Rams Ready To Storm Bayou In NFC Title Tilt
A pair of 14-3 teams will knuckle up and throw down at the Superdome in New Orleans this Sunday and the best online sportsbooks, found at Sportsbook Review, have installed the Saints as 3½-point home chalk over the Rams in the NFC Championship Game. That is a stark departure from the opening line that had New Orleans as a mere 2½-point favorite, and if you don’t know what the big deal is about a measly point (which happens to pass through the three) then you ain’t been around much, kid.
Those of us who have been through the mill and around the block more than once understand that a field goal margin of victory is quite popular, thus if you’re betting the favorite at -3½ it could be a gut-wrenching failed cover decided by a half-point. But those who favor the underdog could very well be the beneficiaries of that fortuitous hook. And the brave few who have brass ones and believe the underdog is actually going to prevail and win the game outright will say goodbye to the points and bet the money line instead, which in this case is the Rams +160.
We are clearly on the side of the LA Rams in this game because we are not particularly impressed by the way New Orleans offense has been performing recently. Consider if you will that the Saints have failed to cover in five of their last six games, and had it not been for a superb defensive effort in the second half of last week’s game, this NFC title match would be in LA as the Eagles, and not the Saints, would be facing the Rams this week. And for an offense that is lauded by many of the pundits as the best in the football, the Saints have only engineered an average of 19.1 points per game over their last six games.
Some will point to the meeting on November 4 between these clubs as evidence that New Orleans is the better team after they delivered a 45-35 victory over the Rams. However, let’s not forget that perhaps their best down lineman, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, was present for that game but is out for this one with a torn Achilles he suffered last week against Philadelphia. That is a devastating loss for the Saints and one that will be overlooked by the casual bettor. Rankins’ absence will allow the dynamic duo of Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson more rushing room than they had in the previous meeting (Anderson wasn’t on the team then). Both of these stellar backs trampled Dallas last week with Anderson picking up 123 yards and two touchdowns while Gurley added 115 yards and one trip into the end zone in the Rams’ 30-22 win over the Cowboys.
We like the fact that LA may focus a bit more on running the ball because it will also give credence to a bet on the under in this game. When teams are running, the clock is ticking, which means lightning-quick aerial strikes will be less of a factor. Speaking of factors, cornerback Aqib Talib is back for the Rams after missing the first meeting and will be a factor in limiting the Drew Brees-to-Michael Thomas connection.
Better defense by the Rams and a sputtering New Orleans offense gives us reason to believe that the best online sportsbooks, found all in one place at Sportsbook Review, have the wrong favorite in this one. Jared Goff is missing his featured slot receiver Cooper Kupp yet still has so many weapons at his disposal which includes a devastating one-two punch in Gurley and Anderson. That means that the Rams will not only cover the number but win this one outright. Bet LA and under in this one.
Final Score: Rams 31, Saints 24