NFL PLAYOFFS

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m. PST.

* TV: Channel 11.

* The line: Atlanta by 7.

* St. Louis update: The Rams’ offense has been sizzling the last three weeks, and Marc Bulger has been spectacular. He has averaged 381.5 yards passing the last two weeks and 333.6 yards in his last five road games. Seven of the Rams’ last eight playoff games have been decided by seven points or fewer.

* Atlanta update: The Falcons ran all over St. Louis in a victory earlier this season. But can they keep it going? Atlanta is 1-4 in divisional playoff games, and running back Warrick Dunn has averaged only 41 yards rushing in eight postseason games. Maybe Michael Vick will pick up the slack.

* The story line: Can the suddenly hot Rams keep it going against a rested and improved Falcon defense, or will Atlanta emerge Vick-torious?

* The pick: Atlanta. Since 2003, the Falcons are 13-2 when Vick has six or more carries in a game. In Week 2 against St. Louis, Vick rushed 12 times for 109 yards.

-- Sam Farmer

STATISTICAL COMPARISON

*--* StL Atl Points scored 19.9 (19) 21.2 (1) Points allowed 24.5 (25) 21.1 (14) Pass offense 265.8 (5) 150.8 (30) Rush offense 101.5 (26) 167.0 (1) Total offense 367.3 (6) 317.8 (20) Pass defense 198.4 (12) 220.4 (22) Rush defense 136.2 (29) 105.1 (9) Total defense 334.6 (17) 325.4 (14) Take/give -24 (32) +2 (17) 3rd-down pct. 42.2 (9) 36.3 (18) Time poss. 31:05 (9) 29:10 (21) Penalties 62.1 (26) 56.6 (15)

*--*

Regular-season statistics, league rank in parentheses