The Los Angeles Rams are looking for payback on Saturday after getting upset in shocking fashion by the Carolina Panthers in Week 13. Unlike their game in November, the loser of this one will watch their season end, so the stakes are much greater.
Bill Belichick previewed all six wild-card games on SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go” podcast this week and he expects “a little different story” this time around when the Rams and Panthers square off. He praised the Rams for having a stout defensive front, while also saying they’re simply the “better team” than the Panthers.
He didn’t share a score prediction, but he clearly thinks the Rams will come away with a win.
“The Rams are very good on the defensive front,” he said. “I think that they just have the better team. And so I know they gotta go on the road and all that, and honestly, they’ll probably benefit from having already played Carolina. I think it’ll probably be a little different story this time.”
Interestingly, Belichick doesn’t think the Rams are one of the two teams to beat in the playoffs, though. He gave those titles to the two No. 1 seeds: Seahawks and Broncos.
“When you look at Denver and Seattle, those are two good football teams that are very well balanced,” Belichick said. “Denver’s been incredible with the number of close games they’ve won, but they’re both very good defensive teams, which is, I think, always an advantage when you play in the playoffs and play at home, and play outside. … When I say ‘all’ that’s a lot easier said than done, but all Denver and Seattle have to do are win two games at home and they’re in the Super Bowl. And that’s doable with a week off. So I think they’re definitely the two teams to beat.”
The Rams could get a rematch with the Seahawks in the divisional round if the Bears and Eagles both win, sending Sean McVay’s team to Seattle for a third meeting with the Seahawks.
Of course, the Rams have to get by the Panthers first and they’re not going to overlook them, but it’s very possible they’ll get another shot at the Seahawks sometime this month.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Bill Belichick shares his prediction for how Rams-Panthers will go
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
