The Seahawks win this game no matter how well the Rams play otherwise if:
* Jobe and Woolen prevent Davante Adams from dominating in the red zone, and
* Ken Walker can get to the outside
Adams leads the NFL in touchdowns (9). Eight of those came from the red zone and six of *those* were from inside the 5 yard line. Shutting him down in the red zone is critical; keeping the Rams from getting there in the first place would be even better.
The Rams have not allowed a rushing TD this season and have not allowed a run of longer than 13 yards (both as per Mike Dugar). Yet, their corners are vulnerable to the run as well as the pass (as per Nate Atkins, who covers the Rams for The Athletic). If Walker can get to the outside and isolate on these CBs, the LA defense could be looking at a long day.
There other ways to win, of course, but pull off these two and the game might not be close. Can the Hawks do this? I have my doubts just because the Rams are really good and are playing at home.
I don't think "playing at home" in November in Los Angeles is very much of an advantage. The weather is pleasant, the crowd is passive, and the Ref's are a national crew.
Nothing like a shot of reality...appreciate it. Wish we had super speed at safety like Earl Thomas was bitd. I love CB but he's no ET. I'm surprised about pff ratings on our o line, but then again I'm not surprised by pff rankings. I'm definitely watching the trenches this week, that's a huge part of this one for sure. This is a great test to see where we are and see where the rams are at. I'm stoked but nervous. Let's hurry this up...
Only have 27 more hours to go. I think we have at least a 50% chance of winning. I’m almost at the point of saying win the turnover battle, win was game.
Last year was split 1-1. But that second encounter we played the Lambs, not the Rams. Although the first game was only a one-score affair. I've see a few previews go on about McVay "having the 'Hawks number" - he had Pete's number. In the new Alliteration Era the Rams have nothing over us!
This might as well be the first match-up of the new regime. So much has changed since last year where we were looking for green shoots, and now we're looking how big the tree is. The Rams too have undergone a sizable change in philosophy and personnel. It's a fascinating match-up, the most intriguing of the last two years by far.
One team will come out of the night victorious. One team will become the darling of the media and the NFC favorite (sorry Eagles). But it's not the be-all-end-all for the defeated either. Keep it close, make it a scrap, and learn how to turn it around in the rematch - and quite possibly in the Playoffs. Yes this is a little pre-game "relax, it's fine if we lose" copium but it's no less true. Just the fact the nerves are up for a game against the Rams is big news. Too long since we were here, and it mattered beyond pride. Lets go 'Hawks! FTR! Snap Staffords spine in half (figuratively...) and turn the Rams back into the Lambs.
Stafford doesn't scramble or even move all that well, and the best way to get quick pressure is right up the middle. I'm looking for someone in the announcers' booth to ask, "is that Aaron Donald in a Seahawks uniform out there?" A big game for Big Murph and/or Big Cat would be BIG!
This feels like the game we get punched in the face. My question is how we respond to that -- both in the game, and after (especially if the punch proves a knockout). My other question is how much either coach reveals in this first tilt, since they both should be anticipating two more, of which the last one is winner take all.
I feel the Seahawks have at least as good a chance to win this game as the Rams. I have previously predicted this game as a loss, but I feel better about our chances now than a few weeks ago at the bye week. My biggest concern is turnovers. We’ve done that at an alarmingly high rate this year. I think we can turn that around and win the turnover battle tomorrow.
I really like Coby Bryant. I think he plays like a Seahawk. He’s very physical and was a forced fumble machine earlier in his career. I’d like to see him remain a Seahawk. I know there was an attempt to sign him earlier in camp, according to Brady Henderson, but he wanted more than JS had to offer and is betting on himself. His value to other teams is probably higher than it is to the Seahawks. They already have Love and Emmanwori under contract next year, and Okada will cost less to sign back to the team. (I think) Nevertheless, I still dream he will take a team friendly deal and stay.
