Los Angeles Rams: Staff predictions for Cowboys-Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are hosting the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round in the most anticipated Divisional Round game of recent memory.

The Los Angeles Rams dodged a bullet when Cody Parkey missed field goal gave the Philadelphia Eagles the win over the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card Round. Instead of playing the same team that embarrassed them a month ago, the Los Angeles Rams will host the Dallas Cowboys.

The last time these two teams squared off was in 2017 when the Los Angeles Rams handed the Cowboys a 35-30 loss in Week 4. In many ways, this was served as the start of the Rams being a playoff-caliber team under Sean McVay.

Since then the Rams have been great, compiling an 11-5 overall record in 2017 and a 13-3 record in 2018. That was good enough to give the Rams the second seed in the NFC and will lead to this heavily-anticipated Divisional Round matchup.

The Rams are the betting favorites in Vegas but have no easy task in front of them. Dallas had a huge win over the New Orleans Saints earlier in the season and proved that they can slow a good offense down with their pass-rush and linebacker unit.

It is a fun matchup and should present one of the best games in the entire playoffs. Here is how the LA Sports Hub staff sees it shaking out.

Jamaal Artis: (18-9): 27-10, Dallas Cowboys

Rams fans should have a sense of dread for this weekend’s Divisional Playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Todd Gurley’s health status is still up in the air, Jared Goff has looked bad since his security blanket Cooper Kupp went down and there’s always the memories of last years playoff debacle where the offense looked rusty and blew a winnable playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Cowboys come in with swagger and talent. Dak Prescott can beat the Rams with his arm and legs and Ezekiel Elliott must be salivating facing a Rams run defense that gave up 5.1 yards per rushing play.

Redan Lopez (20-8): 27-24, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are appearing in their second playoff game under coach Sean McVay. While I do share some skepticism about their defense, I think their offense is superior to the Cowboys.

The Cowboys are limited offensively and will need running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott to run wild in order to have a chance to win. While I do think Elliot will have a great game, I think Prescott will not.

The Cowboys will control the clock for some time, but not enough. I think Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff and a healthier Todd Gurley will have enough time to operate and squeak out a victory against an elite Cowboys defense.

The Rams just have too many ways to beat the Cowboys in the air and on the ground; it will show in this game. The better offense takes down the better defense here.

Jason Reed (27-4): 30-20, Los Angeles Rams

If the first round of the NFL Playoffs showed us anything it is that a good defense can take you so far in today’s NFL but eventually you are going to need the offense to step it up. We saw three good defensive teams in the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears lose as a result.

Defense is definitely important, just ask the Los Angeles Chargers after their showing or the Dallas Cowboys. Having an incapable defense can sting in the playoffs, hence why not everyone is buying in on the Kansas City Chiefs.

There are concerns about the Rams defense but there are enough playmakers to at least get them by. Aaron Donald is going to be a terror and the secondary can play a bend, don’t break, game with the pass-rush coming at Prescott.

This game is going to be won by the Cowboys’ inefficiencies on offense and the Rams’ ability to drive down the field against the Cowboys. Seattle gave the Rams a little bit of a blueprint late in the game in how to score against Dallas; expect the Rams to use similar play calling.

This game will be close but the Rams will net a field goal that puts them up two scores with a little over four minutes remaining. Prescott will commit a turnover and the Rams will move on to the NFC Championship.