Tag: Seattle Seahawks

Rams brilliantly dunk on Seahawks and division rivals despite losing in Week 18

Even after a loss, the Rams found a way to dunk on the rest of the division with a hilarious post on social media

Even in a loss, the Los Angeles Rams managed to dunk on the rest of the division – including the team that just beat them on Sunday afternoon.

Following their 30-25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams’ official account on X (formerly Twitter) trolled their Week 18 opponent and their other NFC West foes with a hilarious post. Yeah, the Seahawks might’ve won but it was the Rams who took home the division title last week, which made this game mostly meaningless for Los Angeles.

Oh, and the Cardinals and 49ers couldn’t do anything but watch from the basement as the third- and fourth-place teams in the division.

Hats off to the Rams’ social admin for that post. Well done.

Seahawks defeat Rams 30-25, end the season on a high note

Seahawks defeat Rams 30-25, end the season on a high note

With the playoffs out of reach, all that was left for the Seattle Seahawks were moral victories, but they did achieve them! Seattle ends the 2024 season with a 30-25 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, and earned several key milestones along the way in the process.

The Seahawks ended the year 10-7, making this their first season with double-digit wins since the 2020 campaign. It also means Mike Macdonald became the first head coach in franchise history to win 10 games in his first year as top man. Seattle also tied the franchise-best road record by going 7-1 away from home this year. While a trip to the postseason would have been preferable to all of this, there is still plenty of positives for the Hawks to hang their hats on.

As I predicted earlier Sunday morning, the Rams were absolutely going to make the Seahawks earn it. Seattle going in as 7.5 point favorites felt like fool’s gold to the max, and it turned out to be the case. The Seahawks, despite dominating most of the first half, struggled in the second, and needed yet another heroic comeback from an injured Geno Smith to escape with a win.

Seattle’s defense melted down ever since the opening two punts from the Rams. After those two, LA scored 10 points, threw an interception, then proceeded to score on four-straight drives. They eventually took a 25-24 lead with under five minutes to play.

Smith then engineered an eight-play, 65 yard drive to regain the lead. Smith found tight end Noah Fant for his 4th passing touchdown of the day, which became a career-best for the veteran quarterback. It is only fitting he had four touchdown passes on a day when he also set a new single-season Seahawks passing yard record at 4,320 yards.

Still, things weren’t going to be done there. After a failed two-point conversion play, the Rams had a chance to embarrass Seattle with a game-winning drive. LA made it all the way to the Seahawks’ nine-yard line where they faced a 4th-and-3. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo, who passed for 334 yards, threw his final ball of the game too low and it was broken up.

The Seahawks now head into another offseason filled with plenty of questions and difficult decisions to be made. But for one last moment before all that begins, the team can revel in victory before preparing for the 2025 campaign.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Rams fall short vs. Seahawks, 30-25: Instant analysis of Week 18 loss

Jimmy Garoppolo and the Rams couldn’t pull off the upset against the Seahawks, coming up just short in the season finale

The Los Angeles Rams began Sunday’s game knowing that if they won, they’d maintain the No. 3 seed in the NFC and face the Washington Commanders in the wild-card round. A loss would drop them to No. 4, forcing them to face the Minnesota Vikings or Detroit Lions next week.

That didn’t change Sean McVay’s mind about resting his starters, leaning on Jimmy Garoppolo, Blake Corum and mostly backups on offense against the Seattle Seahawks. And though the Rams put up a good fight against their division rivals, they came up just short.

Garoppolo couldn’t connect with Jordan Whittington late in the fourth quarter on fourth down, turning the ball over on downs with 17 seconds to play. It was a tough spot for Garoppolo, who hadn’t played since 2023, but he gave the Rams a chance.

Now, the Rams will be tested in a big way next week against a 14-win team.

