The Seattle Seahawks are set to face the Los Angeles Rams for the first time in the 2024 season. Seattle has struggled as of late. Since starting the season with a blistering 3-0 record, the Hawks have gone 1-4 since then, including three ugly blowout losses.
Things aren’t going to get any easier for them in Week 9. The Rams may have started the year 1-4, but since their bye they’ve won their last two games. Now they have wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in the fold. The extent of which Nacua can play is to be determined, but the Rams expect him in the game.
During this recent stretch, the Seahawks don’t seem to do anything well. Their offensive line cannot offer protection, or open up any kind of running lanes for Kenneth Walker III. Conversely, their defensive front cannot stop any opposing rushing attack. Their pass rush routinely struggles to get any consistent pressure, especially against quarterbacks who can move. Oh, and the defense as a whole isn’t generating enough turnovers.
What else is there to say at the moment? Defense can’t stop anyone, and the offense cannot get going early or stay on the field long enough to sustain any meaningful drives. Once they get to the red zone, they stall out.
Making matters worse for them is the fact today’s opponent is… the Rams. Under Sean McVay, Los Angeles has had Seattle’s number. These teams have faced each other 15 times since McVay has been in charge. The Seahawks are only 5-10 against the Rams, including being swept by them last year… and in 2021.
This team is Seattle’s kryptonite, and they are facing each other at a time when they are trending in opposite directions. This is a major gut check moment for the Seahawks. Right now, the Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks are all tied with identical 4-4 records. However, due to tiebreakers, Seattle is technically in third place in the NFC West.
Around the division, the 49ers are on a bye. The Cardinals host the Chicago Bears this afternoon, which means Rams/Seahawks is the only other action the division has this weekend. If Arizona and Los Angeles both win, then Seattle falls to last place in the west headed into their bye week.
Unfortunately, I wish I could be more optimistic. This Seahawks team is struggling too much on both sides of the ball and at this point, the Rams are obviously better coached. Lumen Field may not be the “road game” for the Seahawks the way it was last week when Bills Mafia invaded, but McVay seems to be inoculated against the 12th Man. His squads are 5-3 in the Emerald City, but in two of those losses it could have easily gone the other way. In 2022, the Seahawks needed overtime to beat a Rams team without Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp or Aaron Donald. In 2019, Los Angeles missed a game-winning field goal in a 30-29 defeat.
I have picked Seattle over the Rams in many moments where it appeared they were down and out, and each time I was proven wrong. I am no longer going to be Charlie Brown attempting to kick the football Lucy is holding for me. Until I see the Seahawks beat Los Angeles in a moment like this, I may change my tune. But until then, I have a hard time going against history.
Prediction: Rams over Seahawks 23-13
