NFC Wild Card 2018, Falcons at Rams: Prediction, odds and pick

We’re getting ready to see the Los Angeles Rams host the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs. Which team will prevail in this contest?

There were four new division champions in the NFC this season from a year ago. In fact, the Atlanta Falcons are the only team in the conference back in the playoffs that made the trip back to the postseason in 2016. Will Dan Quinn’s club have a big edge in this clash with the Los Angeles Rams when it comes to experience in this setting?

Common sense says yes. But will it be enough to knock off the highest-scoring team in the NFL this season? Ironically, that numbers belong to Matt Ryan and the Falcons a year ago. It was enough to get them in Super Bowl LI. So can the NFC’s No. 3 seed led by the youngest head coach in league annals play copycat? First things first and that’s this NFC Wild Card showdown on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Odds

Line: Rams (-6)

Over/Under: 48.5

The Rams are hosting their first playoff game since residing in St. Louis back in 2003. The NFC West champions are a 6-point favorite to dethrone the conference champs – courtesy of OddsShark. And as you can see, those same folks expect plenty of fireworks when it comes to lighting up the Los Angeles Coliseum.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings, Week 17: Titans, Falcons, Bills join playoff field

When it comes to Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams, you can throw out last Sunday’s 21-point loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The team sat many of its starters in preparation for this weekend. That mean a well-rested Todd Gurley, the club’s top runner and pass-catchers. The Atlanta Falcons’ defense has played much better than it did a year ago but this will be a big challenge for Quinn’s defending NFC champions. It’s been a different kind of year for Ryan and the offense and it’s hard to imagine the Falcons keeping pace.

Pick: Rams 30, Falcons 20