Final score: Seahawks 30, Rams 25

Game notes

  • The Rams rested most of their starters on offense, but Steve Avila did get the start at left guard. It was Joe Noteboom at left tackle, Dylan McMahon at center, Jonah Jackson at right guard and Warren McClendon Jr. at right tackle.
  • On defense, just about all of the Rams’ starters saw playing time early on. Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Ahkello Witherspoon and Quentin Lake were all on the field getting playing time.
  • The offense got off to a slow start outside of a 23-yard dime from Jimmy Garoppolo to Demarcus Robinson on the first play. The Rams punted on their first two drives before getting a field goal on their third possession.
  • Despite the defense playing most of its starters, the Seahawks still carved the Rams up. They scored touchdowns on their second and third drives. The first touchdown was a 4-yard catch by Jake Bobo against Cobie Durant, and the second was a 20-yarder by DK Metcalf with Witherspoon in coverage.
  • Eventually, Garoppolo and the offense got into a rhythm, putting up points on six of their next seven possessions after their two early punts. Tyler Higbee caught the first touchdown pass of the game, a 6-yarder from Garoppolo for his second score of the season.
  • Garoppolo threw a bad interception in the second quarter but he bounced back from it nicely on the next drive, helping get the Rams in position for a field goal just before halftime. He hit Demarcus Robinson for a 31-yard gain in the waning seconds of the first half, giving Joshua Karty a chance at a 58-yard field goal, which he drilled.
  • To open the second half, the Rams went 40 yards in nine plays and Karty delivered with another long field goal, making it from 57 yards out.
  • After the Seahawks scored a touchdown to go up 24-16, the Rams responded with a touchdown drive of their own. They went 70 yards in nine plays, capped off by a Tyler Johnson touchdown from 4 yards out.
  • The defense got a quick stop on the ensuing drive, forcing another punt by the Seahawks. They then moved the ball well for the fourth straight drive, adding three points with a 38-yard field goal by Karty to give the Rams a 25-24 lead.
  • The Rams’ lead was short-lived because the Seahawks drove down the field and scored a go-ahead touchdown on a pass from Geno Smith to Noah Fant. The two-point try failed, giving Seattle a 30-25 lead with 3:19 left.
  • The Rams had a chance to take a late lead when they got to the 9-yard line with 21 seconds left, but Garoppolo’s pass to Whittington was short and incomplete, turning the ball over on downs.

It was over when…

… Garoppolo’s fourth-down pass to Whittington with 21 seconds left fell incomplete. The Rams were at the 9-yard line with a chance to take the lead, but the pass was short and hit the turf, causing a turnover on downs.

3 stars of the game

No. 3 star: Demarcus Robinson – 3 catches, 72 yards

No. 2 star: Jordan Whittington – 3 catches, 86 yards

No. 1 star: Jimmy Garoppolo – 27-for-41, 334 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

Play of the game

This was an important play in the game and also an impressive one by Robinson. He caught a 31-yard bomb before halftime, giving Karty a chance to kick a 58-yard field goal, which he knocked through the uprights.

What’s next?

With the Rams’ loss to the Seahawks, they drop to No. 4 in the NFC. That means they will host the loser of Vikings-Lions in the wild-card round next week, welcoming a 14-win team to SoFi Stadium. It’s going to be a tough matchup regardless, but they did beat the Vikings earlier this season and took the Lions to overtime.

Carolina Panthers’ 2025 opponents officially set

Here’s who the Panthers will be matching up with throughout the 2025 season:

The Carolina Panthers concluded their 2024 season on Sunday. And hey—they did it on a winning note!

Led by a career day from second-year quarterback Bryce Young, the Panthers upset the once-playoff-hopeful Atlanta Falcons for a walk-off 44-38 overtime victory this afternoon. Young notched a career-high five touchdowns—completing 25 of his 34 passing attempts for 251 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 24 yards and two scores.

Carolina’s triumph solidified a 5-12 record on the campaign as well as a third-place finish in the NFC South.

But what about next year? Who now lies ahead for 2025?

Here are the Panthers’ opponents for next season . . .

Panthers’ 2025 home opponents

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Dallas Cowboys

Panthers’ 2025 away opponents

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • New England Patriots
  • New York Jets
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Jacksonville Jaguars

[lawrence-related id=709711,709692,709670]

First half recap and highlights: Seahawks lead 17-13 over Rams

First half recap and highlights: Seahawks lead 17-13 over Rams

The Seattle Seahawks may be not be competing for a spot in the postseason, but they sure are playing as if they were. Or, at the very least, playing to make sure they achieve history, incentives and pride on the way out. Against a Rams team resting starters and indifferent to playoff seeding, the Seahawks are living up to head coach Mike Macdonald’s idea of “finishing the right way.”

Seattle started the game with a punt on their opening drive, which ensured the team went the entire season without scoring a touchdown on an opening possession. However, since then, the Seahawks had little trouble getting the scoring going. After forcing a punt from the Rams, Seattle went on a five-play, 60-yard drive which ended with Geno Smith finding wide receiver Jake Bobo for his first score of the year.

Los Angeles punted again, and the Seahawks decided they wanted to improve on their previous drive. Seattle took seven plays this time, but went 70 yards and found the end zone once more. For all the frustration at times with both quarterback Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, the pair reminded everyone why the Seahawks should not be so quick to move off either this coming spring.

The Rams were eventually able to find the end zone for the first time of the afternoon, as Jimmy Garoppolo found Tyler Higbee for a touchdown to cut Seattle’s lead to 14-10. The Seahawks did manage to build it back up to a full touchdown lead, as Jason Myers nailed a 56-yard field goal, continuing to build history for the franchise.

Los Angeles attempted to answer back, but their next drive lasted all of three plays before Garoppolo’s pass was intercepted by safety Julian Love. Seattle did not do anything with the extra possession, but another highlight for Seattle’s top safety is always welcome.

