Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) leaps over Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) for a touchdown during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams (4-9) at Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1)
KICKOFF: Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, CenturyLink Field, Seattle. TV: NBC, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Heather Cox.
SERIES HISTORY: 37th regular-season meeting. Seahawks lead series, 21-15. The Seahawks lost the last three meetings and four of the last five. Los Angeles beat Seattle 9-3 in Week 2.
GAMEDATE: 12/15/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: The Rams fired coach Jeff Fisher on Monday, and they will be led in the final three games by special teams coach John Fassel, who played a key role in the team’s wins over the Seahawks the last few years.
Fassel would be well served to follow the same blue print the Rams used to beat the Seahawks in Week 2 — controlling the ball and field position, playing punishing defense to harass Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and putting themselves in position to prevail in a close game. To do so, they will have to crack a season-long issue of failing to get Todd Gurley rolling in the running game. If they can run effectively, it would give rookie QB Jared Goff a chance against a stout Seahawks defense with the play-action pass. If not, it will be a long day for Goff and the Rams.
Seattle, coming off a 38-10 defeat at Green Bay, its worst loss since Pete Carroll’s first season (2010), will look to establish resurgent Thomas Rawls against a Los Angeles defense that ranks just 30th against the run. Finding success on the ground also would slow down the Rams’ pass rushers (Robert Quinn is expected to return from a concussion that cost him the past two games).
The Seahawks’ defense will attack Goff in hopes of forcing the rookie into mistakes. Keeping Gurley bottled up would put significant strain on an already anemic offense and help the Seahawks secure the NFC West title.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–Rams DT Aaron Donald vs. Seahawks RG Germain Ifedi. Donald gave Seattle fits throughout the past few seasons. Ifedi will be facing him for the first time after missing the Week 2 game due to a high ankle sprain.
–Rams WR Kenny Britt vs. Seahawks CB DeShawn Shead. Britt is one of few weapons in the passing game for QB Jared Goff. He often will be lined up across from Shead, whom he beat a few times in their first meeting in September.
WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT
LOS ANGELES RAMS
–Out: S Maurice Alexander (concussion), RB Benny Cunningham (neck)
–Doubtful: CB E.J. Gaines (thigh), DE Robert Quinn (concussion)
–Questionable: DE Matt Longacre (heel).
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
–Out: DE Damontre Moore (foot), RB C.J. Prosise (shoulder)
–Questionable: LB Brock Coyle (foot), LB Dewey McDonald (illness)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls. Rawls recharged Seattle’s rushing attack since returning from a hairline fracture of his fibula four weeks ago. The injury — sustained in the first meeting between Seattle and Los Angeles this season — forced Rawls to miss seven games. He ran for for 268 yards in the four games since returning.
FAST FACTS: Rams RB Todd Gurley rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ win in Seattle last season, but he gained just 51 on 19 carries (2.7 average) in the Week 2 meeting. Gurley is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, 38th in the NFL. … Rams WR Kenny Britt has a TD catch in two of his past three games. In his past two games vs. Seattle, he has nine receptions for 143 yards and a TD. … Rams DT Aaron Donald has two sacks and a forced fumble in his past three games. He has four sacks and a forced fumble in five games vs. Seattle. Since 2014, he leads NFL defensive tackles with 27 sacks. … Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has 23 TD passes and just four interceptions in his past 14 home games. In his past three home games vs. NFC West teams, he threw six TD passes and just one INT. … Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin caught eight passes for 118 yards and a score in the last home meeting. Since 2015, he ranks second in the NFC with 19 receiving TDs.
PREDICTION: A rookie quarterback and team in turmoil are just what the doctor ordered for a Seattle team seeking to rebound from a blowout loss and simultaneously clinch the division title. Of course, the Rams never make it easy for the Seahawks.
OUR PICK: Seahawks, 36-15.
