Rams vs Eagles NFL Divisional Round picks

The fourth-seeded Los Angeles Rams travel to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to take on the second-seeded Eagles in their NFC Divisional round game on Sunday afternoon, which gets started at 3:00 pm ET live on NBC.

Los Angeles is making its sixth playoff appearance under coach Sean McVay and made a huge statement in last week’s Wild Card round, easily crushing the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings. It was the Rams’ sixth win in their past seven games, with the only defeat being when they rested all of their starters in Week 18 against the Seahawks.

After winning the NFC East for the second time in three years, the Eagles handled the visiting Green Bay Packers last week, 22-10. It was the 13th win in 14 games for head coach Nick Sirianni’s team, and Philadelphia has reached the postseason in each of the four seasons that their coach has been at the helm. Let’s get into our Rams vs Eagles predictions and best bets for this huge NFL Playoffs matchup.

Rams vs Eagles Predictions

Pick #1: Los Angeles Rams +6.5 over Philadelphia Eagles (-115)

Pick #2: Under 44.5 (-118)

Pick #3: Saquon Barkley over 111.5 rushing yards (-114)

Pick #1: Rams +6.5 over Eagles (-115)

Recency bias points to a lopsided Philadelphia victory. The Eagles torched the Rams in Los Angeles in Week 12, winning 37-20. Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns and accounted for 302 total yards from scrimmage in that triumph. The Eagles are virtually unbeatable at Lincoln Financial Field this season, with eight straight wins and a 9-1 overall record.

That home dominance was on display against the Green Bay Packers in a 22-10 victory in last week’s Wild Card round. Jalen Hurts returned from concussion protocol to throw for two touchdowns while Barkley went for 119 yards, the 12th time this season he has topped 107 on the ground. Philadelphia is 11-1 in those contests. 

However, Los Angeles flashed some defensive grit itself in an impressive 27-9 victory over the Vikings. The Rams’ defense sacked Sam Darnold nine times and allowed just 269 total yards. Matthew Stafford threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Hurts looked confident in his return, but he still only threw for 131 yards. In fact, he has averaged just 135 passing yards in three postseason performances. The Eagles also lost Nakobe Dean, the team’s second-leading tackler during the regular season, to a knee injury in last week’s win. Philadelphia will continue to rely on its ground attack against a Rams defense that is 23rd against the run this season. 

The Rams are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games and 5-0 ATS in their last five road contests. Philadelphia is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games overall, but just 6-4 ATS at home. While an Eagles victory is expected, the Rams should be able to keep this one close enough to cover as 6.5-point underdogs.

Pick #2: Under 44.5 (-118)

Both of these teams have adapted to playoff football, accounting for lower combined totals. The Rams have played to the under four times in their last five games, including last week with just 36 total points scored against Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Eagles have played to the under five times in their last seven games, with 32 scored in their game with Green Bay. Both defenses have stepped up markedly in recent weeks and that trend should continue with this game going under 44.5 points.

Pick #3: Saquon Barkley Over 111.5 Rushing Yards (-114)

Barkley is the running back who keeps on giving. He surpassed 100 yards on the ground for the third time in four games and 12th time overall with his 119-yard output against the Packers last week. The 2,000-yard back is averaging nearly 125 yards on the ground per game this season. 

With Hurts in game-manager mode, the Eagles’ success should come down to Barkley, who easily handled the Rams’ defense the last go-round. Philadelphia’s offensive line must get bundles of credit here as well. Barkley has more than 1,000 yards rushing this season before contact. If Philadelphia is to advance, logic dictates that Barkley again fills the stat sheet. Look for him to rush for more than 111.5 yards on Sunday afternoon.