In a marquee battle in the NFC West on Sunday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks (10-4) travel to Los Angeles to battle the Rams (9-5).
Winners over the Washington Football team a week ago, a late defensive stand by the Seahawks helped them clinch their eighth postseason appearance in the last nine seasons. In an opposite position, the Rams were stunned 23-20 by the winless New York Jets in week 15. Appearing unready to play and lacking organization all game long, Sean Mcvay’s group was unable to get off the field on third downs, allowing New York to convert 7-17 third-down opportunities. In addition to this, the team also struggled to protect quarterback Jared Goff, allowing the Jets to collect eight quarterback hits and three sacks.
In the second and final meeting between these two bitter rivals, with Los Angeles picking up a narrow 23-16 win in week number ten, here is what to look for in this one.
Los Angeles Rams
Winners of four of their last five games heading into week 15, the Rams were stunned by the winless New York Jets as the team turned in one of their worst performances of the year on offense. Unable to hold up in pass protection against the Jets front seven, the Rams converted just 2 of their 11 third-down opportunities. In addition to this, Goff struggled to find any rhythm through the air after tossing an early interception. Tasked with navigating a much improved Seattle defense from early on in the season, the team will be without starting running back Cam Akers after downgrading him to out with an ankle injury. Tough against the rush all season long, Pete Caroll’s team has allowed just 94.6 yards per game on the ground, setting the stage for a tall task for the tandem of Malcolm Brown and rookie Darrell Henderson.
Strong against the Seahawks in week number ten, the Rams defense forced two interceptions by Russell Wilson as they held the former Super Bowl champion to just 248 yards through the air. The team also harassed the longtime Seattle quarterback all game long, recording six sacks, including three from former first-round pick Leonard Floyd. Currently ranked as 12th overall passing offense in the NFL with over 256 yards per game on average, look for a deciding factor in this one to be the battle on the outside between star receiver D.K. Metcalf and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Enjoying another stellar season as the leader of the Los Angeles secondary, the former fifth overall pick held Metcalf to just two receptions for 28 yards in the first meeting between these two teams, setting the stage for a battle all game long on Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks
Possessing the ability to lock up the NFC West and remain in the hunt for a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs with a victory, the Seahawks have begun to roll over the last month of the season. Winners of four of their last five games, the team has outscored their opposition 95-52 over that period while rushing for over 540 yards. Tasked with navigating a stellar Rams defense for the second time in 2020, Seattle will need a balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball if they to come out victorious on Sunday.
Dropping back 37 times in the opener between these two teams, Wilson and the team’s offense were never able to slow down star defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the Rams pass rush. With starter Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde, and Rashaad Penny all available in this one, expect a patient rushing attack from the Seahawks.
A much-improved unit after their loss to Los Angeles early on in the season, the Seahawks have allowed just 16 points per game on average over the last five weeks. Finally able to generate a consistent pass rush after the additions of star safety Jamal Adams and veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap, the team has recorded 31 sacks over their last eight games to lead the NFL. Needing to generate consistent pressure on Goff if they hope to knock off the Rams, one matchup to watch in this one will be between the Seahawks pass rush and Los Angeles’s pass protection unit.
Boasting a 107.6 passer rating in a clean pocket this season, the former number one overall pick has tossed 16 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Struggling under duress, Goff’s rating drops a full 60 points when under pressure, leading to six interceptions thrown versus four touchdown passes.
Game Info
Date: December 27, 2020
Start Time: 4:25 P.M. est
Location: Seattle, WA
Stadium: Lumen Field
TV Info: Fox
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Points Spread: LAR +1 (-110) | SEA -1 (-110)
Moneyline: LAR +100 | SEA -114
Over/Under: O 47.5 (-110) | U 47.5 (-110)
Looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the Jets a week ago, take the Rams +1 on the point spread and at a price of +100 on the money line as they look to win the game outright. Holding a five to two advantage in the win-loss column between these two teams during the Sean Mcvay era with the Rams, the team has continually dominated the line of scrimmage during previous matchups, knocking Wilson off his spot. After watching the game total all week long, take the under in this one. Focusing more on running the ball late in the season, the Seahawks offense has averaged just under 24 points per game through the last month.
Along with this, both teams moved the ball well in their opening encounter, with the number still falling short of the 40 point mark at 39, leading this one to fall short of the 47.5 total.
Prediction
Heading into a must-win game as they look to remain in the hunt for the NFC West crown and a home playoff game, look for the Rams to bounce back with a victory over the Seahawks. Continually holding the advantage over Seattle of late, Los Angeles wreaked havoc on their opponent’s offense in week number ten as they held Wilson to one of his worst games of the year. In addition to this, Pete Caroll’s group also allowed 106 yards on the ground on 29 attempts, and while the team’s run defense has improved mightily over the last half of the season, look for pass protection to be the deciding factor in this one.
*Final Score: Los Angeles Rams 21 Seattle Seahawks 17*
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