2021 NFL Playoffs picks, score predictions for Wild Card Round

Los Angeles Rams (6) at Seattle Seahawks (3)

Saturday, January 9, 4:40PM ET

Why does this matchup feel so familiar? The sense I get is the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams have been squaring off every few weeks, and now get yet another opportunity to pummel each other in hopes of moving on to the Divisional Round.

That’s obviously not the case, seeing as the most times any two teams can meet during the regular season is twice. However, the Seahawks and Rams know each other, and will be out looking to inflict some punishment on their way to a win on Saturday. The only question is who ends up in the victory circle when all is said and done?

Seattle, that’s who. The Rams are not right heading into the postseason. They’ve lost four of their last six games, including the season’s most embarrassing loss by any team — a 23-20 defeat at the hands of the then-winless New York Jets. Jared Goff is coming off surgery, and Los Angeles only really made the playoffs because there was no one better to beat them out for the spot.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, have been dominant down the stretch. The defense is finally unlocking the potential it possessed on paper, and Russell Wilson is capable of having a magical performance at any moment. Seattle gets the win and sends its divisional foe packing, even if it isn’t as convincing of a performance as fans would like.

Prediction: Seahawks win 20-16