The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up to play one of the more uncertain games in recent memory as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday evening. Originally slated for the usual Sunday afternoon timeslot, the Seahawks were forced to postpone their game due to a massive COVID-19 outbreak suffered by the Rams over the week. As of Monday afternoon, the Rams had 18 players on the COVID/reserve list.
Unfortunately by postponing the game, it became detrimental to the Seahawks’ health as a handful of critical players are now dealing with COVID themselves. Tyler Lockett, Alex Collins, Kerry Hyder, Travis Homer, Brandon Shell, DJ Reed and now Bryan Mone are all on the list. These are not insignificant losses, especially when it comes to Lockett.
Having Lockett off the field means far more attention will be given to DK Metcalf by LA’s secondary led by Jalen Ramsey – who was recently activated off the COVID list himself. In their matchups, Ramsey has mostly been effectively limited Metcalf’s production for Seattle.
In the Week 5 meeting between these teams, the Rams were handling the Seahawks with their usual ease in a 26-17 win in Seattle. Despite a fourth quarter spark provided by backup Geno Smith following Russell Wilson’s injury, Los Angeles was never truly at risk of dropping the game.
Seattle has not won on the road against the Rams since 2017 and even then it was a game they barely escaped with a score of 16-10 due to a dropped game-winning touchdown by then-rookie Cooper Kupp. Considering he is arguably the best receiver in the NFL this year, it’s unlikely such an outcome will happen again.
The Rams under Sean McVay have outright owned the Seahawks. Originally this series was defined by Seattle’s inability to stop his offense from scoring, as they had surrendered 42, 33, 36, 29 and 28 points respectively in five of the first six meetings against McVay.
Since then it has been more about the Seahawks’ inability to even move the ball. Seattle’s point totals in the last four meetings have been 12, 16, 20 and while they ended with 20 points in the playoff loss last year they were trailing 30-13 well into the fourth quarter.
Wilson and the Seahawks offense have been playing much better these last two games, but don’t expect it to continue against a team that has historically had Wilson’s number, especially as he likely won’t have Lockett.
Prediction: Rams over Seahawks 21-10
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