WILD CARD PREVIEW 2: LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

BY ADAM GREENE

Our second Saturday Wild Card game comes with a bit more intrigue as the Los Angeles Rams travel up the West Coast to take on their NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks.

The Rams are keeping their starting quarterback news close to the vest as Jared Goff returned to practice a week after surgery on his thumb. As for Seattle, we all know who’ll be under center for them.

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-3, O/U: 42)

Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.

Kickoff: Jan. 9, 4:40 p.m. EST

Broadcast: FOX

THE HISTORY

This will be the second time the Rams and Seahawks will meet up in the playoffs since Seattle moved to the NFC West in 2002. On Jan. 8, 2005 the then St. Louis Rams knocked off the homestanding Seahawks 27-20 in an NFC Wild Card game. Rams QB Marc Bulger threw for 313 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Marshall Faulk rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown. Recent Hall of Fame finalist Torry Holt caught six passes for 108 yards and Kevin Curtis hauled in four for 107.

Matt Hasselbeck also topped three bills passing, going for 341 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Darrell Jackson was his favorite target with 12 receptions from 128 yards and a score.

LA and Seattle split their series this year with the Rams winning 23-16 in Los Angeles and the Seahawks claiming a 20-9 win in Seattle just three weeks ago. That just so happens to be the game where Goff injured his thumb.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-6)

The Rams faced a win and you’re in scenario last week hosting the Arizona Cardinals and took it 18-7 thanks to a decent NFL regular season debut from back up quarterback John Wolford. Wolford finished 22 of 38 for 231 yards and threw a pick. He rushed for 56 yards. Cam Akers broke out as a receiver, catching four passes for 52 yards while adding 34 yards on the ground. The defense sacked Cardinals’ QBs four times and picked off Kyler Murray once and forced a Chris Streveler fumble.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-4)

While the Seahawks had already locked up a home playoff game coming into Week 17, they still had an outside shot at the No. 1 seed if disaster struck New Orleans and Green Bay so they decided to play, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 26-23. Russell Wilson threw for 181 yards, two touchdowns and rushed for 29. Tyler Lockett caught 12 passes for 90 yards and two TDs. The defense sacked C.J. Beathard twice.

THE PICK

While Rams head coach Sean McVay is keeping his starting QB a secret, I don’t see any way they don’t go with Wolford this week. Goff will probably suit up, but he’ll be holding a Microsoft Surface tablet unless the game gets out of hand in the second half. And, honestly, it might. Los Angeles has the best defense in the league so they have a chance if Wolford doesn’t make a mistake. But I’ve seen this script before, a back up has a good game and gets everyone excited before a playoff contest only to meltdown under the lights. Wilson hasn’t played especially well over the last month, but the playoffs are the playoffs. I think Seattle takes it and I like the spread. Seahawks 27, Rams 24

LAST WEEK

Straight up: 13-3

Against the spread: 11-5

SEASON

Straight up: 170-85-1

Against the spread: 131-125

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