The NFL 2025 Playoffs get underway on Saturday night when we have a double header of Wildcard Round action which begins at the Bank of Charlotte Stadium as the NFC South winners Carolina Panthers host the Los Angeles Rams.
Although they are the road team in this match, the Rams will go into the game as emphatic favourites courtesy of a much better regular season record. The Panthers will be hoping that home advantage and a raucous crowd can bridge the gap.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers would have to go down as surprise winners of the NFC South but in many ways they were champions of the division that were flattered a little. They got hold of the trophy courtesy of strength of teams they faced in what was quite an ordinary division and they literally fell over the line in attempting to win it too. Had it not been for the fact that Carolina beat the Rams here a few weeks ago, it would be hard to make any case for them whatsoever.
The Panthers look bang up against it here. They have lost three of their last four matches, including a defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and if they are to win this then they are going to need some turnovers from their defence you would imagine. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to run the ball on the Rams but their rush defence showed up last week which was a positive. One thing which could keep them competitive is an indifferent weather forecast.
Special Offer
Sign up for a Boylesports account and bet £10 to get up to £20 in free bets! Perfect offer for the NFL! Click the image below for this great offer! New accounts only. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams came out of the best division in football in terms of records this season and as a result of that they go on the road in the postseason as double digit favourites to come out on top and book their spot in the divisional round of games next weekend. If they are going to do that then they are going to need to overturn their loss at this venue a few weeks ago and might have to do it in different ways if the forecast is to be believed but they look equipped to do that.
One thing which will help the Rams overturn that loss is the expected return of Davante Adams, the leading receiving touchdown scorer in the NFL this season. They also bring the favourite for the MVP award to Charlotte with them in Matthew Stafford and if those two link up then this should be a quick night for the Rams. With a coach who has won the Super Bowl and a quarterback who is full of confidence, Los Angeles look more than worthy favourites here.
Betting
I expect the Los Angeles Rams to win this but point spreads around the double digit mark with a dodgy weather forecast in a situation where winning is all that matters aren’t really bets for me so I’m going to look elsewhere for a punt in this one because I can’t be having a team with a losing record carrying my money in the postseason. That bet comes in the form of the passing yards of Matthew Stafford where a 260.5 line might be on the high side.
In a losing cause here in week 13, Stafford only passed for 243 yards and with the game state expected to be the Rams well in front we could easily see them managing the clock for much of the second half. Stafford only threw for 259 yards last week in a match where the Rams were well in front, similar to how they are expected to be here. Baker Mayfield only passed for 203 yards on this Carolina side last week in what was effectively a playoff match and you have to go back to week 15 for the last time an opposing quarterback covered this line. Throw in the forecast for rain and I like the under here.
Tips
Back M.Stafford – Under 260.5 passing yards for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Betway
Be the first to comment on "NFL 2025 Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers Tips and Betting Preview"