The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are well acquainted.
The two NFC West rivals battled at the top of the division for the majority of the 2020 season, with the Seahawks earning the crown after six wins in their final seven games.
Seattle actually lost the first matchup between the two teams in Week 10, but got revenge on L.A. in a Week 16 matchup that ultimately swung the course of the division.
All that matters now is the trilogy in the Wild Card Round.
Whereas the Seahawks enter the playoffs feeling confident (especially on the defensive side of the ball), the Rams have quite a bit more uncertainty.
Jared Goff practiced Wednesday for the first time all week, but he is still nursing an injured thumb, and it remains to be seen just how effective he can be even if he suits up. The good news for L.A. is the return of Cooper Kupp, who was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
This could just as easily be a defensive grudge match. The two teams failed to combine for more than 40 points in either of their first two matchups, and it is very plausible to envision another low-scoring contest on Saturday.
Here are four bold predictions for the Rams as they hope to win the third showdown between the two teams.
1. Cooper Kupp goes for over 100 yards
Let's start with Kupp, shall we?
The 27-year-old had a strong season, with 92 receptions for 974 yards in 15 games. Kupp finished with the most drops in his career, but also broke more tackles and posted a career-high 74.2 catch percentage.
Kupp has been a reliable target in the passing game, and he figures to be the most important receiver against Seattle because he will line up all over the field and try to make plays in the seams. The former third-round pick also had the most success creating separation and making catches in L.A.'s first two games against Seattle.
Ideally, the Rams would probably prefer to run the ball, especially with Goff ailing. But the Seahawks have been tremendous against the run this season, ranking fifth in both rushing yards allowed and yards per carry. So, the Rams could have no choice but to air it out.
This should mean a lot of Kupp, who will also run his usual underneath routes and hope to free up more space after the catch.
Additionally, Goff might have more time to throw in the event Seahawks safety Jamal Adams cannot play, which would be huge for L.A.'s passing game.
2. Jared Goff throws three touchdowns
This one is especially bold because it is technically unknown whether Goff will be able to play. However, if he is practicing, he is almost certainly going to suit up barring a major physical setback.
Goff had a rough go of things in the second half of 2020 after a strong start to the season. He has been especially poor as of late, posting two of his four lowest quarterback ratings of the season in Week 14 and Week 16. Goff also averaged under six yards gained per pass attempt in the final three games.
But the Rams need the former No. 1 overall pick to show up and perform. Most importantly, L.A. needs to finish scoring drives.
The Rams' loss to the Seahawks is a good example here. Los Angeles ate up six minutes of clock in its second drive of the game, but settled for a field goal. The Rams were driving again in the second quarter and were just outside the red zone when Goff threw an interception, ending a drive that lasted over five minutes. Seattle also stuffed L.A. with a goal-line stand in the third quarter.
Needless to say, these things cannot happen Saturday. Goff and the Rams need to get in the end zone, and Sean McVay might be aggressive in dialing up passes when L.A. gets into Seattle territory.
Rams wideout Robert Woods said Goff looked good in a limited fashion Wednesday. That's good news for the Rams, who desperately need their signal-caller to play well.
3. Aaron Donald gets four sacks
It might seem unprecedented to suggest Donald will be so prolific when the Seahawks are sure to lend plenty of attention to him up front.
But these are bold predictions, and he's Aaron Donald.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year finished the season with 13.5 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, 14 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles. He remains the best defensive player of the game and is especially motivated to face this Seahawks team.
Donald himself said the Rams wanted Seattle in the playoffs:
“That’s what we wanted. That’s exactly what we wanted,” – Aaron Donald on facing the Seahawks in the wild-card round of the playoffs next week. pic.twitter.com/1dSbewmGcI
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 4, 2021
Now, he has his chance.
Donald had a sack in the last meeting between the two teams, and he also had a pair of quarterback hits in the first contest. He will be out to cause even more havoc to help the Rams advance, and a four-sack game might not be out of the question, considering he did it earlier this year.
4. Rams win 24-17
The Seahawks have all the momentum heading into this one, but the Rams have the best defense in the league, and they are getting healthier.
If Goff comes to play and finishes drives, L.A. will apply more pressure on Russell Wilson and Co., and Wilson will already be getting plenty from Donald and the rest of a stout Rams front.
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