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 7-2 records and riding four-game winning streaks into Sunday’s showdown in Inglewood, Calif.
The Seahawks and Rams are the only two teams in the NFL who rank in the top five in scoring offense (Seattle’s 31.4 points per game is third; L.A.’s 27.9 is fifth) and scoring defense (L.A. is second at 17.0 ppg and Seattle is fifth at 19.1).
And both are coming off games in which they scored 40-plus points. The Seahawks defeated visiting Arizona 44-22 last Sunday while the Rams won 42-26 against San Francisco in Santa Clara, Calif.
“Seems like (the Rams are) playing great football in all three phases,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “This is a damn good team, and they are complete. They are excellent in all three phases.”
As for the view from the other side?
“You can’t help but notice how big-time Seattle’s been,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “What a great challenge it’s gonna be.”
Both teams have been getting great quarterback play.
Seattle’s Sam Darnold is averaging 9.9 yards per passing attempt, the best in the league and the 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, just the second QB to accomplish that feat halfway through the season. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes did it in 2020.
“I’ve only gone against him a few times in my career. This is probably the best I’ve seen him compete,” Macdonald said. “They’re really explosive right now in the passing game. He’s playing great football.”
Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba has already eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving and scored on a 43-yard strike from Darnold on Seattle’s opening drive last weekend as it built a 35-0 lead. He leads the league in receiving yards (1,041) by more than 200 over his closest competition, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase (831).
“I feel great; I’m blessed, man,” Smith-Njigba said. “I’m thankful I’m healthy and can continue this thing going forward next week. … it’s a long season, and we have a lot more games and ways to go. Just focused, locked in, and ready to prepare for L.A.”
The Rams will counter with Puka Nacua, who became the fastest to reach 250 career NFL receptions in just 36 games. Stafford has been on a heater of record-chasing proportion.
Stafford threw four TD 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 ever with at least 400 career regular-season touchdown passes.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence returned two fumbles for touchdowns last week and Seattle is keeping pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a combined 32 sacks. But Lawrence said the Rams’ balance makes for a steep test, and a chess match of sorts with Macdonald calling defensive plays.
“It’s a well-put together offense,” Lawrence said. “Our system, you never know who’s coming. With the drops, coverages, rush lanes … complete defense.”
Seattle’s running game has improved, with Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III combining for 150 yards against the Cardinals on 14 carries apiece.
“I thought our running backs ran tremendously hard and helped close the game out,” Macdonald said. “They’re doing a great job.”
The Rams’ Kyren Williams rushed for 73 yards and two TDs against San Francisco.
Los Angeles’ winning streak has been helped by McVay’s extended use of three tight-end sets. Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and rookie Terrance Ferguson have all caught passes over the past two games, with Parkinson and Allen scoring TDs against the 49ers.
“The thing that’s cool is it always starts with the players,” McVay said. “The only reason you can do it is because you have four players that are capable of doing it. They’re smart, they’re conscientious, they can play all the spots, and it’s awesome.”
Rams wide 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 by Sunday.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (knee) is expected to miss multiple weeks after being injured last week against Arizona.
