The sportsbook NFL odds favor the Seattle Seahawks versus the Los Angeles Rams. For all intents and purposes, this will be a virtual NFC West championship game. The winner will not be immediately crowned division champion. However, with the Niners out of contention and the Cards below .500, the division will be eventually settled between these two. And perhaps even sooner than eventually. The Rams are one game ahead of the ‘Hawks, but the latter beat the former earlier in the season. Whoever wins this one will be a shoo-in to clinch the divisional title.
Still in control 👊#LARams pic.twitter.com/kxtaUCjbzu
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 13, 2017
A virtual NFC West championship game
- Date: Sunday, 17th December
- Time: 4:10 PM
- Venue: CenturyLink Field
Online Sportsbook NFL odds:
Rams +2 (-110) 47½ (-115)
Seahawks -2 (-110) 47½ (-105)
The Rams have a tendency to no cover in Seattle
Los Angeles were stopped in their tracks when they hosted the Seahawks in week 5. The Rams scored their then-fewest points of the season, and second-fewest overall this year. It’s also been Jared Goff’s only game throwing multiple picks thus far. However, the Rams offense will not be meeting the same defense as on that occasion. Many key components of Seattle’s secondary unit have gone MIA ever since. This may boost Goff’s confidence. The former Golden Bear squandered two opportunities to put the Eagles away. Both in the fourth quarter. He lost a fumble. Then he failed to complete a third down pass. The Rams lost 35-43 to Philly. Goff had similar problems in the aforementioned game with the ‘Hawks.
As far as the Rams are concerned, Seattle is the Emerald City less like the Land of Oz and more like Oswald State Correctional Facility. They have gone 1-11 SU and 3-9 ATS in its last 12 visits to the Seahawks. On the other hand, the Rams have not lost consecutive games this season and are 3-1 ATS following a game in which they didn’t cover the NFL betting spread.
The Seahawks tend to compensate for a straight-up loss by covering
The ‘Hawks remaining defensive players have picked up the slack in the absence of their fallen comrades. Seattle ranks eight in points allowed. However, It’s the offense, specifically, Russell Wilson, who is to be credited whenever the Seahawks pick up a win. Wilson has been responsible for 32 of Seattle’s 33 offensive TDs this campaign. Wilson is every bit the locker-room leader he is gridiron general. “We’re playing for first place,” he reminded his teammates following Sunday’s 24-30 loss to the Jaguars, referring to their virtual NFC West championship game with the Rams.
The Seahawks are 13-1 SU in their last 14 games after a loss and 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight-up loss, so we know Wilson can motivate enough to not just win but also cover. Or was just trying to cover his arse after throwing three picks. Additionally, the Seahawks are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games in Week 15, and 20-7-1 against the NFL betting spread in their last 28 December games.