Aaron Donald Says Facing Seahawks in Playoffs Is 'Exactly' What Rams Wanted

The Los Angeles Rams clinched a wild-card berth and the No. 6 seed in the NFC with their victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night.

In return, they'll get a chance at the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card game, which is apparently what they were hoping for.

"That's what we wanted," defensive tackle Aaron Donald said after the game. "That's exactly what we wanted."

The two teams split their regular-season series, with the Rams storming to a 23-16 victory in Week 10 before they were trampled late last week in a 20-9 loss.

Heading into Week 16's loss, the Rams defense topped the league in passing yards allowed and was second in rushing yards allowed while tied for third in sacks. The team allowed just six points in the opening half but was outscored 14-3 in the final two frames.

In contrast, the earlier game remained in reach for either team, with the Rams holding just a 17-13 lead at halftime, with a third-quarter touchdown being the only other points they would score. Seattle was limited to a field goal in the second half.

In both games, the Rams' defensive line battered quarterback Russell Wilson, taking him to the ground 11 times for a loss of 56 yards across two meetings. He was picked off twice in the first meeting, though he managed to find his receivers in the second.

But when the two teams meet again, the Rams could very well look different. Quarterback Jared Goff had thumb surgery Monday and is hoping to return for the postseason, but the team was forced to turn to backup quarterback John Wolford on Sunday.

Wolford, who went undrafted out of Wake Forest, made his first professional appearance Sunday against the Cardinals. He threw for 231 yards and an interception on 22-of-38 passing while rushing for 56 yards on six carries, but did not find the end zone.

Meanwhile, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson perfectly executed a 20-point fourth quarter in a comeback rally against the 49ers, throwing two touchdown passes on 8-of-12 passing for 74 yards, in addition to 27 rushing yards.

The two outings Sunday prove it could be anyone's game in the postseason meeting.