The No. 3 Seattle Seahawks will host the No. 6 seed Los Angeles Rams Saturday at 4:40 P.M. Eastern.
The Rams started the season very strong, winning seven of their first 10 games, but struggled down the stretch. They ended the season at 10-6, finishing second in the NFC West and 6th in the NFC.
This will be the third time this season that these two teams will meet and the second time they’re meeting in Seattle. The Rams won 23-16 in L.A. in Week 10, and the Seahawks won 20-9 in Seattle in Week 16.
FanDuel has the spread at Seahawks (-3), moneyline odds at Seattle -176, and the over/under at 42.5.
Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview: Goff With Your Thumb
In the Week 16 game, Rams quarterback Jared Goff was finishing a throw and hit the helmet of a pass rusher. That thumb injury required him to get immediate thumb surgery on his throwing hand to have a chance to play Saturday.
While Goff gives L.A. the best chance to win if he’s good to go, backup John Wolford would be the healthier option. Head coach Sean McVay has not yet named a starter and will likely keep that information hidden until kickoff.
The Rams also get some key offensive weapons back from injury or COVID-protocol, including wide receiver Cooper Kupp and offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth. Defensive end Leonard Floyd is also expected to return.
If Goff plays, the Rams might be able to exploit Seattle’s secondary, as star safety Jamal Adams will either miss the game entirely or play hurt with a right shoulder injury.
Seattle Seahawks Betting Preview: No 12th Man? No Problem
The Seahawks had another great year, finishing the regular season at 12-4 and taking the NFC West title. Quarterback Russell Wilson had another MVP-caliber season, finishing with 42 total touchdowns and 13 interceptions while securing a home field playoff game.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, Seattle will not allow fans into the building. Lumen Field is regularly the loudest stadium in football, and the crowd noise makes it hard for opposing teams to hear anyone and stay in sync.
Even without fans, the Seahawks had a 7-1 record against the spread at home this season; they were also 7-1 straight up at home. The Rams were 4-4 against the spread on the road and 4-4 straight up away from SoFi Stadium.
One major factor in this game will be the coverage of Jalen Ramsey on Seattle receiver DK Metcalf. Ramsey has given up only one catch for 11 yards when covering the Pro Bowler Metcalf through two games. If Ramsey continues to shut him down, it’ll make it hard for Seattle’s offense not to be one-dimensional.
The Pick Is In
The loss to the Giants in Week 12 really must’ve resonated with the Seahawks because they have won four straight games and covered three of the past four spreads since then. I don’t see why they’re not going to make it four out of five.
The spread will likely swing more in Seattle’s favor if Goff does not play. Taking the Seahawks at (-3) is the way to go here.
Free Betting Pick: Seattle Seahawks (-3).
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