Instead of picking 5 players this week, I have a few landmarks that I think are important to meet for the Hawks to win. 1) win the turnover battle. I know we’ve won games even though we turned it over 2, 3 and even 4 times. But the teams we beat were not complete teams like the Rams. It’s time to step up, protect the ball and not leave the defense in several short field situations with this Rams offense. 2) build on the running success of last week. I don’t think we need 200 yards again, although that would be nice. How about 125+? A viable run game will help relieve the pressure of the pass rush. I also think the Rams and Shula will not go heavy box as much as we’ve seen this season. Betting on their D-line to stop the run. K9 might get stuffed, but without a stacked box, he might also break a few for nice gains. 3) pressure Stafford. I know Stafford gets rid of the ball very quickly and that makes pressure more difficult to bring, but I’m betting MM will find a way to bring it. It sure would be nice to double Stafford’s season total of 2 INTs so far.
If I was going to pick a player to have a standout game, it would be JSN. I know he will be the focal point of the Rams defense, but if my memory serves me correctly, the fist game against the Rams last year was a huge game for JSN. Thankfully DK was out and the opportunity was there for JSN and he had a big game. I think it was for over 150 yards, AND he had two big plays canceled by penalties that would have had him well over 200 yards on the day. The Rams corners are not of a caliber to handle JSN. I think he will come through big, despite getting double teamed, especially if the Hawk’s running game clicks early.
Methinks John Benton had one directive this year: have our Boyz ready by week 11. Tomorrow we pull out all the stops, play guys we haven't seen much and watch plays we only hoped for. Our gimmick plays have been a Joke, maybe intentionally so. Nobody will be looking there. Bobo's claim to fame is he goes after everything sent his way and completes the assignment. Bobo-play lurks everywhere. Put LA on their heels then unlock a second half the Rams believe they own. Highway robbery. There is so much to be said tomorrow: to the NFL, to the National Media and to the Minnesota Vikings. We've only begun to Root.
The Seahawks win this game no matter how well the Rams play otherwise if:
* Jobe and Woolen prevent Davante Adams from dominating in the red zone, and
* Ken Walker can get to the outside
Adams leads the NFL in touchdowns (9). Eight of those came from the red zone and six of *those* were from inside the 5 yard line. Shutting him down in the red zone is critical; keeping the Rams from getting there in the first place would be even better.
The Rams have not allowed a rushing TD this season and have not allowed a run of longer than 13 yards (both as per Mike Dugar). Yet, their corners are vulnerable to the run as well as the pass (as per Nate Atkins, who covers the Rams for The Athletic). If Walker can get to the outside and isolate on these CBs, the LA defense could be looking at a long day.
There other ways to win, of course, but pull off these two and the game might not be close. Can the Hawks do this? I have my doubts just because the Rams are really good and are playing at home.
I don't think "playing at home" in November in Los Angeles is very much of an advantage. The weather is pleasant, the crowd is passive, and the Ref's are a national crew.
Nothing like a shot of reality...appreciate it. Wish we had super speed at safety like Earl Thomas was bitd. I love CB but he's no ET. I'm surprised about pff ratings on our o line, but then again I'm not surprised by pff rankings. I'm definitely watching the trenches this week, that's a huge part of this one for sure. This is a great test to see where we are and see where the rams are at. I'm stoked but nervous. Let's hurry this up...
Only have 27 more hours to go. I think we have at least a 50% chance of winning. I’m almost at the point of saying win the turnover battle, win was game.
Last year was split 1-1. But that second encounter we played the Lambs, not the Rams. Although the first game was only a one-score affair. I've see a few previews go on about McVay "having the 'Hawks number" - he had Pete's number. In the new Alliteration Era the Rams have nothing over us!
This might as well be the first match-up of the new regime. So much has changed since last year where we were looking for green shoots, and now we're looking how big the tree is. The Rams too have undergone a sizable change in philosophy and personnel. It's a fascinating match-up, the most intriguing of the last two years by far.
