The Seattle Seahawks will host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football in a game that holds more meaning than others. Through four weeks this season, both teams stand at 3-1 on the season and are tied for second place in the NFC West.
The Seahawks have continued to make a concerted effort to run the ball to set up their passing game. Furthermore, Seattle has handed it off 111 times this season (12th most in the NFL).
At the same time, Russell Wilson has gotten off to the best start in his career according to Pete Carroll and statistically. The Super-Bowl winning quarterback has completed nearly 73 percent of his passes for 1,141 yards and eight touchdowns.
Additionally, Seattle's front seven has been solid while the secondary has been less-than-ideal for the majority of their first four games. Nevertheless, Carroll's squad is 3-1 and is poised to make a run for the NFC West crown this season.
On the other hand, the Rams are coming off of their first loss of the season in a surprising 55-40 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.
With that in mind, here are three reasons why the Seahawks will beat the Rams in Week 5.
3. The Rams Offensive Line is Struggling
During the offseason, Los Angeles allowed Rodger Saffold to walk in free agency and decided not to retain John Sullivan at the center position. To replace them, the Rams are relying on two second-year offensive linemen in Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen.
As a result, Jared Goff has been pressured on 80 of his dropbacks this season (most in NFL). In light of that, the pass rushers for the Seahawks are licking their chops as they look at the state of the Rams offensive line.
The Seahawks acquired Jadeveon Clowney before the season began and the former No. 1 pick has made a difference in his short time in Seattle. Clowney has one sack, three pass deflections, and a pick-six in the first month of the season.
Considering all of this, Seattle should have some success getting to Goff in this game.
2. The Seahawks Defense Can Slow Down Todd Gurley
Since last season, there has been an endless amount of questions pertaining to Todd Gurley's knee. Just four games into the season, the same questions are still being asked with the usage he's been given.
The All-Pro running back has a modest 4.5 yards per carry but he only has 219 yards on the ground. Additionally, Gurley has just 60 total touches in the offense and 283 yards from scrimmage.
Without a doubt, Sean McVay is going to attempt to get Gurley in a groove on Thursday night. Luckily for Seattle, their run defense has been able to negate opposing team's rushing attacks this season.
This season, the Seahawks have only allowed 79.5 rushing yards per game (sixth-best in the NFL). Therefore, the Seahawks could make the Rams a one-dimensional team, which worked for the Buccaneers in Week 4.
1. The Seahawks Can Control the Clock
It is well known that the Seahawks intend to impose their will in this game with their physical running game. They will get Duane Brown back on their offensive line and Rashaad Penny will be active at running back as well.
Aside from his fumbling issues, Chris Carson has been nearly impossible to bring down. Over the month of September, Carson was seventh in the NFL in missed tackles forced per touch.
In addition, the Rams run defense has been just as good as Seattle's but they're coming off a game that saw 95 points being put on the scoreboard.
With that in mind, the Seahawks can keep McVay's offense on the sideline as they have success running against a tired Los Angeles front seven.
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