Kris Johnson Deputy Editor -- CasinoBeats.com
Kris Johnson is a Charlotte-based deputy editor. He joined CasinoBeats in July 2025 and oversees the daily news flow of editing and publishing. Kris also reports on all aspects of the gambling industry with a...
Read Full BioIt’s Christmas time all over again for football fans, as the NFL Playoffs start Saturday with a pair of games featuring NFC foes.
The Panthers (8-9) secured their spot in the postseason by sneaking through the back door, gaining entry when the Falcons defeated the Saints in Week 18. The Rams (12-5) travel to Charlotte to face Carolina in Saturday’s first game at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The Packers (9-7-1) then meet the Bears (11-6) in Saturday’s nightcap at Soldier Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Here, we examine the prospects for the Los Angeles Rams to reach Super Bowl 60.
NFC Championship Odds at BetMGM
BetMGM offered the following NFC Championship odds as of publication:
- Seahawks +175
- Rams +240
- Eagles +450
- Bears +950
- Packers +1200
- 49ers +1400
- Panthers +8000
According to John Ewing, who oversees data and PR for BetMGM, the Panthers represent the sportsbook’s largest liability.
Rams Rate NFC Playoff Edge Despite Recent Struggles
Los Angeles spent a long time atop Super Bowl futures odds boards before being overtaken by Seattle late in the season. The NFC West teams split the regular season series, with the home team prevailing in each contest.
In one of the most memorable games of the season, the Seahawks outlasted the Rams, 38-37, in overtime on Dec. 18. Los Angeles, which somehow squandered a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter of that game, then traveled to Atlanta and lost to the Falcons, 27-24.
Why are we backing a team that lost two of its last three games? A big reason is the much-anticipated return of WR Davante Adams after he missed the better part of a month due to a hamstring injury.
Despite being sidelined for the last three games, Adams still led all NFL wide receivers with 14 TDs on the season. LA head coach Sean McVay said yesterday that Adams is expected to return Saturday against the Panthers, who defeated the Rams 31-28 on Nov. 30. Adams did have two touchdowns in a losing cause.
Another reason to bet on the Rams? LA’s championship pedigree. McVay and Matthew Stafford have been there and done that after winning Super Bowl 56. The 23-20 win over Cincinnati was preceded by a three-game losing streak earlier that season. The Rams rebounded just fine from those losses to Tennessee, San Francisco, and Green Bay.
We haven’t yet mentioned WR Puka Nacua (team-high 1,715 receiving yards, 11 TDs), along with RBs Kyren Williams (team-high 1,252 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and Blake Corum (746 rushing yards, six TDs). Simply put, Los Angeles is loaded on offense.
If there is a concern, it comes with a defense that’s been more generous late in the season. Still, the Rams are a top-10 scoring defense, allowing just 20.4 points per game.
LA’s potential path to the Super Bowl runs through Seattle, and that’s only fitting given the revenge angle for the Rams after giving the regular-season game against the Seahawks away.
Despite holding a fun ticket on the Panthers to win Super Bowl 60 at +20000 (200-1), the better bet is on Los Angeles to beat Carolina, Seattle, and Philadelphia to win the NFC Championship.
