5x All-Pro Luke Kuechly predicts shocking Eagles upset in Rams divisional clash

Hall of Fame finalist Luke Kuechly likes the energy and the team that the Los Angeles Rams have assembled for their divisional-round clash. He likes it so much that he is picking the underdog Rams to upset the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, baffling host Kay Adams on the "Up & Adams" show.

Kuechly had this to say about the NFC Playoff Divisional matchup.

"I like the Rams," Kuechly said. "I like their energy. They got Puka, Kupp and Stafford, that's been there before. It'll be—it's gonna be a good matchup."

Among the four matchups this week, the Panthers legend picked the Rams as the team most likely to cause an upset. When quizzed why, he hinted that the Eagles' win last week against the Packers was flukey.

"They (Eagles) didn't look to me last week,. they didn't look like, it was a little bit...(shrugs). They got the fumble on the opening kickoff. It just, it was a little bit, I don't know."

When he brought up Stafford, Kupp and Nacua's experience, host Kay Adams disagreed, citing Davante Smith, AJ Brown and Saquon Barkley. She then got into a passionate plea defending the Eagles, that the Eagle fans are just like "F everybody".

Kuechly reminisces about his time with Cam Newton

Adams also brought up Kuechly's relationship with quarterback Cam Newton, who he played with throughout his time in Carolina. Newton recently appeared on a segment of the TV show 'Special Forces' where he endured simulated military exercises.

"Look how big he is." Kuechly said. "It always cracks me up about him. His hair, how big he is as guy, but this is something about Cam that I think he really enjoys. The competition part. I love Cam. I miss him. It's good to see him enjoy himself."

Kuechly also talked about Newton's competitive streak.

"I think he is ultracompetitive," Kuechly added. "I think he loves the game of football and he wanted to succeed at a high level, and when he doesn't feel he did the best he could I''m sure he feels very disappointed with himself."

Kuechly's potential Hall of Fame career

Former Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly is a Hall Of Fame finalist in his first year of eligibility. After being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the NFL draft, Kuechly went on to become one of the best middle linebackers of the 2010s. Along with quarterback Cam Newton, he led the Panthers to their second Super Bowl appearance in 2015. In addition to being Defensive Player of the Year, he was also Defensive Rookie of the Year and was voted into the Pro Bowl for seven consecutive seasons. He retired in 2020.