Looking for who has the edge when the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams play this week?
Good luck.
The Seahawks and Rams are tied atop the NFC West with a 7-2 record and a four-game winning streak heading into Sunday’s showdown in Inglewood, California.
The Seahawks and Rams are the only two NFL teams to rank in the top five in offense (Seattle’s 31.4 points per game are third; LA’s 27.9 are fifth) and defense (LA is second at 17.0 points per game and Seattle is fifth at 19.1).
And both are coming off games in which they scored over 40 points. The Seahawks beat visiting Arizona 44-22 last Sunday while the Rams won 42-26 against San Francisco in Santa Clara, California.
“It looks like (the Rams) are playing great football in all three phases,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “They’re a damn good team, and they’re complete. They’re great in all three phases.”
As for the view on the other side?
“You can’t help but notice how big of a role Seattle played,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “What a great challenge this is going to be.”
Both teams played excellent quarterback play.
Seattle’s Sam Darnold is averaging 9.9 yards per pass attempt, best in the league and fourth-highest in NFL history through nine games in a season (minimum 200 attempts). The Rams’ Matthew Stafford has a league-leading 25 passing touchdowns against just two interceptions, making him just the second QB to accomplish the feat halfway through the season. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes did it in 2020.
“I’ve only faced him a few times in my career. This is probably the best time I’ve seen him compete,” Macdonald said. “They’re really explosive right now in the passing game. He’s playing great football.”
Seahawks forward Jaxon Smith-Njigba has already eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards and scored on a 43-yard strike from Darnold on Seattle’s first drive last weekend, putting Seattle up 35-0. He leads the league in receiving yards (1,041) by more than 200 compared to his closest competitor, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase (831).
“I feel good, I’m blessed, man,” Smith-Njigba said. “I’m grateful to be healthy and to be able to continue this work next week. … it’s a long season, and we have a lot more games and road to go. I’m just focused, locked in and ready to get ready for Los Angeles.”
The Rams will counter with Puka Nacua, who became the fastest to reach 250 career receptions in the NFL in just 36 games. Stafford has been on a device of record proportions.
Stafford threw four touchdown passes without an interception against the 49ers to become the first player in NFL history with at least four touchdowns and no interceptions in three consecutive games. Stafford has 402 career touchdown passes and last week became the ninth player to have at least 400 career touchdown passes in the regular season.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence returned two fumbles for touchdowns last week and Seattle kept the pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a total of 32 sacks. But Lawrence said the Rams’ balance posed a tough test and something of a chess match with Macdonald calling defensive plays.
“It’s a well-organized attack,” Lawrence said. “Our system, you never know who’s coming. With the drops, the coverages, the rush lanes… a complete defense.”
Seattle’s running game improved, with Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III combining for 150 yards against the Cardinals on 14 carries each.
“I thought our running backs ran extremely hard and helped close out the game,” Macdonald said. “They do a great job.”
The Rams’ Kyren Williams had 73 yards and two touchdowns against San Francisco.
Los Angeles’ winning streak was aided by McVay’s extended use of close three sets. Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and rookie Terrance Ferguson have all caught passes in the last two games, with Parkinson and Allen scoring touchdowns against the 49ers.
“The cool thing is it always starts with the players,” McVay said. “The only reason you can do it is because you have four players who can do it. They’re smart, they’re conscientious, they can play every position, and it’s great.”
Rams receiver Davante Adams (oblique) and defensive tackle Kobie Turner (back) missed practice time this week, but McVay said he’s confident Adams will be ready Sunday.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (knee) is expected to miss several weeks after being injured last week against Arizona.
–Field level media
