How to watch, what to watch for Rams vs. Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs

This week the Los Angeles Rams head up to the pacific northwest to take on the NFC West champions Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs.

The Seahawks started the 2020 NFL season looking unstoppable on offense, but they’ve slowed down quite a bit. Russell Wilson and company haven’t scored more than 28 points since Week 8 in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Still, they found a way to go 12-4 and finish atop their division. This week they face a division rival who they split the season series with, most recently playing in Week 16. The Seattle defense held their own against the Rams' high potent offense both games. In the first, they allowed 23 points in a close loss. But a few weeks later the defense shut down Jared Goff, winning 20-3. Though LA still outgained the Hawks both games, the defense was able to hold strong in the red zone and limit scoring.

The Rams offense has the ability to go up and down the field on anybody, but they haven’t shown that off as much in recent weeks. LA has failed to eclipse the 400 total yard mark since Week 13, which was something they were doing with regularity early in the season. They’ve also struggled giving the ball away, coughing it up at least once in every single game. The Seattle defense has 22 total turnovers on the season, so that could be a huge emphasis in this game for them.

TV Info

Date: Saturday, Jan. 9th
Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Rams: #9 Overall — #10 offense, #4 defense, #30 special teams
Seahawks: #5 Overall — #6 offense, #16 defense, #3 special teams

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Rams: +4.5, +175
Seahawks: -4.5, -200
Total: 42.5

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Rams

Darrell Henderson, RB $4,200

Henderson is the team’s RB 2 technically, but he and Cam Akers have very similar numbers in most statistical categories. Henderson has five scores on the year and is averaging nearly five yards per carry. He scored one touchdown in the meetings between the two teams this season.

Robert Woods, WR, $6,200

Woods is the team’s second-leading receiver behind Cooper Kupp. He may have to be a larger part of the gameplan than usual with Kupp still on the COVID-19 list. Kupp is expected back, but it’s unclear if he’ll have his normal role without playing for two weeks in practice.

Seahawks

Russell Wilson, QB, $6,700

I mean, this is a pretty obvious one. The Hawks skill position players haven’t found too much success against LA this season. Only two players not named Wilson scored against them this season and one of them was a practice squad call-up. Wilson spreads the ball around very effectively against the Rams and can get the job done with his legs as well.

Jason Myers, K, $3,600

Kicking has played a large role in both meetings between these two teams earlier this year, Myers hasn’t missed a field goal all season, going 24/24. Those 24 makes include 15 field goals between 40 yards or longer, two of which were from 50+.