Press sets up the Seattle game

The line for Seahawks-Rams is dropping. But before you bet the Rams, you should take a breath and ask one final question: Do I really want to take John Wolford over Russell Wilson in a playoff game? https://t.co/igvdIXi7uZ

— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) January 6, 2021

from https://theathletic.com/2304760/2021/01/07/nfl-wild-card-predictions-playoffs/

Rams at Seahawks

Rams quarterback Jared Goff’s status is uncertain. If he’s out, all three like Seattle to win comfortably. If he plays, they expect it to be a closer game, but they still pick the Seahawks because of how up-and-down the Rams offense has been. According to Football Outsiders’ variance metric, Los Angeles has the NFL’s ninth-most inconsistent offense.

“Do they get Goff and you see a high volume of Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods? Or do you see a Rams team that is going to lay a dud on offense?” the player said. “I have no idea who is going to show up. That’s what makes this nervous to me.

“(Russell Wilson) is going to do what he has to to win games, but with their offense, they should be dominating.”

That’s been Seattle’s issue in the second half of the season, as the offense has sputtered along with Wilson’s MVP hopes. The decline began when Seattle scored just 16 points in a loss to the Rams. The Seahawks won their other game against Los Angeles but only scored 20 points in that victory. Rams All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey limited D.K. Metcalf to 8 catches for 87 yards across two games.

“The Rams defense is one of the best in the league, so I would suggest it’s going to be a close game,” the coach said. “It may not be a high-scoring game. It could be a low-scoring game. But if the game is close in the fourth quarter, you gotta give an edge to Seattle because of Russell Wilson. And these games generally go to the fourth quarter.”

Betting on the Seahawks to win a low-scoring playoff game earlier in the season would’ve seemed laughable, but the Seattle defense has been much improved of late. The scout and player both attribute that, in large part, to the addition of edge rusher Carlos Dunlap, who recorded 4.5 sacks in eight games after Seattle traded for him.

“They run true Cover 3, and every team knows that,” the player said. “But if you don’t have the pieces to apply pressure it doesn’t work. With the addition of Carlos Dunlap, that’s when you saw that team come together.”

“I don’t know if the Rams can be explosive enough to score against Seattle,” the scout added. “I think Seattle will be able to create some pressures and force Goff into turnovers. He just does not handle pressure well. I see a low scoring game either way, but I see Russell Wilson make plays late. If it’s (backup QB John) Wolford for the Rams, they’re just going to have a hard time moving the ball consistently.”

Coach’s pick: Seahawks

Player’s pick: Seahawks

Scout’s pick: Seahawks

NFL wild-card picks: Most experts taking Seahawks over Rams https://t.co/Tw4NAWi7k6

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) January 9, 2021