Of course, the most important aspect of this game for the Seahawks is if certain players will be able to meet key milestones. Geno Smith stands to make the most, earning up to $6 million in contract escalators tied to performance. Here is where they stand after one half of football:

  • $2 million if Smith eclipses 4,282 passing yards (Smith has 130, only needs 56 more)
  • $2 million if Smith has better than 69.7555% completion percentage for the year (Smith has completed 78.6% of his passes today, and has 70.2% on the year)
  • $2 million if the Seahawks win 10 games (they currently lead 17-13)

Additionally, second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is chasing history as well. Tyler Lockett holds the franchise record for most receptions in a single season with 100, as he reached that mark in 2020. JSN has two catches on three targets, and will need three more to set a new record.

The Seahawks will get the ball to start the second half. Los Angeles did cut into Seattle’s lead with a 58-yard field goal right before the second quarter came to a conclusion.

Be sure to keep following @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Carolina Panthers’ 2025 opponents officially set

Here’s who the Panthers will be matching up with throughout the 2025 season:

The Carolina Panthers concluded their 2024 season on Sunday. And hey—they did it on a winning note!

Led by a career day from second-year quarterback Bryce Young, the Panthers upset the once-playoff-hopeful Atlanta Falcons for a walk-off 44-38 overtime victory this afternoon. Young notched a career-high five touchdowns—completing 25 of his 34 passing attempts for 251 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 24 yards and two scores.

Carolina’s triumph solidified a 5-12 record on the campaign and more than doubling their win total from a year ago.

But what about next year? Who now lies ahead for 2025?

Here are the Panthers’ opponents for next season . . .

Panthers’ 2025 home opponents

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Dallas Cowboys

Panthers’ 2025 away opponents

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • New England Patriots
  • New York Jets
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Jacksonville Jaguars

[lawrence-related id=709711,709692,709670]

NFC playoff bracket: How Buccaneers’ win impacts Rams’ seed

With the Buccaneers’ win over New Orleans, the Rams must win in order to keep the No. 3 seed

The Los Angeles Rams are currently the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff bracket thanks to their 10-6 record, but they have work to do if they want to stay there. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Rams could potentially drop to No. 4 in the conference if they lose to the Seattle Seahawks.

Here are the scenarios for the Rams today against Seattle as it pertains to their playoff seeding.

No. 3 seed

Rams win OR tie vs. Seahawks

No. 4 seed

Rams loss vs. Seahawks

Had the Buccaneers lost to the Saints, which looked like a possibility deep into the second half when New Orleans led 19-13 in the third quarter, the Rams would have absolutely nothing to play for today. They’d have clinched the No. 3 seed with no possibility of dropping to No. 4.

But now that the Bucs won, the Rams also have to win in order to keep the No. 3 spot.

If the Rams do win or tie, they will face the Washington Commanders in the wild-card round. Washington clinched the No. 6 seed with its win over the Dallas Cowboys today.

If the Rams lose, they’ll play either the Minnesota Vikings or Detroit Lions next week. They can no longer face the Green Bay Packers, who are locked into the No. 7 seed.

Are Tyler Lockett’s cleats sending a message about his future?

Are Tyler Lockett’s cleats sending a message about his future?

The Seattle Seahawks are less than an hour away from kicking off against the Los Angeles Rams. This Week 18 game is not just the Seahawks’ final outing of the season, it could also be wide receiver Tyler Lockett’s final game of his career. Or, at the very least, with Seattle.

Lockett, who has had a marvelous 10 years in the league, has had a sharp decline in production this season and in the season prior. He also carries a massive $30 million cap hit going into 2025. His age, his production and cap hit have many wondering if this could very well be his final game with the Seahawks, and perhaps his career should he choose to hang up his cleats.

Oh, speaking of his cleats, his choice of footwear today certainly leads to further speculation this could be the end of the line for Lockett. He shared an image of them on his social media, and they can be seen below.

If this truly is the end of Lockett’s time in Seattle, then the Seahawks should do all they can to send him out with a win today. He deserves at least that much.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

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!

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Rams inactives: Matthew Stafford, 6 other starters won’t play vs. Seahawks

Matthew Stafford and 6 other starters are officially inactive today and will not play against the Seahawks

The Los Angeles Rams are taking every precaution to make sure their top players are healthy for the start of the playoffs. Despite having the chance to clinch the No. 3 seed with a win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams are resting many of their starters today.

Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams and Kevin Dotson are all healthy scratches and will not play against the Seahawks. They’re all inactive, as is Rob Havenstein, who’s dealing with a shoulder injury.

Those seven players make up the complete list of inactives for the Rams this week. Everyone else is good to go and healthy enough to play.

For the Seahawks, there are no surprises on their list of inactives. Byron Murphy II was questionable to play but he’s officially active.

Below are the seven players who are inactive for the Seahawks today.