With the NFC Championship game just a few days away, it should be no surprise, based on this past weekend's playoff games, that the Seattle Seahawks are the majority favorites over the Los Angeles Rams. If we're basing it on each team's game specifically, the Seahawks should have the upper hand.
Where the Seahawks blew out the San Francisco 49ers by 35 points (41-6), the Rams only edged the Chicago Bears by three points (20-17) in overtime. Had the weather conditions in Chicago been different, the Rams might have scored more points or lost altogether.
That said, the Rams did not win easily, nor did they win easily against the Carolina Panthers on the road during Wild Card weekend, which was another three-point win (34-31). Given the Rams' and Seahawks' most recent wins, it makes sense that Seattle is the favorite.
However, is that the right call? Should we take these wins as gospel? No, but according to DraftKings, Seattle has done enough to earn the better odds.
DraftKings awards the Seattle Seahawks the better odds against Rams in NFC Championship
Seattle's trouncing of the 49ers certainly plays a part in Seattle starting this week off as the favorites over LA. The Rams have won both playoff games on the road, and both games have been close. When it comes to the Seahawks versus Rams, however, it's important to look outside the playoff picture, or, better said, in the past.
Let's face it: the Seahawks should have lost the second game of the regular season to the Rams. Los Angeles had that Week 16 game in the bag, but Sam Darnold and Kenneth Walker III were crucial in the Seahawks' second-half comeback and eventual overtime steal of a win.
The Rams dropped the ball but were significantly ahead and could have won, making it two wins over their NFC division rivals during the regular season. LA narrowly beat the Seahawks in Week 11, their first meeting, which was also a close game, much like the second matchup when it was all said and done.
Considering that LA won the first one in close fashion, and was winning the second one by a large margin before letting it slip away late, what does that tell you other than the fact that the Rams may be the better team? It should, but one thing that Seattle showed in both games is that they can keep pace and play to LA's competitive level.
DraftKings is setting up the Seahawks as early 2.5 favorites over the Rams, signalling a presumed NFC Championship game victory in Seattle's favor. The moneyline favors the Seahawks -155, while the Rams are at +130.
This is the lowest point differential margin between the AFC and NFC Championship Games. Additionally, the over/under is slightly different, leaning towards the under of 47.5 points (-105) than the over (-115).
Despite the betting books placing their faith in Seattle over Los Angeles, all of the odds makers, moneylines, or over/unders can't be the be-all end-all, and that's simply because the Rams are the team with the most championship and playoff experience, the winning quarterback and coach combination, and regular-season proof.
The Seahawks have the more complete team across all facets — offense, defense, and special teams — but the Rams have the internal ingredients for winning because they've won before. That being said, based on these playoffs — and, granted, the Seahawks have played one less game than the Rams — Seattle does appear to be the better team, having the much better win.
Whether DraftKings odds change as the week progresses, time will tell. Still, right now, the Seahawks have the upper hand. Odds and favorites will have no meaning once the game begins, though, and if Seattle wants a win, they'll have to stay with LA from the first to the last snap. Otherwise, LA's previously tested and approved mettle will triumph.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.