NFC wild-card preview: Can Falcons stop Todd Gurley, Rams?

We provided live updates and analysis during Saturday’s wild-card playoff game against the Rams as well as highlights, stats and additional insights.

Rams QB Jared Goff admits he’ll be nervous, like any other game, before taking the field in the National Football League playoffs on Saturday against Atlanta.

The last time Los Angeles had the opportunity to play postseason football, they played these same Falcons, but in the Georgia Dome with Michael Vick on the opposite sideline.

It’s tough for Phillips to face any opponent these days with which he has no connection, and the Falcons are no exception: He became Atlanta’s defensive coordinator for a 2002 playoff run, and he served as their interim head coach in 2003 for the fired Dan Reeves.

When it came to a Week 17 game against a hot division rival, no one said anything about momentum or post season awards, only an acknowledgement that whatever McVay was doing was working, therefore sitting out a game would to. “We’re battle ready. I think that’s important when you get to this time of year”. They dominated time of possession and softened up the Rams defense.

Not getting in their own way, like the Chargers are excellent at, is one thing.

Last year, it was Atlanta who had the all-conquering offence – what a difference a 12 months makes in the NFL. The Rams’ Jared Goff has had a breakout season, but would anyone be surprised if the enormity of the moment rattled the young player?

Our models see Hooper collecting just 2.8 catches and 28.3 yards for 5.9 FanDuel points against the Rams. But Ryan has his team back in the postseason despite a big dropoff in points and yards.

Robert Woods caught nine passes for 142 yards for the NFC West champion Rams (11-6), but rookie Cooper Kupp scored the Rams’ only touchdown late in the first half. If the Rams can get Todd Gurley going like they have and take pressure off the 2nd-year QB they can get that high-power attack cranking like they did most of the season.

“It was actually my first year [in Atlanta], so I remember him really well”, Quinn said. “I knew he was good, but I didn’t know he was better than everybody”. “So he had kind of the combination of the make you miss and the ability to kind of size you up and run you over”.

Already making 14 regular-season appearances as a member of the Rams this season, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender has produced 86 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions and four pass defenses.

Matt Bryant converted the field goal three plays later and the Falcons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead.