Los Angeles Rams
at
Seattle Seahawks
Later tonight, the Los Angeles Rams will go to Seattle to take on the Seahawks, in a game that really should be intriguing. Both teams enter this game with identical 3-1 records, and are tied for second place in the NFC West. Both trail the first place San Francisco 49ers, the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFC, and clearly, neither wants to fall behind even further than they already are.
The Rams are the defending NFC Champions, and one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl again. However, they are coming off a rather shocking home loss to Tampa Bay, in a game in which they allowed a whopping 55 points. The Rams offense is known to be the strength of the team, and they are always potentially explosive, but their defense has been known to be a bit of a liability. Still, 55 points is just ridiculous. My guess is that they were looking past Tampa and towards this big showdown in the Emerald City, but they paid the price. Plus, it is not guaranteed that they will win this one.
The Seahawks also lost a game at home recently, although their loss was to a much better opponent, the New Orleans Saints. They recovered last weekend with a decisive win on the road against a divisional opponent, albeit a weak one. They also have a potentially explosive offense, led by veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who has some championship experience under his belt. He has been playing extremely well, and Seattle’s running attack also is a solid asset. And while the “Legion of Boom” days may be behind them, the Seahawks defense still remains a solid unit. They might not be elite like they once were, but they have averaged 23 points allowed in their four games, and thoroughly shut down the Cardinals last weekend.
However, the Seahawks still have to prove that they are capable of beating the Rams. Last season, they were solidly in second place in the division, and qualified for the postseason. However, despite some glimpses of brilliance, they could never be regarded as serious title contenders, because they just could not beat the Rams, nor keep up with them through the season in the NFC West race. It would really help them to win this one, and get that monkey off their back. But until they do it – and it certainly will not be easy – there remains serious doubts as to how seriously they can be regarded as legitimate contenders.
The Rams, meanwhile, played well all last season, yet they themselves have been questioned. After all, they benefited strongly from a hugely controversial non-call in the NFC Championship Game that effectively allowed them to reach the Super Bowl. Then, once there, they could not score more than three points total, tied for least in Super Bowl history. That, despite having one of the most explosive and highly ranked offenses in the league.
So, both teams feel that they have something to prove, and they are both facing the prospect of a lot of difficult questions and continued doubts about their ability to enjoy the kind of success they hope to achieve this season, should they lose.
That makes this is a huge match-up, with a lot at stake. The Seahawks are a bit more methodical in style, although the Rams could explode at any moment, and they know how to beat Seattle. But they have to find a way to continue their mastery over the Seahawks, because a second loss in a row would be a brutal reality check for them. However, Seattle cannot afford a second straight home loss, either. If they want to seriously challenge for the NFC West crown, this is a must win. Hell, it might be a must win for them if they hope to qualify for the playoffs again, given the level of play of three of the four teams in this division.
In the end, I suspect that this will be a tight game. My guess is that the Rams are highly motivated to win, and want to keep that psychological edge over the Seahawks, which they maintained last season by sweeping them. If they win this, they will move past the Seahawks, and be in solid position to at least challenge, and perhaps overtake, the as yet unproven 49ers current lead in this division. The Rams have plenty of playoff and elite experience themselves, and in a tight contest that could go either way, I expect that they put it all together just enough to escape with a key win on the road here.
My prediction: L.A. Rams
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