On Pattison Picks: Will Eagles defeat Rams to advance to NFC championship game?

The Los Angeles Rams will visit a frigid (and possibly snowy) Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday to battle the Eagles.

The Rams looked impressive in their Wild Card round win over the Vikings. But they were forced to travel to Arizona for the game due to the LA-area wildfires, played on Monday night, and faced a short week to travel cross-country and prepare for the Birds.

The Eagles looked impressive last week as well, of course, in their home win over the Packers. And the Birds were then granted the advantage of a full week of preparation without travel.

As of Saturday morning, the Birds are favored by a consensus of 6.5 points at U.S. sportsbooks. Here's what our On Pattison staffers believe will happen on Sunday at the Linc:

Tim Kelly

Score: Eagles 24 - Rams 14

MVP: Saquon Barkley

Matthew Stafford wasted away for far too long in Detroit, and it's great that he's had this second act in Los Angeles that has allowed people to appreciate how gifted of a passer he is. The top of the roster is excellent in Los Angeles with Stafford, Puka Nacua and Jared Verse, while Sean McVay is probably a top-five coach. Still, I feel like the Rams are probably another draft class away from being a team that can go to the Super Bowl.

When you add in expected inclement weather and that Saquon Barkley set a franchise record with 255 rushing yards the last two times these teams met, I believe the Eagles will advance to their second NFC Championship Game in three years. It certainly doesn't hurt that Vic Fangio's defense is smothering teams right now.

Are you rolling with the Rams or Eagles offense? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OD93UN41nM

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 18, 2025

Anthony SanFilippo

Score: Eagles 20 - Rams 16

MVP: Cooper DeJean

By no means is this an easy win. In fact, the weather alone will keep it closer. Both teams will try to run the ball, and although I think Saquon Barkley will get his, so will Kyren Williams. The Eagles will advance because of their ability to take away Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Cooper DeJean will be part of that, but that’s not the reason he’s my choice for MVP. No, I think he makes a big play on special teams with a long punt return - if  not for a touchdown, then for a good chunk of yardage that sets up a key score. And with that, it’ll be on to the NFC Championship game.

Matthew Stafford has a 1-8 record in his career when it rains or snows at time of kickoff.

14 pass TD, 13 turnovers.#Rams #Eagles

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) January 17, 2025

John Foley

Score: Eagles 28 - Rams 14

MVP: Saquon Barkley

No team that makes it to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs should be taken lightly. The Rams completely dismantled the Viking on a neutral site last week. They have some lethal weapons on offense and their defense is peaking at the right time, racking up approximately 200 sacks on Sam Darnold in Arizona.

With all that cowardly prefacing aside: this is the Eagles' game to lose. They're at home. They're largely healthy (linebacker Nakobe Dean representing the major exception). The offensive line bullied the Rams to the tune of 314 rushing yards in the teams' Week 12 matchup, and there aren't many reasons to think they can't do it again.

Saquon Barkley prances through the snow in this one. The Rams punch back with some big plays of their own, but the Birds grind them down and win handily.

I’ve seen/heard enough of trying to manufacture fear about the Rams. The Eagles are a 15-3 juggernaut with:

- maybe the best O-line we’ve ever seen
- a generational RB in a 2,000-yard season
- a 48-19 Head coach/QB combo
- the NFL’s #1 defense

Lets grow up and have some faith pic.twitter.com/EfjSyPxsFn

— Eagles Fan Central (@PhilaFanCentral) January 17, 2025

Austin Krell

Score: Eagles 28 - Rams 24

MVP: A.J. Brown

Only fitting that the guy who changed an author’s life just by reading a book on the sideline last week makes some magnificent plays this week. Yeah, McVay, Stafford and Nacua. But, I’ll hang with the team that established the body of work throughout the season.

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