The Los Angeles Rams will host the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon, looking to earn a much needed win and a first-place tie in the competitive NFC West. Coming out of their bye week, L.A. will be looking to jumpstart what has been an inconsistent offense through the first half of the NFL season, and recover from a loss against the Miami Dolphins, that saw quarterback Jared Goff turn the ball over four times.
Playing against their division rival, the Rams are hoping to continue what has been a recent string of success against Seattle, earning what would be their fourth victory in their last five matchups.
With first place in the NFC West potentially at stake, here are our four bold predictions for the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks.
1. Jared Goff will throw over 300 passing yards without an INT for the Rams
Seattle is a long way, away from the Legion of Boom that once paced the franchise to consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Though they entered the season with high hopes for the secondary, thanks to the pro bowl selection of Shaquille Griffin, and additions of Jamal Adams and Quinton Dunbar, the unit has instead cratered to the bottom of the league in pass defense. Ranked 32nd in the NFL, the Seahawks have allowed an eye-popping 362 passing yards per game–a full 110 yards more (!) then they gave up during last season.
Yet, while Seattle's secondary has undeniably underperformed, the Seahawks' defensive line has been of little help mitigating the issue. Falling in the bottom third of the league in sack-rate, Seattle's inability to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks has time and again allowed play callers the time necessary to stretch the field, with the average completion against the defense averaging over 11 yards.
With Sean McVay having had a full two weeks to game plan a way to attack the unit, there's ample reason to believe these trends will continue, helping the Rams.
Utilizing a play action attack that has remained effective throughout the season, despite the loss of former running back Todd Gurley, the Rams' preference for off tempo action seems an ill fit for a defense that has largely played a step behind offenses as it is. Given Los Angeles' success thus far in limiting sacks on the quarterback–allowing just over one per game–the Rams' ability to keep Jared Goff upright, should allow the former number-one overall pick the time and space he needs to pick Seattle apart. While his eight turnovers this season have set a pace that would be a career high should they continue, they have largely come when the play caller is under pressure, a situation L.A. appears poised to avoid against the Seahawks.
If the Rams are ever going to get their offense in order, Sunday afternoon will likely be their best opportunity.
2. Jalen Ramsey will prevent DK Metcalf from scoring a touchdown
Given Seattle's aforementioned issues on defense, it's no surprise that the Seahawks' first half success has come about primarily as a result of their work on the offensive side of the football. While quarterback Russell Wilson has been the biggest beneficiary of the switch in emphasis, firmly planting himself in the league's MVP conversation, theres no denying the rise of wide receiver DK Metcalf. Second in the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns, with 788 and eight respectively, Metcalf has staked his claim for being the best wideout in the league, and the safety valve for a team thats needed every single yard of his production.
Sunday afternoon, it will be Jalen Ramsey's responsibility to try and contain him for the Rams.
Though Aaron Donald is generally the most important player on the field for the Rams' defense, Ramsey's performance against the Seahawks may be the most vital if the L.A. is to get a victory. While it's unlikely that Metcalf will be completely shut out during the game, the all pro corner has put up numbers all season that indicates just how difficult the matchup will for the receiver.
Per Pro Football Reference, Ramsey has allowed an outstanding completion rate of only 51% on passes thrown to his way, to go along with a single touchdown. That the Rams' rank second in the league in pass defense is a testament to the coverage the corner provides, forcing offenses to shift to their second and third options in a way that they otherwise wouldn't.
Yet, theres also reason to believe that Ramsey's tremendous foot speed will also factor heavily into the matchup. The Seahawks love to place Metcalf into deep routes designed to stretch the field, pairing the speed of their wideout with the arm strength of Wilson, that more often than not leaves defenses trailing far behind. Seattle's preference for these kind of plays will likely necessitate Ramsey staying on the receiver for most of the game, given the lack of speed from the Rams' other corners. Should Ramsey succeed in closing these windows, LA's defensive line, led by Donald, will in turn be provided the time to get to Wilson inside the pocket, limiting the Seahawks' ability to inflict damage downfield.
While Metcalf has largely burned most opponents this year, the Rams may be one of the few teams in the league capable of withstanding the heat.
3. Cam Akers will insert himself into the running game
Led by the duo of Darrell Henderson Jr and Malcom Brown, the Rams' rushing attack has been largely effective to start the year. Gaining 772 yards and six touchdowns, the two backs have been some of the most consistent performers on the offensive side of the football, not only carrying the ball, but serving as a release on the delayed screen passes L.A. loves to use.
For all their success however, rookie running back Cam Akers has been surprisingly absent from the Rams' game plan, often left languishing on the depth chart. With a quad injury potentially limiting Henderson Sunday, it might finally be time for L.A. to employ their second round draft pick.
A product out of Florida State University, Akers impressed scouts with his dynamic foot speed–completing the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds–and ability to pick up yardage after contact. While the Rams no longer need a single halfback to fill the void in their running game, the young back is one the few spots on the roster Los Angeles possesses young, cheap talent. Should he reach the ceiling many believe he is capable of, L.A. will be far better positioned to compete in a division thats only getting tougher.
Should he begin fulfilling that promise against the Seahawks, so much the better for the Rams.
4. The Rams win a close game, 28-24
Given their place in both the NFC standings and division, Sunday's game represents as close to a must-win game for the Rams as any besides an elimination match. While the pressure will surely be on given that they are at home, and coming off a bye week, L.A. appears to be well positioned to take advantage of some of the Seahawks' most glaring vulnerabilities.
Though games between the two are rarely anything but close, Los Angeles should be capable of jumping out to an early lead as they hold off Seattle just long enough to secure the victory.
For a top-heavy roster, the Rams have to often been tripped up because of a lack of depth. Sunday against the Seahawks, they'll need their star players to cover the gaps.
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