NFL Playoff Predictions: Will Rams cover spread vs. Falcons? 1/6/18
Will the Rams cover the spread against the Falcons on Saturday night? The two teams will meet at 8:15 p.m. ET in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs.
The Odds: Falcons at Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET, Saturday
According to oddsmakers, the Rams are 5.5-point home favorites. The Falcons opened as 4.5-point underdogs before the line climbed. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 49.5 points after hitting the board at 48.
Atlanta enters play with a 10-6 record and is 5-3 on the road. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is 11-5 overall and 3-4 at home. From a betting standpoint, the Falcons are just 7-9 against the spread and 2-6 ATS on the road. The Rams are 9-7 at the betting window and 3-4-1 ATS at home.
Atlanta Falcons Injury Report
Several key members of the Falcons will be in uniform tonight. Devonta Freeman is probable with a knee injury. Alex Mack is probable with a calf injury. Taylor Gabriel is probable with a hamstring injury. Julio Jones, despite dealing with thumb and ankle injuries, isn’t listed on the team’s injury report. The only key injury impacting the Falcons is guard Andy Levitre, who is out for the year with a triceps tear.
Los Angeles Rams Injury Report
The Rams are relatively healthy themselves. Cooper Kupp (knee) will play and so will cornerback Troy Hill (concussion). That said, Kayvon Wesbter is out for the year with an Achilles injury while Greg Zuerlein is out for the season with a back ailment.
Our Prediction
The injury to Levitre is a big one because it could impact the Falcons’ ability to slow down Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. L.A. had the fourth-best sack percentage in the league this season and Donald can often be a one-man wrecking crew because of his speed. If Mack and the rest of the interior of Atlanta’s offensive line can’t slow down Donald, forget it.
This is a different Atlanta offense as it is. The loss of Kyle Shanahan hurt worse than the Falcons could imagine, as Steve Sarkisian still hasn’t figured out how to use all of the weapons at Atlanta’s disposal. For example, he insists on getting tight end Austin Hooper 3-4 looks in the passing game while Tevin Coleman and Gabriel have often be left out of the game plan. It’s one thing to have a bunch of tools at your disposal. It’s another to actually use those tools.
The Rams are better and now that the line has dropped from 6.5 down to 5.5, I love L.A. to cover.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Playoff Prediction: Los Angeles Rams -5.5
