New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints meet Sunday in the NFL NFC Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Los Angeles Rams have a chance to make the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2001 season. The Los Angeles Rams have won six of their last eight road games. Jared Goff is completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 4,688 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Goff has two or more touchdown passes in eight of his last 13 games. Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks have combined for 2,423 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns while Todd Gurley II has 59 receptions. The Los Angeles Rams ground game is averaging 138.4 yards per contest, and Gurley leads the way with 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns. Defensively, Los Angeles is allowing 24 points and 358.6 yards per game. Cory Littleton leads the Los Angeles Rams with 125 tackles, Aaron Donald has 20.5 sacks and John Johnson III has four interceptions.
The New Orleans Saints have a chance to make the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2009 season. The New Orleans Saints have won seven of their last eight home games. Drew Brees is completing 74.4 percent of his passes for 3,992 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions. Brees has two or more touchdown passes in 12 of his last 21 games. Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara have combined for 2,114 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns while Tre'Quan Smith has 28 receptions. The New Orleans Saints ground game is averaging 126.6 yards per contest, and Kamara leads the way with 883 yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, New Orleans is allowing 22.1 points and 349.1 yards per game. Demario Davis leads the New Orleans Saints with 110 tackles, Cameron Jordan has 12 sacks and Marcus Williams has two interceptions.
The Rams are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 playoff games, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in January and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff road games. The Saints are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in January, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The home team is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings. The under is 6-2 in Saints last 8 games overall. The under is 5-1 in Rams last 6 road games.
The Los Angeles Rams have scored 30 or more points in seven of their last nine games and are winning by an average of 15.3 points during their three-game winning streak. The New Orleans Saints have allowed 17 or less points in seven of their last nine games and their last five home victories have been won by an average of 14.8 points. The Los Angeles Rams are 2-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games as an underdog of any kind. The New Orleans Saints have failed to cover five of their last six games as a favorite of any kind. The Saints won the first meeting against the Rams back in early November by 10 points, and while the numbers indicate the game was competitive, New Orleans was in control from start to finish, which included a 35-17 lead at halftime. The Rams have tons of talent, but they struggle to put teams away and that defense gives up way too much. The New Orleans Saints have the offense and the quarterback to go toe-to-toe with any offense in the league, but it's that defense that makes the difference. The Saints held the Philadelphia Eagles to zero points in the last three quarters once trailing by two touchdowns, and they've given up more than 17 points just twice since Week 10. Both teams are super talented and I understand those who see value in free points with the Rams. The Saints are just a step above in class and are the more balanced team. At home, I'll lay the chalk, expecting the Saints to win by at least a touchdown.
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