The NFL playoffs kick off with what is supposed to be the most lopsided game of the weekend, as the Los Angeles Rams travel to Carolina to take on the 8-9 Panthers.
The Rams did limp into the playoffs a bit after dropping three of their last six games, but still came in with a 12-5 record. Carolina comes in off a loss to Tampa that threatened their playoff chances, but slipped in with some help from the New Orleans Saints, who beat Atlanta to create a three-way tie atop the NFC South.
The Rams are a 10 1/2-point favorite, the largest road favorite in NFL playoff history.
What time is the first NFL playoff game today?
The first game of Saturday’s NFL playoff doubleheader features the Los Angeles Rams traveling to face the Carolina Panthers at 2:30 p.m. MT/3:30 p.m. CT at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It will be televised on FOX.
What channel is NFL Wild Card game on?
The game between the Rams and Panthers will be televised nationally on FOX.
TV: FOX
Los Angeles Rams record
The Rams are 12-5
Carolina Panthers record
The Panthers are 8-9.
Rams vs Panthers odds
Rams -10 1/2. Over-under 46 1/2. The Los Angeles Rams are -625 on the money line and Carolina is +450.
Rams vs Panthers predictions
The line: Los Angeles Rams 29, Carolina Panthers 18.
With a line of 10 1/2 points and an over-under of 46 1/2, the Rams are expected to win 29-18 or 28-18.
The Arizona Republic: Rams 27, Panthers 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: “The Panthers beat the Rams on Nov. 30 at home, 31-28. Will we see a repeat of that game in the NFL playoff opener? Don’t count on it. Los Angeles’ defense with smother Bryce Young and Matthew Stafford will pick apart the Carolina secondary to lead the Rams to the second round of the NFL postseason.”
Bookies.com: Bet the Rams to cover vs Panthers
Bill Speros writes: “The last time the Panthers won the NFC South, they reached the Super Bowl behind Cam Newton before losing to Denver. The late afternoon start and mild winter weather of Charlotte should alleviate any concerns of another East Coast-Queen City flop. The Rams’ offense can clearly outpace whatever Bryce Young & Company can muster. The Panthers picked off Stafford three times (including a pick-six) in their earlier meeting. Hard to believe Stafford (65% completion rate, 4,448 yards, 46 TDs, 8 INTs this season) delivers a repeat performance. The Rams pull away in this one, and come through on the double-digit number. They’re clearly the Wild Card team to watch in the NFC.”
Sports Betting Dime: Rams 29.2, Panthers 12.1
The site’s formula predicts that the Rams will win the NFL playoff game against the Panthers.
ESPN: Rams have a 74.2% chance to beat Panthers on Saturday
The site gives the Panthers a 25.8% shot at winning the NFL playoff game.
Dimers: Rams 28, Panthers 18
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives the Rams a win probability of 82%, while the Panthers have a win probability of 18%.”
Sportsnaut: Los Angeles Rams 31, Carolina Panthers 21
Matt Johnson writes: “The Rams offense only had three games this season with multiple turnovers, so Carolina’s takeaways in the last meeting reflects a bit more luck. Unless the Panthers are able to replicate that good fortune on Wild Card Weekend, they simply lack the firepower on either side of the football to compete with Los Angeles.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: What channel is first NFL playoff game on today? Rams vs Panthers odds
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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