MY NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

RAMS (13-3) AT SAINTS (13-3)

WHEN: Sunday

TIME: 3:05 p.m. ET,

WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

TV: Fox 

LINE: Saints by 3 1 / 2

HEAD TO HEAD: The Saints did something they hadn’t accomplished all year, overcoming a 14-0 deficit in the first half to defeat the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 in the divisional round. The Rams, who dropped the Cowboys 30-22 in the divisional round, enter the NFC championship game as underdogs for the first time all season.

ALL TIME: Rams, 41-34 

PLAYOFFS: Saints, 1-0

FIRST MEETING: 1967

LAST MEETING-NOV. 4, 2018: The teams combined for 80 points and 970 yards in New Orleans while confirming their reputations as two of the league’s elite teams. The Saints’ Michael Thomas has 12 catches on 15 targets for a franchise-record 211 yards and a touchdown. The Saints’ defense also asserts itself as an elite unit with huge stands late in the first half and again with the game on the line in the fourth quarter.

RAMS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Rams’ offensive line, led by OT Andrew Whitworth, bullied the vaunted Dallas Cowboys’ front in the divisional round. That paved the way for a wildly productive rushing game led by RBs Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson. Doing so will be a tall ask against a Saints’ run defense that’s shut down every opponent, even keeping Gurley below his season average in their regular- season meeting. On defense, they must get DT Aaron Donald into favorable situations so that he can go to work against an ailing Saints’ offensive line. Disrupting Drew Brees in the backfield and limiting the damage of their talented running backs is paramount.

SAINTS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Saints’ defense was clutch against the Eagles in the divisional round. CB Marshon Lattimore made two interceptions in huge moments. Up front, DE Cameron Jordan played well after DT Sheldon Rankins left with a leg injury. On offense, channeling more touches to all-pro WR Michael Thomas and superstar RB Alvin Kamara are the highest priorities.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: RAMS CB MARCUS PETERS VS. SAINTS WR MICHAEL THOMAS. Thomas set a team record for catches and receiving yards in a postseason game. Peters, a former all-pro, allowed a TD in his coverage and put teammates in rough spots with miscommunications.

WHO WINS AN WHY? The Rams have a disruptive defensive line while the Saints have just as many weapons on offense. The Saints are a more complete team. Saints 24-20