Tag: seahawks vs rams

Seahawks Week 18 inactives: 7 players will not suit up vs Rams

Seahawks Week 18 inactives: 7 players will not suit up vs Rams

For the final time this year, the Seattle Seahawks have announced their inactives list. As the team begins preparations to take the field against the Los Angeles Rams, there are seven players who will not be suiting up today.

Although he is listed as an inactive, quarterback Jaren Hall will serve as the team’s emergency third string quarterback, as he has for a few weeks now. Geno Smith may still be dealing with a bit of a lingering knee injury, and while this game won’t be played for the postseason, it’s never a bad time to have a little extra insurance at the game’s most important position!

The full inactive list for both teams can be seen below.

Seahawks Inactives:

  • QB Jaren Hall
  • LB Patrick O’Connell
  • WR Cody White
  • WR John Rhys Plumlee
  • NT Brandon Pili
  • TE Tyler Mabry
  • DT Quinton Nohanna

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter today for more live updates, highlights and analysis during the game!

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Seahawks and LB Ernest Jones IV pause contract extension talks

Seahawks and LB Ernest Jones IV pause contract extension talks

The Seattle Seahawks made a massive move earlier in the season to acquire linebacker Ernest Jones IV from the Tennessee Titans. Seattle had a dire need at linebacker, as Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson were simply not getting it done. So enter Jones, who made an immediate impact in improving the Seahawks run defense.

Trading for Jones was always going to be a risk, because similar to Leonard Williams last season, he is on the final year of his contract. The expectation has been both sides will figure out an extension, as the team and Jones want to get something done. Seattle clearly wants to keep a stud linebacker in the fold and Jones has a desire to remain a Seahawk.

However, it appears contract negotiations have come to a standstill. As reported by Ian Rapoport, both sides have decided to pause negotiations.

The initial reaction online from fans has been sharp, as the 12’s are not thrilled at the possibility of Jones leaving. My take on the situation is general manager John Schneider has never given an in-season extension before, and when two sides have a desire to get something done, it will be done eventually.

Still, if Jones does decide to take meetings elsewhere there is always the risk a team in a much better cap situation blows him away with an offer he cannot refuse. Should this be the case, and the Seahawks lose out on keeping a playmaker at linebacker, it will be a considerable blow to this organization.

Ultimately, to the 12’s I would say have faith in Schneider being able to get something done. As I mentioned earlier, this was the case with Leonard Williams last year and even Geno Smith the year prior to that.

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Seahawks rule RT Abe Lucas OUT for Week 18, Byron Murphy QUESTIONABLE

Seahawks rule RT Abe Lucas OUT for Week 18, Byron Murphy QUESTIONABLE

The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for their 2024 finale in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks have been eliminated from the playoffs and are only playing for pride. While ending the season on a high note with a win and getting a little revenge on a hated division rival, this game is ultimately “meaningless” in the grand scheme of things. As such, Seattle is not likely to risk needless injury to some of their key players.

With that in mind, the Seahawks have already ruled out right tackle Abe Lucas for the Week 18 finale. Lucas has been battling injuries his entire career, and missed the first half of the season in 2024. Lucas is currently listed with an abdomen injury, so it makes sense to keep their starting right tackle sidelined as to avoid potentially setting him back even further going into 2025.

Seattle has also ruled cornerback Josh Jobe OUT as well. Additionally, rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II is listed as QUESTIONABLE. Murphy was limited in Wednesday’s practice, and a non-participant for Thursday. The Seahawks may want to protect their key investment as well.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Rams in Week 18

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Rams in Week 18

The Seattle Seahawks will conclude their 2024 season against their NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Week 18. Several of Ryan Grubb’s offensive starters possess financial and historical-based reasons to put their best effort forward despite already being eliminated from playoff contention. With that in mind, we’ve compiled three bold predictions for the offense.

Geno Smith makes $6 million in incentives

Starting quarterback Geno Smith can earn an additional $6 million via incentives, which would be tacked onto his March roster bonus, if he reaches several statistical achievements. That’s on the higher end of achievable incentives. Smith could earn $2 million for a 10th Seahawks victory, $2 million for reaching 4,282 passing yards (he needs 185), and another $2 million for finishing at 69.7555% completion rate or higher (he’s at 70.2359%).

