Cowboys vs Rams NFC Divisional Round Lines & Analysis

The Los Angeles Rams prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Rams have not won a postseason game since 2004, and the Cowboys present plenty of challenges. Two of the top running backs in the game will square off, as the Rams’ Todd Gurley II and the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott share an interesting statistic. Since Gurley entered the league in 2015, he has the most touches, rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage. However, since Elliott entered a year later, he has the most touches, rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage, according to NFL Research. The Rams and Cowboys meet in the playoffs for the ninth time; each team has won four times, but the Rams have won three of the last four. Overall, the Rams have won seven of nine divisional games at home, but they haven’t played a divisional game at home since 2003. Can Los Angeles avoid the postseason heartache that plagued them a year ago, as they lost at home in the wild card round to Atlanta? Or will Dallas mount an upset and make their first NFC Championship in 23 years? We have your NFL betting preview right here.

Cowboys vs Rams NFC Divisional Round Lines & Analysis

.@CowboysBreak talks #DALvsLAR and debates Ezekiel Elliott vs Todd Gurley. #FinishThisFight Full podcast 🎙 https://t.co/RBjQny96UP pic.twitter.com/ySmnuGMVRQ

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 8, 2019

When: Saturday, January 12, 2019, 8:15pm ET Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum TV: FOX Radio: Westwood One Live Stream: NFL Live NFC Divisional Round Odds: Los Angeles -7

Why should you bet on the Cowboys?

Dallas’ offense was able to move the ball up and down the field against Seattle, which was a major question mark going in. Tailback Ezekiel Elliott ran for 137 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Amari Cooper had seven catches for 106 yards. Dak Prescott threw for 226 yards and a touchdown (and a pick). He also ran for 29 yards and a score, including a key quarterback draw on third-and-14 in the red zone that picked up a first down. The Cowboys’ defense was solid against the run but gave up some big plays through the air, including a late drive that allowed Seattle to close the gap to two points. The Cowboys have covered in six of their last eight games against NFC competition but only six times in their last 19 games against a team with a winning record. In road playoff games, they have covered just twice in their last seven attempts. If you like Dallas here, you see them pounding the ball on the ground and using their defense to frustrate the Rams — who have not finished the season particularly well.

Why should you put your money on the Rams?

The Rams were able to finish off the 49ers in Week 17 but gave up 32 points in the process and played their starters, as a loss would have put them in danger of losing their first-round bye. Jared Goff threw for 199 yards and four scores, and tailback C.J. Anderson rumbled for 132 yards and a score. Brandin Cooks had two touchdown catches on the day as the Rams were able to move the ball at will. The issue for the Rams may come on defense, as they have given up some big point totals in the second half of the season, including 30 points to a Philadelphia team that was starting backup quarterback Nick Foles. The Rams have a fairly large line here at seven points. They have only covered once in their last six home games and once in their last five home postseason games. If you like Los Angeles, you think that their passing game will torch a Dallas secondary that can give up a lot of big plays at times, and you think that Dallas’ offense will grind back down to that slow level that plagued them through the first half of the season.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I’d look hard for a line that is smaller than seven points, because I see this potentially coming down to the last drive of the game. I think the Rams win but the Cowboys cover, with a final of Los Angeles 24, Dallas 20.