The Los Angeles Rams are the biggest favorites of the first round, laying 10.5 points to the Carolina Panthers at most sports books, including the Westgate in las Vegas.
When these teams met in late November, it was the Panthers pulling off a shocking 31-28 upset as a 10-point underdog. Most don’t expect a repeat of that result, as the Rams are near the top of the Super Bowl odds.
Here's a quick glance at Saturday's game:
TV: FOX
LAST TIME OUT: Rams defeated Arizona 37-20 in Week 18; Panthers lost at Tampa Bay 16-14 in Week 18.
LAST MEETING: Nov. 30, Panthers defeated Rams, 31-28.
VEGAS LINE (courtesy Westgate): Rams -10.5 -108, O/U 46
BETTING TRENDS: The Rams have covered four of their last five games and were 12-5 ATS on the year. Los Angeles, which went over in 10 of its 17 games this season, closed the season going over in six straight. The Panthers have alternated ATS wins and losses since Oct. 19, a span of 11 games. If the pattern holds, they're due to fail ATS on Saturday. Carolina, which stayed under in 11 of 17, stayed low in its final four games of the season.
RAMS KEY PLAYERS: Quarterback Matthew Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and a career-high 46 TD
passes during the regular season. He has 2,996 yards passing and 22 TDs (19 passing, 3 rushing) to accompany a 102.3 passer rating in 10 career postseason starts. Stafford also has two or more TD passes in each of his seven playoff starts with the Rams. Running back Kyren Williams ranked 10th with a career-high 1,533 scrimmage yards this season. He had
Had 80 or more scrimmage yards in his last five games of the regular season. He's aiming for his third straight in the playoffs with 90 or more scrimmage yards. Wide receiver Puka Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions, while ranking second with a career-high 1,715 yards receiving. He also tied for sixth with 10 TD receptions this season and was one of three with 90 or more yards receiving in nine or more games this season. Wideout Davante Adams led the league with 14 TD receptions and comes into the postseason with 910 yards receiving and eight TD catches in 11 career playoff games, all with Green Bay.
PROP TO WATCH: Williams 70 or more yards (-110).
Coach Sean McVay made it no secret he wanted Williams fresh for the playoffs, which is why we saw Blake Corum get a lot more action this past season. The playoffs have arrived, and we can expect to see Williams to presume role as lead back. Williams rushed for 72 yards in the first matchup against Carolina and surpassed the 69 yards in 10 of 17 games.
PANTHERS KEY PLAYERS: Quarterback Bryce Young had a career-high 3,011 yards passing during the regular season. Young had a TD pass in six of his last seven regular-season games and a 90-plus passer rating in four of his last five. Young threw for 206 yards and three TDs in the Week 13 win over Los Angeles. Running back Rico Dowdle had a career-high 1,373 scrimmage yards (1,076 rushing, 297 receiving) and seven TDs, his second consecutive season with at least 1,000 yards rushing. He is one of two players with 225 or more scrimmage yards in two games this season. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan led all rookies with 1,014 yards receiving and seven TDs. He ranked third with 70 receptions. He was one of two with 85 or more yards receiving in four games this season. He had a TD catch in two of his last three regular-season games at home. Defensive tackle Derrick Brown had a career-high 5 sacks during the season, including one in the Week 13 win over the Rams, along with a forced fumble on Stafford. He had five or more tackles in the last three regular-season games.
PROP TO WATCH: Dowdle 15 or more receiving yards (-115).
Dowdle is essential because of his dual-role abilities. He poses just as much of a threat coming out of the backfield to catch a ball as he does running it. Dowdle turned in more than 15 yards receiving seven times this season, including 21 in the Week 13 win over the Rams.