Well, that didn’t disappoint! Let’s move onto the NFC and close out Saturday. The Los Angeles Rams host the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC divisional round. A game that may deliver similar feelings to San Francisco 49ers fans as last week. The game kicks off at 5:15 p.m. PT on FOX, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the announcer booth. Erin Andrews will be on the sidelines.
The Rams went into an arms race in the offseason putting pieces together on defense for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. They traded for Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib and signed Ndamukong Suh. This made what was already a solid defense with Aaron Donald even more fearsome. On the other side of the ball, Sean McVay’s playcalling has made Jared Goff’s numbers grow exponentially by the game and Todd Gurley is one of, if not the best running back in the league. There is only one game where they did not score more than 21 points (a 15-6 loss to the Chicago Bears) and they are averaging 28 points a game when they win. No doubt the Cowboys have their work cut out for them.
The Cowboys are coming off a big playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks. A win made possible thanks to some crazy onside dropkick botched in the final minutes of the game. The trade for Amari Cooper has revitalized the wide receiver group, but Ezekiel Elliott was the start of last week, racking up numbers against what was becoming a solid Seahawk defense.
Dallas is a seven point underdog, and the public money is coming in on Dak & Co. They finished the season fairly well while the Rams stumbled a bit. LA’s defense has not lived up to its preseason billing, but is still middle of the pack and has Aaron Donald. On offense, they’ll have Todd Gurley back. I don’t see any scenario where the Cowboys can win this. They are on the road and Los Angeles eclipses them in all positions except maybe wide receiver. This might get ugly quick.
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
When: January 12, 2018 | 5:15 p.m. PT
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (commentary) Erin Andrews (sidelines)
Radio: Cowboys Radio | Rams Radio (ESPNLA)
Online Streaming: Fox Sports
Odds: Rams, -7
Rams blog: Turf Show Times
Cowboys blog: Blogging the Boys