On Sunday, January 25, we’ll get a third battle between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. This time, it’ll take place in the NFC Championship Game, meaning the winner will head to Super Bowl LX. We try to dive into all of the big games throughout the NFL season and the NFL Playoffs won’t be any different. So keep reading for a Rams vs. Seahawks betting preview. Also, make sure you head over to our NFL Conference Championship Betting Hub for a look at all of our NFL betting content.
MORE: Head to the Pro Picks page for best bets from all of our VSiN hosts and analysts!
How To Watch Rams vs. Seahawks
When: Sunday, January 25 at 6:30 pm ET
Where: Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington
Channel: FOX
Rams vs. Seahawks Odds
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Wednesday, January 21. Look around for the best prices!
Moneyline: Seahawks -142, Rams +120
Spread: Seahawks -2.5 (-110), Rams +2.5 (-110)
Total: Over 46.5 (-115), Under 46.5 (-105)
Rams vs. Seahawks Analysis
The Rams are coming off an insane Divisional Round win over the Bears, while the Seahawks absolutely pummeled the 49ers. We’re now getting a third meeting between two teams that have already given us some awesome games, including a Week 16 showdown that might have been the game of the year. Seattle ended up winning that one 38-37, getting revenge for a 21-19 loss in Los Angeles earlier in the year. Now, between the Week 16 win and the romping of San Francisco, it seems like there’s more public interest in backing the Seahawks. Our VSiN betting splits pages show a lopsided ticket count favoring Seattle. The handle at DraftKings is also heavy to the Seahawks, but the Rams have a majority of the handle at Circa. The latter is interesting because Circa is viewed as the sharper book.
I find it a little surprising that Seattle is suddenly considered the right side here. For a good chunk of this season, Los Angeles has been the best team in football. When looking at rbsdm’s Team Tiers, the Rams sit atop the NFL in Net EPA per play. They’re No. 2 in the NFL in EPA per play (0.149) and seventh in EPA per play allowed (-0.069), while the Seahawks are 14th in Net EPA per play (0.036) and first in EPA per play allowed (-0.113).
The Rams also looked better than the Seahawks in their two matchups. The Rams stormed out to an early lead in the first meeting, going up 14-3 in the first quarter. They struggled a bit after that, but they were able to get the job done. Then, when the two met in Seattle late in the year, Los Angeles blew a 30-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Of course, the Seahawks deserve credit for battling back in that game, but it was a punt return touchdown that got them back in it. That’s a little fluky. And overall, Los Angeles should come into this game feeling like it has what it takes to win, as the team nearly went 2-0 against this opponent during the year.
The Rams will also have the benefit of having a major edge at the quarterback position. Matthew Stafford, who led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl in 2022, was one of the best players in the league this year, and he could very well be the NFL MVP. Stafford still has a big arm, he’s fearless throwing to every part of the field, and he now has championship pedigree. He’s somebody that defenses will fear late in a game, but it’s not exactly the same for Sam Darnold. While the Seattle quarterback has been a very good quarterback two years in a row, there’s still a lack in trust with him in big games. He also happens to be coming into this game a little banged up. An oblique injury nearly kept Darnold from playing last week, but he was able to suit up and ended up throwing for 124 yards with a touchdown and no picks. Fortunately for him, Kenneth Walker III was able to do the heavy lifting, rushing for 116 yards and three scores. But this is a game in which Darnold will likely need to outduel Stafford. Can he do that? I have some doubts.
It’s also hard not to feel like the coaching situation is somewhat similar. Sean McVay is the Stafford, having proven himself to be an elite coach in both the regular season and postseason. Meanwhile, Mike Macdonald is more like the Darnold, having done a good job for two years, but we haven’t yet seen him accomplish anything. I have a little more faith in McVay to have his guys ready here. McVay is 2-0 straight-up in the NFC Championship Game in his career.
Rams vs. Seahawks Player Props
Lean: Kyren Williams Over 53.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
There could be a time in this game when the Rams just start to let Stafford rip, but they’re going to work the running game as long as the game is close. That should mean that Williams will make his mark, even if Blake Corum does mix in. Williams averaged 80.5 rushing yards per game in the two meetings between these teams in the regular season, and it’s hard to imagine him now rushing for 53 or fewer.
Rams vs. Seahawks Pick
I came around on this Seahawks team pretty early in the year, as it was clear they’re one of the best teams in football. However, there’s a case to be made that the Rams are actually the best team in the league, so it feels like we’re getting a massive discount on them. That said, at plus-money odds, I have to grab them — even in a tough road environment.
Bet: Rams ML (+130)