Jaxon Smith-Njigba shatters Tyler Lockett’s single-season record

Sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is four receptions away (96) from equaling Tyler Lockett’s single-season receptions record (100). Smith-Njigba can sit atop the leaderboard with five catches, one fewer than his per-game average (six). Expect JSN to etch his name in the Seahawks’ record books on Sunday.

Tyler Lockett scores a TD in his potential final game as a Seahawk

Speaking of Lockett, the franchise legend will potentially be playing in his final game with the Seahawks on Sunday. That’s tough to stomach, but Lockett has expressed interest in continuing his career next season, but his cap charge is unfathomably scheduled at $30.8 million, and GM John Schneider could create significant financial flexibility by releasing him. Look for Grubb to try and get the veteran into the end zone in case this is his final hurrah with the organization that drafted him in 2015.

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Jimmy Garoppolo to start for Rams vs Seahawks in Week 18

Jimmy Garoppolo to start for Rams vs Seahawks in Week 18

A familiar face will be taking the field against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Seattle will conclude their 2024 season at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams, who have already clinched being NFC West champions. The Rams have punched their ticket to the playoffs, but their seeding has yet to be determined. They could be either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed, depending on who wins the NFC South and how they fare against Seattle.

Well, it seems LA is not all that interested in who they play during Wild Card Weekend, as the Rams will be resting their starters – including quarterback Matthew Stafford. This means backup Jimmy Garoppolo will get his first action of the season.

After several years as the long time starter with the San Francisco 49ers, Garoppolo has been relegated to the bench for the last two seasons. After being benched and released by the Las Vegas Raiders, “Jimmy G” found his way to the Rams, where he became Matt Stafford’s backup.

In his career, Garoppolo is only 2-5 against the Seahawks all time, throwing six touchdowns against five interceptions. His last start, and victory, against Seattle came in Week 2 of the 2022 season when he played in relief of the injured Trey Lance and helped guide San Francisco to a 27-7 win.

Unfortunately, this means the Seahawks will not get a chance to end Matt Stafford’s perfect record against them. Ever since joining the LA Rams, Stafford annoyingly has a 5-0 mark versus Seattle. However, without Stafford at the helm, the Rams are 0-2 since 2022 when playing the Seahawks with a backup.

While LA clearly does not care much about where they are seeded, there is still plenty for Seattle to play for, especially quarterback Geno Smith.

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Seahawks QB Geno Smith can join historic club in Week 18

Seahawks QB Geno Smith can join historic club in Week 18

Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith has plenty of incentive to play against the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s Week 18 regular-season finale despite the team already being eliminated from postseason contention. Smith could earn an extra $6 million in contract escalators by meeting certain achievements. It turns out he’s also chasing history.

Smith has been extremely accurate for the Seahawks this season. The former West Virginia standout has completed 70.2 percent of his passing attempts through 17 weeks. If Smith maintains that number following Sunday’s game with the Rams, he’ll become the 19th quarterback in NFL history with a 70% completion percentage in an NFL season, per Seahawks PR. Interestingly enough, Tua Tagovailoa, Baker Mayfield, and Jared Goff are also chasing the same accomplishment.

Smith currently ranks fourth in the league in completion percentage, minimum qualifiers included, trailing just the aforementioned three quarterbacks. Smith also ranks fifth in passing yards with 4,097. He’s 16th in quarterback rating among full-time starters. The ex first-round pick has thrown 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for the Seahawks this season.

Smith is slated to enter a contract year in 2025. The veteran’s season-long performance isn’t the reason the Seahawks are missing the postseason. Smith possesses an abundance of reasons to play effectively against the Rams on Sunday.

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Seahawks to wear all-white for regular season finale

Seahawks to wear all-white for regular season finale

The Seattle Seahawks are playing for pride and a chance to hurt the Los Angeles Rams’ postseason chances in Week 18. The playoffs may be out of reach this year for Seattle, but they still have an opportunity to end the season on a high note. Now, for the last time this season, we have our final uniform update.

In Week 18, the Seahawks will conclude the 2024 campaign with their all-white road uniforms. Seattle has only worn this particular combo once this season, all the way back in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions.

Sunday will mark the third-straight season the Seahawks have worn this particular combo twice in one year. In 2022 and 2023, Seattle wore them twice and went 1-1 in this combo both times. If history holds, the Seahawks could be in line for a win.

Overall, Seattle is 8-11 all time in the all-white uniforms. It is not a particularly common combo they employ, but one that should contrast nicely if the Rams decide to wear their blue jerseys with yellow pants.

