Hugh Ferris: Rams
The week 16 game between these two was insane, but in amongst all the high-scoring and overtime drama, was there a clue as to how this one will go? If the Rams, a rare team to figure out Seattle’s number one defence, can repeat their offensive performance I can’t see Sam Darnold mounting the kind of second-half comeback he did in their last meeting. Put it this way, if Puka Nacua chalks up 225 receiving yards again, the Rams will win.
Rob Staton: Seahawks
You can make an argument Sean McVay is the one coach who has Mike Macdonald’s number. In the last three years, Macdonald’s defence (in Baltimore and Seattle) has given up 28 points per game against McVay and the Rams. Against everyone else, it’s 18 points per game. Matthew Stafford is a proven top performer, Puka Nacua is arguably the player of the season at any position in the NFL and the Rams should have won in Seattle in week 16.
However, the Seahawks have upped their game since then. The defence has reached new heights, they’re running the ball far better and they’ve massively reduced turnovers on offence. They also have a lot more balance on their roster. The Rams have regressed a bit on defence and there’s a significant special teams advantage to Seattle.
I think it’ll be close and could go down to the wire. Either team could win in what is probably a meeting of the best two teams in the NFL. I think the home team will find a way.
Paul Higham: Seahawks
Just one point and amazingly just one yard of offense between these sides in two pulsating games this season, and this really is a coin toss of a game between the two best teams in the NFL.
Matthew Stafford put up 37 points on this imposing Seattle defence, which only allowed 44 points combined across the other six of their past seven games, so maybe LA just have their number?
Seattle had seven turnovers across those two games and generated just one from the Rams. That again could signal LA having the advantage, but it’s unlikely the Hawks commit that many again.
So with a clean game, that home crowd and just a sprinkling of Sam Darnold finally proving himself in the play-offs, the Seahawks can pinch it.
