However, veteran CJ Anderson was the Rams’ leading rusher with 123 yards and two touchdowns on 23 rushing attempts.

New Orleans also stumbled down the stretch with a 3-2 straight up record in its last five regular season games while going 1-4 versus the betting line. The rust was evident in the first quarter of Sunday’s Divisional Round matchup against Philadelphia after falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter. The Saints went on to grind out a 20-14 win, but they failed to cover as 8.5-point home favorites. The total has stayed UNDER in three of their last five games at home.

Following that slow start against the Eagles, Drew Brees was able to close the gap with the help of his favorite target Michael Thomas. The veteran quarterback completed 12 passes to the Pro Bowl wide receiver for 171 yards and one score. Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram got the running game going in the second half to rush for a combined 124 yards on 25 carries. The Saints have failed to reach their 31.5-point scoring average in each of their last seven games.

Los Angeles at New Orleans Betting Trends

• The Rams have won nine of their last 11 road games SU and they have covered the spread in four of their previous six outings. The total has stayed UNDER in five of their last six games on the road.
• The Saints have been able to win 15 of their last 17 games played at home SU and they have covered the spread in 10 of their last 15 games overall. The total has stayed UNDER in six of their previous eight outings.
• Los Angeles is 6-3 ATS in the last nine meetings, but it falls to 2-4 both SU and ATS in its previous six road games against the Saints. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six meetings in New Orleans.