Coach Rick Bowe, NFL Picks, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 1/25/26

Coach Rick Bowe, NFL Picks, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 1/25/26

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

LA RAMS @ SEATTLE (SEA -2.5, 45.5)

NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS

COACH RICK NFL PREVIEWS

RAMS @ SEAHAWKS 1/25/26

The Los Angeles Rams are Sam Darnold's worst enemy. That adds even more intrigue to Sunday's NFC Championship Game in Seattle, especially in light of Darnold's oblique injury.

"Just attacking rehab these last couple days," described the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. "Obviously, will be throughout the week; just got to continue to prepare and get my body right for Sunday."

During practice last week, Darnold made some adjustments to account for the injury. As the Seahawks defeated the visiting San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in the divisional playoffs on Saturday, it didn't appear to stop him. Naturally, the Seahawks' running game, defense, and special teams were so strong that Darnold wasn't asked to do much. Darnold had no turnovers while going 12-of-17 for 124 yards and a touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Darnold was actually limited in practice this week, but he is not on the injury report. He has had issues against the Rams this season. In Week 11, he threw four interceptions in a 21-19 loss to the Rams. He still almost led Seattle to a win until Jason Myers' last-second 61-yard field goal try went wide right.

In a 27-9 loss last year during a playoff game while playing for Minnesota, Darnold was sacked nine times by the Rams. He also had two turnovers, one of which was a fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown.

Darnold threw two picks and was sacked four times as the Seahawks fell down 16 points in the fourth quarter on December 18 in Seattle. Then, in overtime for a 38-37 triumph, he spearheaded an incredible comeback and found backup tight end Eric Saubert for a two-point conversion that gave the Seahawks a 38-37 win.

Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks' backup running back and regular season leader with 12 rushing touchdowns, had a severe knee injury against the 49ers and will miss the remainder of the season. Kenneth Walker III, the starter, ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns last week, carrying the load.

The Seahawks (15-3) are particularly concerned about injuries at left tackle, as the top three prospects are all sidelined. Due to a foot injury, starter Charles Cross left the game in the third quarter last week and never came back. Third-stringer Amari Kight, a rookie, played the last 17 snaps but missed practice this week due to a knee injury, and his backup, Josh Jones, was out against the 49ers due to knee and ankle problems.

Cross should be ready for the NFC championship game after returning to full practice on Friday. Kight is listed as doubtful, and Jones is rated as questionable. RB Robbie Ouzts (neck) was listed as questionable by Seattle, while linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle) was ruled out.

To advance to the conference championship game, the Rams (14-5) have won two consecutive away playoff games. They defeated Chicago 20-17 in overtime last Sunday and Carolina 34-31 on January 10.

Only linebacker Byron Young (knee) is regarded as questionable among the active players. Rob Havenstein, an offensive tackle on injured reserve who was expected to make a comeback, will not play due to an ankle injury.

During the regular season, the Los Angeles offense led the league in both yards (394.6 per game) and scoring (30.5), but they struggled in Chicago's frigid and unfriendly atmosphere. Seattle will be even noisier on Sunday.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, a strong contender for MVP, stated, "Everyone's gotta be on the same page and communicate when you go into the environment that we're going into here on Sunday in Seattle." That is the essence of offense. Eleven people must work together as one.

Davante Adams of the Rams, who finished first in the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns during the regular season, was sidelined by an injury during the most recent game against Seattle.

Get free NFL Picks and NFL Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2025 NFL schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert NFL handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the NFL betting community the best NFL free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best NFL moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK: SAM DARNOLD OVER 0.5 INTERCEPTIONS

Sam Darnold has had a very good season for Seattle. He’s thrown for over 4,000 yards and had 25 TDs during the regular season. But, he did throw 14 interceptions and 6 of those picks were against the Rams. LA finished tied for fifth in the NFL with 16 interceptions. The Rams picked off Bryce Young once in the opening round of the playoffs and they intercepted Caleb Williams three times in last week’s win over the Bears. 

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Ylose expert Coach Rick Bowe delivers his daily Quick Picks. The Coach continues to roll up big wins in college basketball, college football, the NFL, MLB and much more. Coach Rick offers a unique perspective to handicapping. Check out his daily free picks right here and jump on his daily Best Bets, which you can find right here at Ylose.com/coach.