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Seahawks QB Geno Smith still has plenty to play for in Week 18

Seahawks QB Geno Smith still has plenty to play for in Week 18

The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up to take on the Los Angeles Rams in the Week 18 regular season finale. For the Seahawks, this will be their final game of the season. While it won’t be to make the playoffs, Seattle still has plenty to play for on Sunday. For starters, they can absolutely help spoil Los Angeles’ seeding should they prevail with a victory.

Additionally, quarterback Geno Smith is playing to earn himself some serious bonus money. Smith’s season has been a roller coaster. He has helped guide the Seahawks to a third-consecutive winning season, but untimely turnovers (both his fault and not) contributed to Seattle’s inconsistent offense this year.

Still, Smith was doing the best he could behind the worst offensive line in the league, and while his touchdown-to-interception numbers aren’t spectacular, he has put forth a statistical season that has him on the verge of hitting several contract escalators. ESPN’s Brady Henderson broke down where Smith stands statistically, and what Week 18 could mean for his bank account.

Improving to 10 wins would be the best regular season Smith has ever had as a starter, and would help make the case he belongs in Seattle for 2025… or perhaps longer with an extension. It would also be the best regular season the Seahawks have had since 2020. As for his passing yards, 4,282 is a single-season Seahawks record – one Smith himself set during his first year as a starter in 2022. Should Smith break it again, he would have the No. 1 and No. 2 best passing yard seasons a Seattle quarterback has ever had.

There have been suggestions from some fans online that Sam Howell should start for the Seahawks in Week 18. An opportunity to get real film on their backup to see if they potentially have something to work with. I understand the logic behind this line of thinking, but as I mentioned earlier, Seattle can still hurt their rival’s playoff seeding. Playing for spite alone is good enough reason to play the Rams as if the game means they make the playoffs. But allowing Geno Smith to earn some more money is another quality reason as well. The Seahawks would be making a mistake robbing such an opportunity away from their starting quarterback of three seasons if they start Sam Howell instead.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks players on defense vs. Rams

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks players on defense vs. Rams

The Seattle Seahawks were defeated 26-20 by the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on Sunday. The defense forced the Rams offensive into seven three-and-outs and limited them to 366 total yards of offense. Pro Football Focus had the following three Seahawks defenders as their highest-graded talents on that side of the ball versus the Rams.

Ernest Jones IV | 83.4

Ernest Jones IV was PFF’s fifth-highest graded linebacker in Week 9. He scored even better as a run defender, earning a third-highest 85.7. Jones IV recorded five pressures, three stops, and two pressures. The sideline-to-sideline linebacker has been an excellent addition to the defense following his acquisition in a trade with the Tennessee Titans.

Boye Mafe | 73.4

Boye Mafe has been a steady performer all campaign long. The 2022 second-round selection accumulated two quarterback pressures and two tackles versus the Rams. Mafe was also a force multiplier as a run defender, scoring a steady 73.4 in the run defense department.

Devon Witherspoon | 73.3

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was credited with allowing five receptions on eight targets for 52 receiving yards against Matthew Stafford. His overall defensive grade of 73.3 was his third-best individually graded game of the season. Witherspoon has yet to allow a touchdown catch this year. He’s allowing just 8.7 yards per catch in 2024.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks players on offense vs. Rams

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks players on offense vs. Rams

The Seattle Seahawks were defeated 26-20 by the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on Sunday. The offense gained 20 first downs and accumulated 424 total yards in a losing effort. Pro Football Focus had the following three Seahawks players as their highest-graded talents versus the Rams.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 92.5

Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba enjoyed the best game of his young career on Sunday. The sophomore wideout produced seven receptions for 180 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including a late fourth-quarter score that sent the game to overtime. Smith-Njigba was PFF’s second-highest graded receiver of the week, trailing just Zay Flowers (94.5).

Geno Smith | 76.2

Starting quarterback Geno Smith endured a rollercoaster of a performance. The veteran signal caller completed 21-of-34 passing attempts for 363 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. PFF ranked Smith highly despite him committing multiple turnovers. He was sacked seven times, and likely earned brownie points for performing behind a lackluster offensive line.

Charles Cross | 75.8

Speaking of that offensive line, franchise left tackle Charles Cross was the lone standout performer. Cross was credited with allowing just three pressures and zero sacks in pass protection. The former Mississippi State standout has been outstanding all season long. Seattle’s underwhelming offensive line requires more players of his caliber.

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