NFL Playoff Predictions: Who will make the Super Bowl?

Hugh Ferris: Rams

The Week 16 matchup between these two teams was crazy, but among all the high-scoring and overtime drama, was there any clue as to how this game would go? If the Rams, a rare team that has discovered Seattle’s No. 1 defense, can replicate their offensive performance, I can’t see Sam Darnold making the kind of comeback in the second half that he did in their last meeting. Put it this way, if Puka Nacua gets 225 yards again, the Rams will win.

Rob Staton: Seahawks

You could make an argument, Sean McVay is the only coach who has Mike McDonald’s number. In the last three years, McDonald’s defense (in Baltimore and Seattle) has given up 28 points per game against McVay and the Rams. In front of everyone, 18 points per game. Matthew Stafford is a top performer, Puka Nacua is arguably the player of the season at any position in the NFL and the Rams were supposed to win in Seattle in Week 16.

However, the Seahawks have stepped up their game since then. The defense has reached new heights, they are running the ball much better, and they have dramatically reduced turnovers on offense. They also have more balance on their roster. The Rams have regressed a bit on defense and there is a huge special teams advantage in Seattle.

I think it will be close and it could come down to the wire. Either team could win in what could be a meeting between the two best teams in the NFL. I think the home team will find a way.

Paul Higham: Seahawks

Just one point and, amazingly, only one yard of offense between these two sides in two pulsating games this season, and that’s effectively a coin toss between the two best teams in the NFL.

Matthew Stafford put up 37 points on Seattle’s imposing defense, which has allowed just 44 points combined in the other six of its past seven games, so maybe Los Angeles just has his number?

Seattle had seven turnovers in those two games and had just one from the Rams. This would again suggest that Los Angeles has the advantage, but the Hawks are unlikely to commit that many again.

So, with a clean game, a home crowd, and a little bit of Sam Darnold finally proving himself in the playoffs, the Seahawks could pinch it.