Eagles vs. Rams predictions for divisional round of NFL playoffs – NBC Sports Philadelphia

On January 18, 2025By Littum

The no. 2-seeded Eagles host the no. 4-seeded Rams in the divisional round at the Linc on Sunday at

Let’s get to the predictions:

Reuben Frank (11-7)

The Rams are a very good team, but they’re not a great team, and I’m not sure they’re ready for what they’re going to experience on Sunday at the Linc. You start out with them only arriving back in LA on Tuesday morning after an emotional win over the Vikings in Arizona, and now you’ve got the added dimension of a dome team turning around and flying across the country and playing on. a short week on a cold, windy, snowy day in Philly. That’s a lot. Then there are matchups. Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ mighty o-line vs. a defense that allows 4.6 yards per carry. carry (26th in the NFL) and 130 yards per game (22nd in NFL). There’s the best defense in the league against an offense that has scored seven touchdowns in its last five games. There’s AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith vs. NFL’s 20th ranked pass defense. There’s Jalen Hurts and Co. vs. a defense that allowed 28 points per match against the winning team. This one is simple. Rams are good. Eagles are better. Much better.

Eagles 29, Rams 19

Dave Zangaro (11-7)

The Eagles got to the divisional round with a 22-10 win over the Packers last week, and their defense continues to be incredible under Vic Fangio this season. This Rams offense has some firepower with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but I have full confidence in Fangio’s defense. They were able to slow down the Rams’ offense in Week 12 in LA, and now they can play them in wintry conditions outside in a blistering atmosphere at the Linc. Last week, the Rams sacked Sam Darnold nine times, but they won’t be able to do that against the Eagles’ offensive line. Saquon Barkley may not rush for 255 like he did the first time these two teams met, but I expect him to have another big game behind the Eagles’ offensive line. And the Eagles also have an advantage with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith against LA’s corners.

The real reason I’m picking the Eagles is because of how they imposed their will against the Rams last time. They humiliated them. And as much as the Rams don’t want there to be a repeat of that, I’m not sure they have the ability to stop it. The Eagles are the more physical team, and in an away game in January, that goes a long way. Then add in the fact that the Rams are playing a short week after an emotional win in the wild card round, and I think they’re going to run out of gas. The Eagles advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Eagles 31, Rams 20

Barrett Brooks (14-4)

On to the second round and the Eagles play a very confident Rams team. They beat a 14-win Vikings team that was just playing for the first seed in the playoffs, but lost to the Lions! I see the confidence level in the Philly fan base because of the Week 12 win in Los Angeles. I also feel very confident. The reason is three very winnable areas that favor the birds:

1. The Eagles have the better roster. I truly believe on paper there is not a better constructed team in the NFL. I love the matchup of our defense led by Vic Fangio, who will construct a better game plan against Sean McVay’s offense. I also think Kellen Moore’s offense will dominate the Rams’ defense.

2. The Eagles will dominate the trenches. The Birds have the biggest line in the NFL. The Rams’ defense is built to be fast and penetrate holes. I think the laws of physics will govern the line of scrimmage. There will be double teams with 700 pound OLs on the smaller defenders of the Rams. This will take a toll during the game.

3. The elements should be a huge factor in the game right now. The Rams play indoors and are used to the sunny California weather. The forecast for Sunday is said to be cold and snowy. I think this is a definite advantage for the EAGLES. I love the playoffs and I have more confidence this year than in 2017 when the Eagles won the Super Bowl. I think it should be a lopsided game.

Eagles 31, Rams 17

Mike Mulhern (13-5)

Much has been made of Matthew Stafford’s late season success with the Rams. He is 19-3 in December, January and February since coming to Los Angeles. He did the bulk of the heavy lifting in the 2021 season, going 9-1 en route to a Super Bowl title. That defense featured longtime All-Pros Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Jalen Ramsey. Stafford also threw for a version of Cooper Kupp nearly setting the NFL’s single-season receiving record. In short, this Rams team is not that Rams team. This year’s team won 10 games and saw Sam Darnold remember that he is Sam Darnold in the Wild Card round. Sure, they’re dangerous, but as the Eagles showed just a few weeks ago, there’s a significant gulf between the two teams.

Every backup quarterback-turned-analyst on earth has spent this season discounting the play of Jalen Hurts, and it really stepped up this week. The bottom line is he doesn’t turn the ball over and he wins games. Since the bye week, Hurts has accounted for 28 touchdowns and just two turnovers. He has won all 11 games he has started and finished. That’s all that matters this time of year. When you have the number one defense and number rushing offense, your quarterback should play it safe. If they go to Detroit next week, it might be a different story. But for now, stick to the script and move on.

Eagles 27, Rams 17