LA Rams (3-1) at Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
- Time: 8:20 p.m. EDT
- Line: Rams by 2.5 (54.5)
The skinny: This week 6 game a rematch of one of last season’s wild-card round games, but with a different look since LA has moved on from QB Jared Goff and now has Matt Stafford.
Facts: Stafford had his worst game of the season last week in a 37-20 home loss to Arizona, which happens to have the eighth-best defensive passer rating in the league, the finest he has faced this season. Seattle’s unit is 25th. QB Russell Wilson and the Seahawks’ offense have had six short fields this year, but three of the possessions resulted in punts. Last year they never punted after starting a drive in enemy territory. In fact, Seattle had five three-and-outs to open last week’s game at San Fran, but still won 28-21. The Rams were 20-9 losers in Seattle in Week 16 last season, but two weeks later vanquished the host Seahawks 30-20 in the wild-card round, holding Wilson to 11-for-27 passing (40.7%), with an INT and two TD throws. It matched his worst completion percentage the past nine seasons. In their three meetings overall last season, LA sacked Wilson at least five times each game, including five in that playoff game. In Seattle’s other 14 games, that happened only twice.
Full LAR Vs. SEA Odds
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Analysis: With the Rams again having a potent pass rush, tied for sixth with 12 sacks to date, Wilson should be on the run as usual. On the other side, Stafford has been sacked only three times this season, the fewest for any passer who’s started every week. In last Sunday’s loss, even when the Cardinals knew he had to throw, he never went down on 41 drop-backs. A key to the LA offense could be the health of RB Darrell Henderson, who’s nursing injured ribs and will be operating on short rest. But Sony Michel should be able to fill in capably, but maybe he should sneak some pine tar on his hands. Regardless, Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp, first in the league with five TD receptions and second with 30 catches, should thrive against a Seahawks defense that’s giving up the most yards in the league.
Forecast: Rams 31, Seahawks 20
Last week: 8-8 ATS; 9-7 SU
Season totals: 38-25-1 (.603) ATS; 42-22 (.656) SU
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