The #4 seed Cowboys advance to take on the #2 seed Rams in Los Angeles. The Cowboys lead the all time series 17-16, but the Rams took the last matchup 35-30 in Dallas last season.
The Cowboys knocked off the #5 seed Seahawks last weekend 24-22. In week 16 they beat the Buccaneers 27-20, and in week 17 they beat the Giants 36-35.
The Rams should be fresh coming off their 1st round bye, but defeated the 49ers 48-32 in week 17. In week 15 they lost 30-23 to the Eagles, and in week 116 they beat the Cardinals 31-9.
Bovada has the Rams as 7 point favourites with an O/U total of 49.
The Cowboys offense hasn’t blown anyone away all season, but they have done just enough to supplement their excellent defensive performances. On the year Dak Prescott has thrown for 4110 yards, 23 TDs, and 9 INTs while completing 67.6% of his passes and averaging 7.4 YPA. Amari Cooper has given them a dynamic down the field threat, catching 60 balls for 830 yards and 6 TDs in his 10 games with the Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott (81/599/3), Cole Beasley (68/700/3), and Michael Gallup (35/525/3) fill other roles as well. On the ground, Zeke Elliott drives the offense with his 330 carries for 1572 yards and 7 TDs this season, while Dak Prescott is involved as well with 81 carries for 334 yards and 7 TDs.
The Cowboys regular season defense ranked 6th in scoring allowing 20.2 PPG. Their passing defense ranked 13th allowing 234.7 yards per game and 22 TDs through the air while their pass rush ranked t-16th with 39 sacks. Their run defense ranked 5th, allowing 94.6 yards per game and 12 TDs on the ground. The Cowboys defense forced 20 turnovers and as a team they owned a +3 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
WR Cole Beasley (ankle) – questionable
DT David Irving (ankle) – questionable
The Rams offense bounced back over the last 2 weeks of the season after a few disappointing performances. On the year Jared Goff has thrown for 4688 yards, 32 TDs, and 12 INTs while completing 64.9% of his passes and averaging 8.4 YPA. Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks have been dynamic in the receiving game, as Cooks has gone for 80 catches for 1204 yards and 5 TDs and Woods has caught 86 balls for 1219 yards and 6 TDs. Todd Gurley (59/580/4), Gerald Everett (33/320/3), and Josh Reynolds (29/402/5) are heavily involved as well. Todd Gurley and his 256/1251/17 TDs on the ground should be well rested after sitting out the last 2 weeks of the season. If Gurley isn’t 100% they should feel confident with C.J. Anderson behind him who rushed for 299 yards and 2 TDs on 43 carries over the last 2 weeks of the season.
The Rams regular season scoring defense ranked 20th, allowing 24 PPG. Their passing defense ranked 14th allowing 236.2 yards per game and 31 TDs through the air while their pass rush ranked 15th with 41 sacks. Their run defense ranked 23rd, allowing 122.3 yards per game and 12 TDs on the ground. The Rams defense forced 30 turnovers (3rd) and as a team they owned a +11 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
OT Andrew Whitworth (knee) – questionable
RB Todd Gurley (knee) – questionable
S Lamarcus Joyner (knee) – questionable
The Cowboys offense is going to run through Zeke Elliott on the ground, and they should find favorable running lanes against a Rams run D that has been gashed occasionally this season. They should also feel comfortable using Zeke and Cole Beasley in the short passing game. Dak Prescott won’t have a lot of time to sit back and scan the secondary with Aaron Donald and the Rams pass rush bearing down on him, and the Rams secondary is opportunistic to make some plays.
The Rams offense will find tough sledding on the ground with the Cowboys upper echelon run defense, but they can present some different looks with Gurley and C.J. Anderson. Through the air Jared Goff should find some passing lanes down the field as Sean McVay has shown he can torch these Cover 3 dependent teams again and again, but the Cowboys pass rush can create some havoc off the edge against a banged up Andrew Whitworth. The Rams should walk away with a comfortable win here, but in playoff football 7 points is a lot to ask and the Cowboys can make enough plays defensively to keep it within a score.
Final Pick: Cowboys (+7)
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