NFL Game of the Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams (3-1) travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks (3-1) on Thursday night at 8:20 p.m. on Fox and NFL Network to kick off Week 5. Last season, the Rams took both games from their divisional rival, winning 33-31 and 36-31.
Seattle comes into this game after a 27-10 win in Arizona against the Cardinals where the Seahawks were dominant on both sides of the football. Quarterback Russell Wilson completed 22 of 28 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown, and running back Chris Carson rushed for over 100 yards for the first time this season. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney recorded an interception returned for a touchdown in the first half to give Seattle a 10-0 lead, and they never trailed after that.
The Rams were upset by the Buccaneers in Week 4 in a 55-40 offensive frenzy. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 45 of 68 passes for 517 yards and two touchdowns, but three interceptions and a fumble late in the fourth quarter gave the Rams their first loss. The running game and the secondary struggled mightily, as running back Todd Gurley rushed five times for 16 yards, and the defense allowed Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston to throw for 385 yards and four touchdowns.
The narrative for Los Angeles this season has been the struggles of wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, who are both averaging less receiving yards per target than last season. However, wide receiver Cooper Kupp has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in his last three games. All three will look to step it up this week with the recent struggles of the run game, which may struggle again against Seattle’s aggressive defensive line.
Goff has had his ups and downs this year, as he comes into this one ranked third among quarterbacks in both yards and yards per game this season, but he also leads the league with six interceptions. Goff, Cooks and Woods will have to show up in this game for the Rams to win, as rushing yards will be hard to come by.
Wilson has the second best passer rating this season at 118.7. His consistency, along with solid performances from Carson, Clowney and wide receiver Tyler Lockett, will make the Seahawks hard to beat at home.
Prediction: Seattle 27, Los Angeles 23
Jack McCune is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jxm1237@psu.edu.