One team will come out of the night victorious. One team will become the darling of the media and the NFC favorite (sorry Eagles). But it's not the be-all-end-all for the defeated either. Keep it close, make it a scrap, and learn how to turn it around in the rematch - and quite possibly in the Playoffs. Yes this is a little pre-game "relax, it's fine if we lose" copium but it's no less true. Just the fact the nerves are up for a game against the Rams is big news. Too long since we were here, and it mattered beyond pride. Lets go 'Hawks! FTR! Snap Staffords spine in half (figuratively...) and turn the Rams back into the Lambs.
Stafford doesn't scramble or even move all that well, and the best way to get quick pressure is right up the middle. I'm looking for someone in the announcers' booth to ask, "is that Aaron Donald in a Seahawks uniform out there?" A big game for Big Murph and/or Big Cat would be BIG!
This feels like the game we get punched in the face. My question is how we respond to that -- both in the game, and after (especially if the punch proves a knockout). My other question is how much either coach reveals in this first tilt, since they both should be anticipating two more, of which the last one is winner take all.
I feel the Seahawks have at least as good a chance to win this game as the Rams. I have previously predicted this game as a loss, but I feel better about our chances now than a few weeks ago at the bye week. My biggest concern is turnovers. We’ve done that at an alarmingly high rate this year. I think we can turn that around and win the turnover battle tomorrow.
I really like Coby Bryant. I think he plays like a Seahawk. He’s very physical and was a forced fumble machine earlier in his career. I’d like to see him remain a Seahawk. I know there was an attempt to sign him earlier in camp, according to Brady Henderson, but he wanted more than JS had to offer and is betting on himself. His value to other teams is probably higher than it is to the Seahawks. They already have Love and Emmanwori under contract next year, and Okada will cost less to sign back to the team. (I think) Nevertheless, I still dream he will take a team friendly deal and stay.
Instead of picking 5 players this week, I have a few landmarks that I think are important to meet for the Hawks to win. 1) win the turnover battle. I know we’ve won games even though we turned it over 2, 3 and even 4 times. But the teams we beat were not complete teams like the Rams. It’s time to step up, protect the ball and not leave the defense in several short field situations with this Rams offense. 2) build on the running success of last week. I don’t think we need 200 yards again, although that would be nice. How about 125+? A viable run game will help relieve the pressure of the pass rush. I also think the Rams and Shula will not go heavy box as much as we’ve seen this season. Betting on their D-line to stop the run. K9 might get stuffed, but without a stacked box, he might also break a few for nice gains. 3) pressure Stafford. I know Stafford gets rid of the ball very quickly and that makes pressure more difficult to bring, but I’m betting MM will find a way to bring it. It sure would be nice to double Stafford’s season total of 2 INTs so far.
If I was going to pick a player to have a standout game, it would be JSN. I know he will be the focal point of the Rams defense, but if my memory serves me correctly, the fist game against the Rams last year was a huge game for JSN. Thankfully DK was out and the opportunity was there for JSN and he had a big game. I think it was for over 150 yards, AND he had two big plays canceled by penalties that would have had him well over 200 yards on the day. The Rams corners are not of a caliber to handle JSN. I think he will come through big, despite getting double teamed, especially if the Hawk’s running game clicks early.
Methinks John Benton had one directive this year: have our Boyz ready by week 11. Tomorrow we pull out all the stops, play guys we haven't seen much and watch plays we only hoped for. Our gimmick plays have been a Joke, maybe intentionally so. Nobody will be looking there. Bobo's claim to fame is he goes after everything sent his way and completes the assignment. Bobo-play lurks everywhere. Put LA on their heels then unlock a second half the Rams believe they own. Highway robbery. There is so much to be said tomorrow: to the NFL, to the National Media and to the Minnesota Vikings. We've only begun to Root.
I am expecting Seattle to use a lot of bubble screens and forcing the run as always. The rams Defense is good.
My concern is center and we have an injured guard and we are thin there
I agree about Bryant. I could conceivably see him staying. It depends on the injury to love. He has been out a long time and he’s not all that young.