NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams end their 2022 season as they travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. The Rams enter this game with a 5-11 record following their 31-10 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Seahawks snapped a 3-game losing streak, defeating the Jets 23-6. The victory kept the Seahawks’ playoff hopes alive. The Rams look to end their season on a high note while the Seahawks look to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win.
Rams Offense vs Seahawks Defense
In their loss to the Chargers, quarterback Baker Mayfield had a quiet game. Mayfield completed 11-19 passes for 132 yards. Mayfield did not throw an interception. The offensive line and their season-long issues with pass protection was evident as Mayfield was sacked 3 times. Van Jefferson led the Rams with 3 receptions for 77 yards. Mayfield has developed a good connection with TE Tyler Higbee. The Chargers defense did a good job in containing Higbee, holding him to 3 receptions for 11 yards. The Seahawks secondary primarily plays a cover 3 concept, which calls for 3 defenders to play deep zone coverage. The scheme is designed to take away the deep pass. Rams coach Sean McVay has had success devising a game plan to attack the Seahawks pass defense. Look for the Rams to attack the Seahawks secondary with seam routes and passes to the flats. The quicker passing game will help the Rams offensive line with pass protection.
In the game against the Chargers, the Rams went to their running game more, rushing for 166 yards on 26 carries. RB Cam Akers led the way with 123 yards on 19 carries. In his last 2 games, Akers has rushed for 241 yards with 3 touchdowns. The Seahawks defense gives up an average of 150 yards rushing per game. Look for the Rams to establish their running game early. With the running game being effective, it will allow the Rams to use play-action passing more effectively and Mayfield should be able to find receivers on seam routes and with quick passes to the flats and slant routes.
Rams Defense vs Seahawks Offense
In their first matchup, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith completed 28-39 passes for 367 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Rams defense sacked Smith 3 times in that game. WR Tyler Lockett led the way with 9 receptions for 128 yards and 1 touchdown. D.K. Metcalf had 8 receptions for 127 and 1 touchdown. Look for Rams DB Jalen Ramsey to shadow either receiver when the Rams play man coverage with DB Troy Hill covering the other receiver. Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris plays more zone coverage. In their first game, Smith was able to attack the Rams zone coverage. Look for Coach Morris to make an adjustment to the pass coverages the Rams will play.
The Rams had held the Seahawks to 90 yards on 22 carries in their earlier matchup. In their game against the Jets, the Seahawks rushed for 198 yards on 38 carries. RB Kenneth Walker led the way with 133 yards on 23 carries. For the season, Walker has rushed for 936 yards and 9 touchdowns. Walker will also be used in the passing game with 26 receptions on the season. The Rams run defense will look to bounce back after allowing 192 yards rushing to the Chargers. The Rams linebackers will be key in stopping the Seahawks running game. Former LB Bobby Wagner will play in his first game in Seattle since the Seahawks released him in the offseason. Wagner and fellow inside LB Ernest Jones will be looked upon to plug up inside running lanes. The Rams defensive line will need to get off their blocks and close off running lanes to contain the Seahawks rushing attack.
Prediction
The Seahawks need a win on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Rams will look to play spoiler and end the Seahawks season. This has been a disappointing season for the defending Superbowl champs. A victory ends the season on a high note for the Rams. Look for the Rams to end the Seahawks season with a hard-fought win.
Rams. 24
Seahawks 21
This past Monday night Bills DB Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Medical personnel performed CPR on Hamlin on the field before taking him to a nearby hospital. As of this writing, the Bills announced that Hamlin had the breathing tube removed and he was able to FaceTime with his teammates. Doctors said he is making good progress toward recovery. When he woke up, the first thing Hamlin did was write a question asking who won the game. The doctors gave Hamlin the best answer when they said he won….he won the game of life. That is the greatest victory Hamlin will ever experience. We here at NBS Media continue to offer our prayers to Damar Hamlin and his family.
