We’ve seen this movie before.<\/p>\n
The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams will meet for a third time this season in the NFC championship game, this time in Seattle. The prize for the winner? A trip to Super Bowl 60.<\/p>\n
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The No. 1 seed Seahawks enjoyed their bye week and then crushed the 49ers 41-6<\/a> in the divisional round. The No. 5 seed Rams haven’t played their best football in the postseason, but got by the Panthers 34-31<\/a> in Carolina as 10-point road favorites in the wild-card round and then went on the road again to defeat the Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime<\/a> as 4.5-point road favorites. Los Angeles didn’t cover the spread in either game.<\/p>\n Will Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford return to a second Super Bowl as head coach and QB? How will Sam Darnold (and his oblique) show up when the lights are brightest?<\/p>\n Ben Fawkes gathers insight from oddsmakers for the game, and our team of NFL handicappers provides its favorite wagers on Sunday’s matchup.<\/p>\n Odds courtesy of BetMGM<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n What oddsmakers are saying<\/p>\n “A little bit more money on Seattle, number hasn\u2019t moved from Seahawks -2.5. We have moved the Seahawks money line from -150 to -155. Total we opened 47.5, it went up to 48 briefly, then back to 47.5. I think it\u2019ll stay in that range. The only weather issue that might come is rain there.” \u2014 Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at The Borgata<\/p>\n “This is the game we were all looking forward to seeing because these games have been electric. Ton of action coming in. Opened Seattle -2.5, 47.5, and the total is down a half point to 47. Respect for Seattle defensive front and how well they\u2019re playing. We\u2019re seeing Seattle action come in. I think the Rams all year long were considered the best team stats-wise and with this prolific offense. Defense has taken a step back the past few weeks. Right now, bettors are convinced that Seattle is going to win this game no problem.” \u2014 Joey Feazel, head of NFL trading at Caesars Sportsbook<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Best bets<\/p>\n Matt Jacob: Here\u2019s one reason to take the points with the Rams in Sunday\u2019s NFC championship game: Since the 2018 season, Los Angeles is 11-6 against the Seahawks (including a playoff victory). And five of those losses were by a total of 14 points (including two in overtime).<\/p>\n Other reasons to take the points: The Rams are 12-4 ATS in the last 16 head-to-head battles (6-1 ATS in Seattle); the underdog has covered the point spread in seven of the past eight clashes; and seven of those eight contests were decided by a touchdown or fewer.<\/p>\n That includes two matchups this year decided by a total of three points.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n So of course I\u2019m rolling with \u2026 the Seahawks. Specifically, I\u2019m rolling with a Seahawks defense that has allowed 19 points (and one touchdown) over the past three games.<\/p>\n The naysayer would point out that immediately prior to this recent stretch, Seattle gave up 37 points. To the Rams. At home. That’s fair enough. But the defense stiffened down the stretch of that game, allowing the offense and special teams to steal a 38-37 victory in overtime.<\/p>\n Also, prior to that Week 16 Thursday Night Football thriller, the Seahawks shut down the Colts (16 points), Falcons (nine) and Vikings (zero). Yep, Seattle has held six of its past seven opponents to 44 total points.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n There\u2019s this, too: In the first meeting in Los Angeles, the Rams scored touchdowns on their first two offensive possessions. From there, L.A. found the end zone just once in the final three quarters, barely holding on for a 21-19 win.<\/p>\n The bottom line is that the Seahawks have been consistent all season and are playing their best football right now (as evidenced by their ongoing eight-game winning streak).<\/p>\n On the other hand, the Rams have been teetering for weeks. Not only are they just 5-3 in their last eight contests, but they barely survived two playoff games at Carolina (34-31) and Chicago (20-17 in overtime).<\/p>\n No offense to the Panthers and Bears, but they\u2019re not in Seattle\u2019s league.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Bet: Seahawks -2.5 (-120)<\/p>\n Jacob: A quick review of the Seahawks\u2019 backup running back situation: fourth-stringer Kenny McIntosh (injured reserve); third-stringer George Holani (injured reserve); second-stringer and second-leading rusher Zach Charbonet (torn ACL).<\/p>\n There\u2019s a chance that Holani (hamstring) could be activated ahead of Sunday\u2019s NFC championship game. But the second-year pro has all of 25 carries in 16 games.<\/p>\n Before last week\u2019s playoff rout of the 49ers, Seattle moved running back Velus Jones Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster. Jones wound up with six carries \u2014 two more than he had in three regular-season games \u2014 but gained only 10 yards.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n [Get more Seahawks news: Seattle team feed<\/a>]<\/p>\n Long story short, the Seahawks have depth problems in the backfield. So like it or not, No. 1 running back Kenneth Walker III is going to have to shoulder the load against the Rams. That certainly wasn\u2019t a problem last week, when Walker torched San Francisco for 119 yards (and three touchdowns) on 19 carries.<\/p>\n The 19 carries matched Walker\u2019s regular-season high against Arizona way back in Week 4.<\/p>\n Now in his fourth season, the former Michigan State standout has exceeded 20 rushing attempts just eight times in 56 starts. If the Seahawks had their druthers, they wouldn\u2019t need Walker to top that number for a ninth time Sunday night. Unfortunately, given the state of their running back room, they won\u2019t have that luxury.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Bet: Kenneth Walker III over 20.5 rushing attempts (-105)<\/p>\n Jacob: Despite playing in frigid Chicago last week, McVay called 42 pass plays versus 31 rushing plays. That decision nearly cost McVay and his team \u2014 and he knows it.<\/p>\n In fact, after escaping with a 20-17 overtime win, McVay admitted his offensive game plan needs to be more balanced. I just don\u2019t believe for a hot second that he\u2019ll change his ways.<\/p>\n For starters, committing to the running game is not in McVay\u2019s football DNA. More importantly, he views Stafford as his ticket back to a third Super Bowl, so he\u2019s going to ride the 37-year-old\u2019s right arm until it falls off.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n