Rams at Seahawks: Game preview, odds, prediction
By James Dudko
The 8-4-1 Seattle Seahawks host the 4-9 Los Angeles Rams in a key NFC West clash in Week 15. Here’s a preview, along with a prediction and odds, for Thursday Night Football.
The Seattle Seahawks need to wrap up the NFC West and concentrate on getting healthy for the playoffs. So the Seahawks will likely welcome the visit of the struggling Los Angeles Rams to CenturyLink Field in Week 14.
The Rams will arrive in the Emerald City for Thursday Night Football with a new man in charge after Jeff Fisher was fired as head coach. Fisher was fired after four games without a win confirmed yet another losing season.
It’s no wonder the Seahawks are heavy favorites this week, despite being hammered by the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. In fact, the Hawks are favored by 13, according to Odds Shark, with the over/under initially set at 40.5.
The under might be a good bet since these two teams combined for just 12 points in their last meeting, a 9-3 win for the Rams in L.A. back in Week 2. But the Rams will surely look to open up their offense after Fisher’s departure.
Fisher has been replaced by special teams coordinator John Fassel on an interim basis. Fassel’s first job has to be getting an anaemic offense on track.
Star running back Todd Gurley has floundered, while rookie quarterback Jared Goff’s development was botched by Fisher. A balanced attack will be key to helping Goff cut down on his rash of rookie mistakes.
It won’t be easy, though, against a miserly Seattle defense with a point to prove after getting mauled by the Packers. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 18 of 23 passes last week, including throwing for three touchdowns. Rodgers was given all day to throw against a D’ that failed to generate pressure.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll will first need rookie D-tackle Jarran Reed to create a strong push inside and occupy double teams so linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright can swarm on Gurley.
Carroll would also be wise to get creative about bringing the heat to force Goff into costly errors. Carroll’s always been an aggressive play-caller who knows how to get linebackers and safeties free on the blitz.
But the coach may be less concerned with getting to Goff than he is about protecting Wilson.
Seattle’s half-sized Houdini threw five interceptions in Green Bay. It’s far from ideal preparation for Rams defense that’s made Wilson miserable in the past.
Wilson was sacked twice in Week 2, and has lost three-straight against the Rams. He hasn’t been the escapology king of the NFL this season. But Wilson will need all his mobility and shifty moves to stay clear of dominant defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
As the focal point of the Rams’ front seven, Donald has been a game-wrecker this season. Keeping Donald at bay has to be the focus of a Seahawks O-line that’s allowed 32 sacks and 85 QB hits.
Wilson and the line will have an easier time if the Seahawks can establish the running game. Fortunately, Thomas Rawls has been impressive since returning from injury. His speed attacking the cutback lanes could prove decisive.
Next: The Rams firing Jeff Fisher wasn’t a good decision
One area where Rawls doesn’t excel is as a receiver out of the backfield. So it will be incumbent on coordinator Darrell Bevell to get rookie Alex Collins and Tyler Lockett heavily involved in the passing game.
Wilson will need obvious checkdowns to beat the Rams’ pressure. If Wilson gets time and makes quick throws the Seahawks will have too much on both sides of the ball for the perpetually rebuilding Rams.
Pick: Seahawks 23, Rams 10