Rams Face Falcons in Return to Postseason Play

On Saturday evening in primetime, the Los Angeles Rams will return to NFL postseason after an absence of 12 years, when they host last year’s NFC champions the Atlanta Falcons in a wildcard matchup. This is the first time the Rams franchise has reached the postseason since moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

Atlanta finished the regular season 10-6 straight up and 7-9 against the spread. On the road, the Falcons were 5-3 SU and 2-6 ATS. Los Angeles finished the regular season 11-5 SU and 9-7 ATS. At home, the Rams were 3-4 SU and ATS.

Odds makers opened the line Rams -4.5 but that has been bet up to Rams -5.5 on most books. The over/under point totaled opened at 49.5 but has been bet down to a current 48.

Last season it was the Falcons with the NFL’s highest scoring offense that reached the Super Bowl. This season, the Falcons will be facing the team with the No. 1 scoring offense when they meet the Rams on Saturday.

Last season the Rams won just four games, but this season behind quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley the Rams won the NFC West and are legitimate contenders to win the NFC title.

Atlanta was 6-2 during the season half of the season with its two losses against a pair of NFC division winners New Orleans and Minnesota. Matt Ryan has not produced the numbers at quarterback this season for Atlanta that he did last season, but with Julio Jones at wide receiver he has one of the league’s best. Jones finished the season with 1,445 yards receiving on 88 receptions. Ryan is also clutch when it comes to the postseason. The Falcons signal caller has 12 touchdown passes and just 1 interception over his last four playoff games.

On defense, the Falcons allowed 19.7 points per game but just one rusher ran for more than 100 yards.

For the Rams, Gurley ended the season with 1,305 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards or more in six games and led the team in receptions with 64. Los Angeles became just the second team in NFL history to rank last in scoring one season and first the following season.

On defense, the Rams were a poor No. 28 against the run.

Prediction: Lean on playoff experience here Falcons plus the points.