The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for their first divisional rematch of the year, and it will be against their perpetual thorn in their side: the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle kicked off the season against the Rams in Week 1, and it did not go as planned for the Seahawks.
Los Angeles marched into Lumen Field and promptly handed it to Seattle. The Seahawks’ 13-7 halftime lead quickly melted down into a 30-13 defeat, as Seattle’s offense only managed 12 total yards in the second half. The loss of tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas truly affected the Seahawks’ ability to move the ball. With the return of Aaron Donald – who did not play in either game between these teams in 2022 – the Rams feasted defensively.
Donald won’t be the only one back for the Week 11 rematch, as head coach Sean McVay says the team will be as close to full health as they were since Week 1. This means quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play, as well as Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, who was absent in Week 1.
Speaking of Week 1, it may have been the peak of the Rams’ season thus far. At 3-6, Los Angeles has not played nearly as well as they did in Seattle. Injuries have taken their toll, as well as the fact this roster is quietly rebuilding. But this does not mean the Seahawks should take their foe lightly.
In the Pete Carroll era (2010-present), the Rams – be it St. Louis or Los Angeles – have consistently had Seattle’s number. The Seahawks are 13-15 against the Rams during this stretch, and it’s only gotten worse with Sean McVay at the helm. Since McVay took over in 2017, the Rams have claimed a 9-5 record, including a playoff win.
Seattle is lucky the score isn’t more tilted, as a game-winning touchdown was dropped by a rookie Cooper Kupp in 2017 and a game-winning field goal in 2019 missed wide right. Had Kupp held on, or Greg Zuerlein’s kick gone through, both 16-10 and 30-29 wins could have easily been flipped into losses.
Prediction: Rams beat Seahawks 24-16
At 6-3 and 3-6, both Seattle’s and Los Angeles’ seasons have gone in opposite directions. The Rams appear to be the rebuilding team we all thought they’d be, and the Seahawks have a chance at winning the NFC West. Several times over the years I’ve picked Seattle to beat Rams teams, especially those seemingly down and out, only for it to blow up in my face. I am choosing to not be Charlie Brown attempting to kick the football again.
For whatever reason, McVay and his LA Rams have the secret formula to defeating Carroll’s Seahawks. Having Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald in the lineup is truly the difference makers here, as Stafford is undefeated versus Seattle as a Ram.
In Week 1, without Kupp, rookie receiver Puka Nacua torched the Seahawks secondary with ten receptions for 119 yards. Now Kupp is back in the lineup, making this a formidable duo.
What could be the difference in favor of Seattle is their pass rush. In Week 1, the Seahawks didn’t even come close to making Stafford uncomfortable. Stafford had plenty of time to sit back in the pocket and carve up the defense. Now, Seattle’s pash rush has come alive. Led by linebacker Boye Mafe, and the recent acquiring of defensive tackle Leonard Williams, if the pass rush can hit home the Seahawks have a chance at a road upset.
