Seattle Seahawks (9-7) at Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox
BetMGM NFL odds: Seahawks favored by 6.5 points.
Against the spread: Seahawks 6-9-1; Rams 8-8.
Series record: A balanced matchup with both teams tied at 27-27.
Previous encounter: The Rams triumphed over the Seahawks with a score of 26-20 in overtime during their last matchup on November 3 in Seattle.
Recent games: Last week, the Seahawks edged past Chicago with a narrow 6-3 victory, while the Rams managed to scrape by Arizona, winning 13-9.
In terms of performance, the Seahawks’ offense is ranked 14th overall, but they struggle with the rush at 30th while excelling in the passing game at 7th. Their scoring efficiency ranks at 19th overall. Conversely, the Rams hover at 17th in offense, particularly weak in the rush category at 23rd, with their passing game placed at 14th and scoring at 20th. Defensively, the Seahawks are positioned 13th overall, with their strength lying in pass defense (7th), while the Rams sit at 26th overall, weak in both rushing and passing defense (24th and 21st respectively) but effective in scoring, ranking 10th.
The Seahawks must manage a minus-7 turnover differential, while the Rams stand out with a plus-7.
In player highlights, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as a pivotal player for Seattle. He’s consistently made six receptions and gained approximately 70 receiving yards per game this season. Smith-Njigba only requires five more catches to surpass Tyler Lockett’s franchise record for a single season and needs 183 yards to outdo DK Metcalf in the single-season receiving yards record.
On the Rams’ side, QB Jimmy Garoppolo will take the field for his inaugural start with the team after securing the NFC West title last week. With Matthew Stafford seated, Garoppolo steps in without any prior in-game experience this season. He was unable to play during the preseason, making this game his first opportunity to lead head coach Sean McVay’s offensive schemes. In the previous season, Garoppolo recorded 1,205 passing yards, along with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions during his stint with the Las Vegas Raiders.
A crucial matchup to watch will be the Seahawks’ offensive line against the Rams’ defensive line. In their earlier confrontation this season, the Rams showcased dominance at the line of scrimmage, registering a striking seven sacks. After a slump in performance in late November and December, the Rams have regained momentum, accumulating eight sacks over the past three games. Quarterback Geno Smith has faced significant pressure, being sacked 48 times throughout the season.
Injury concerns are present for both teams. Seahawks RT Abraham Lucas will be sidelined due to abdominal and knee issues. Two essential defensive players for Seattle, LB Ernest Jones (knee) and rookie DT Byron Murphy II (back), faced limitations in their training sessions this week, with Murphy marked as questionable while Jones is expected to play. Meanwhile, the Rams are likely to continue with caution, sitting RT Rob Havenstein for the second consecutive game due to a shoulder injury; his absence could risk future successes given the performance drop with swing tackle Joe Noteboom stepping in. Other Rams players missing the game include RB Kyren Williams, LT Alaric Jackson, RG Kevin Dotson, and key WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Historically, the Rams have had the upper hand over the Seahawks recently, winning three straight matchups and six out of the last seven, which includes an NFC wild-card game win in January 2021. The Seahawks have faced struggles at SoFi Stadium, holding a record of 1-3 there, with their lone victory occurring on December 12, 2022.
As for statistical highlights, a win for Seattle would mark the 14th double-digit winning season in the franchise’s history, elevating them to 10-7. This victory would spot them at ten wins for the ninth time in the past 13 seasons, and their first such season since 2020. Additionally, Seattle could tie their best-ever road record at 7-1 with this game. Coach Mike Macdonald needs just one more victory to surpass Chuck Knox and Mike Holmgren for the most wins by a first-year head coach of the Seahawks with 10 wins. WR DK Metcalf is on the brink of achieving his fourth season with over 1,000 receiving yards, needing only 61 more yards. Meanwhile, Smith is looking for one more 300-yard game to claim the Seahawks record for the most in a season with six.
In terms of rookie performances, the Rams boast the youngest roster in the league, averaging 25.6 years, highlighted by 16 rookies, the most of any team. Noteworthy players include S Kamren Kinchens and DB Jaylen McCollough, who each have four interceptions, placing them among the NFL’s top players in interceptions.
For fantasy league players, considering Garoppolo’s veteran status, the Rams’ backup pass-catchers such as Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell may prove to be intriguing options for those in need of wide receivers as they approach championship matchups.
