Two teams coming off convincing wild-card victories meet when the Eagles host the Rams for an NFC divisional round bout on Sunday afternoon at the Linc.
Philadelphia just opened its playoffs by putting the Packers in their place last week while the Rams disposed of the Vikings. Now, they’ll meet to decide a berth in the NFC championship game.
These teams met earlier this season, a 37-20 Eagles victory out at LA. We’re expecting a closer game on Sunday.
NFL Betting Odds
The NFL playoffs betting market opened Philadelphia at -5.5 for Sunday, with an over/under of right around 44.5. Early betting action edged that spread to -6.
Rams Betting Preview
Los Angeles reached the divisional round of these playoffs by stuffing Minnesota in a wild-card game Monday night 27-9. The Rams, catching two points as home dogs, set the tone when they drove the opening possession of the game 70 yards to a touchdown. LA led 10-0 after one quarter, 24-3 at the half, and never let the Vikings back in the game.
The Rams only out-gained Minnesota 292-26,9 but most of the yardage the Los Angeles defense allowed came while protecting a three-score lead. LA also recorded nine sacks.
The Rams are back in the divisional round of the playoffs for the fourth time in seven seasons.
Los Angeles only started 1-4 this season, then used a 9-2 run to clinch the NFC West. The Rams then rested many starters for their meaningless season finale against Seattle, which was lost 30-25. So with last week’s win LA is now 10-2 SU, 8-4 ATS over their last 12 games that actually mattered.
Eagles Betting Preview
Meanwhile, Philadelphia reached this divisional round by beating Green Bay in a wild-card game last Saturday 22-10. The Eagles, favored at -5.5, turned an early takeaway into a touchdown and led 10-0 at the half. Philly later allowed the Packers to get within 16-10 but put the clamps on from there to secure the win and the money.
Philadelphia out-rushed Green Bay 169-107 and won the turnover battle 4-0.
The Eagles are back in the divisional round of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Philadelphia only started 2-2 this season, then won 10 in a row. The Eagles then pissed a game away to Washington but finished their regular season with wins over Dallas and the Giants. Philly was already basically locked into its playoff seed heading into that last game against New York, sat many key people and still won.
These teams just met back in Week 12 at Los Angeles, a 37-20 Eagles victory. Philadelphia only led that game 20-14 midway through the third quarter, then hit the scoreboard on its next three possessions to pull away.
The Eagles out-rushed the Rams that day 314-92, as RB Barkley scampered for a team-record 255.
Also, that game played over a total of 48.5 when Barley bolted 72 yards for an insurance touchdown with just under three minutes to play.
By the Numbers
Los Angeles averaged 331 ypg on offense this season, 104 rushing. Defensively the Rams allowed 351 ypg, 130 rushing. This while playing what Sagarin (sagarin.com) ranked as the 5th-toughest schedule in the League.
Philadelphia averaged 367 ypg on offense, 179 on the ground, and held opponents to a League-low 278 ypg, 104 on the ground. This while playing Sagarin’s No. 30 schedule.
NFL Betting Trends
Including last week’s wild-card victory, Los Angeles is now 3-3, both SU and ATS, at +1 ppg vs. teams that made the playoffs this season.
Including last week’s win, Philadelphia is now 6-2, both SU and ATS, against teams that made the playoffs, at +5 ppg.
Totals Report
The unders played 9-8 in Rams games this season, which averaged 44 points. And last week’s wild-card game against Minnesota played under a total of 47.
The unders played 10-7 in Eagles games, which averaged 45 points. And last week’s wild-card win over Green Bay played under a total of 46.
The unders played 5-1 during last week’s wild-card round.
