Seahawks @ Rams WK 5 - Changing of the guard? (1 Viewer)

[Enforcer]

Seattle has been top dog for a few years in the NFC West. Defense has been historically great over a 5 year span. Rams were pretty bad for most of that time under head coach JF. 7-9 bull#### anyone?

Curious to know what fans expect. Can Seattle's aging defense continue what might be declining standards? So far this year its been hit and miss. More miss this year than in the past, but not so in the second half against the Colts last week.  Can the Rams emerging offense keep up their early torrid pace? Inquiring minds want to know. 

 

[Enforcer]

46 views and no comments. Figured someone might throw out an opinion. Guess not. 

I see a lower scoring grind it out affair. Hard to question the heart of a champion. I pick Seattle on a game winning FG late. Just don’t trust Goff in the spotlight yet. We’ll see. 

 

[seahawk 17]

Is Hell freezing over Sunday? 

 

[C-Bound]

This is a bit of a "show me" game for the Rams even though they've pretty much owned Seattle at home lately.  I think the key is Goff continuing to play "unrattled" ball on Sunday.  If he stands in there confidently as he has, the Rams will move the ball and score points on the Seahawks.  I don't expect another 9-6 game.

 

[Enforcer]

Is Hell freezing over Sunday? 

Did it happen when Seattle lost in LA last year?

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Color me interested in this game. There definitely could be a new kid on the block.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Division matchups are always a crap shoot.  I could see Seattle finally getting its run fits cleaned up on defense which would mean a VERY long day for Goff.

I could also see McDonald snapping Wilson's neck like a chicken.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Rams did enough to fix their offensive line (while they improved their offensive coaching scheme) and let the talent on offensive have a chance to have a greater effect outcomes.  Seattle did not. 

They both have lots of talent on defense, but the Rams now have lots of square-pegs and round-holes because of the switch from a 4-3 a 3-4.

 

[seahawk 17]

Did it happen when Seattle lost in LA last year?

That's what I am saying. Seattle wins the West this year, no matter what happens Sunday. There is no changing of the guard. 

 

[Riversco]

Seattle has been top dog for a few years in the NFC West. Defense has been historically great over a 5 year span. Rams were pretty bad for most of that time under head coach JF. 7-9 bull#### anyone?

Curious to know what fans expect. Can Seattle's aging defense continue what might be declining standards? So far this year its been hit and miss. More miss this year than in the past, but not so in the second half against the Colts last week.  Can the Rams emerging offense keep up their early torrid pace? Inquiring minds want to know. 

Its difficult for a west coast team to play well when going on the road back east.  The Seahawks have several of those games this year:  Packers, Titans, Giants, Jaguars.  They are also on the road at the Cowboys.  They are 0-2 in those games.  I think they'll only lose 2 more games and finish 12-4 and that should get the Seahawks home field advantage.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

46 views and no comments. Figured someone might throw out an opinion. Guess not. 

I see a lower scoring grind it out affair. Hard to question the heart of a champion. I pick Seattle on a game winning FG late. Just don’t trust Goff in the spotlight yet. We’ll see. 

Honestly this is a marquis game this week. 

In terms of changing of the guard, Seattle started out slow last year too, but 4-1 vs 2-3 and effectively 3 games down would be a big deal. I think LAR's different style of play is also important. The NFCW has been for years now a ground n pound division, and Seattle set that tone. If the Rams emerge it will be with an offensive oriented team, which will be new. Winds shift in the NFL based on how teams are successful with certain systems. The Rams are starting to remind me of the 2006 Saints team that went to the NFCC. We'll see if they keep it up.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Arizona won the division two years ago, so while Seattle has been the class of the division this decade, it's not like they have dominated it like the Patriots have the NFC East.  

 

[dkp993]

I think we’re seeing a changing of the guard... just not this year, likely next.   I love what the team is doing and might change my mind if they look as good as they have this week vs Seattle, but think we’re still a year away.  

9-7 is my prediction, which would be a massive improvement.  

 

[need2know]

If Rams win this it's huge for them.  Seattle is teetering on not being one of the top nfc teams imo.  So yeah it's a pretty big game

 

[Enforcer]

Or not. Will hate my thoughts on the game later. 

Hate? ####### auto-correct on the phone sucks. That was supposed to say "share". 

 

[C-Bound]

Goff played like a rookie but credit Sea D for playing well.  Rams coulda shoulda won by double digits with just half the turnovers. 

 

[Gopher State]

New guard same as the old guard

 

[xrayveggin]

nice game for Seahawk fans.

The defense can abuse an opposing offense when the Hawks get the lead, though I was shocked that the Rams got to the red zone on that last drive so quickly and had 4 good shots to score.

Improving outlook for the OL, who performed quite well against an excellent front 7. Wish I had Rawls going forward. Lacy had a couple decent carries, but the rest of the time he's trying too hard to avoid contact, to the detriment of the yards he could gain. Think McKissic is too light in the pants (at least this season) to be a 3rd down back - he can't effectively delay blitzers - it might limit his utilization, or the team will have to find other ways to get him on the field. I expect Prosise to be the 3rd down back going forward, and he might be a cheap waiver pickup this week because of his HAS and the bye week; he and Rawls are the most NFL capable players at this point.

The bye week comes at a good time. Lots of dinged up players get a chance for a rest and the OL and DL can work out a few kinks.

While it's unclear if Avril will return to the field this season, waiting in the wings, Malik McDowell (concussion) and a reportedly healthy Dion Jordan on the NFI list and DeShawn Shead on the PUP may all return after the bye week or as late as week 11.

 

[Enforcer]

Goff isn't ready. The throw he lobbed down the center of the field when getting pressured by Jarran Reed would scare the hell out of me if I were a Rams fan. Yes, they were one completed ball to Kupp on the final series away from winning this game, but it shouldn't have to come down to that playing at home in the what could be the biggest game they've had in a many years. That singular interception from Goff is a bad sign. Quarterbacks (no matter how young) shouldn't lob balls like that down the middle of the field. Just a horrible decision. Perhaps I'm being too hard on the guy. After the game Richard Sherman was complimentary of Goff stating that he would have turned the ball over more times if not for a bit of newly discovered discipline. Sherman said he played well, but Seattle just played better I guess. 

The predicted demise of the Seattle defense was a bit premature. Listening to Neon Deion this past week throwing around all sorts of superlatives about how this defense is not an elite unit still.... Well, okay. I know that no one should ever consider Deion's opinion noteworthy. Perhaps that's on me. Regardless, when you're starting 8 legitimate pro-bowlers...well, yeah. 

Sammy Watkins? Will be curious to hear the press conferences. Dude was a total non-factor. Sherman does a good job of taking away the deep routes. Seattle refuses to get beat over the top, ever. 

Pete Carroll convinces his team that every week is a championship opportunity. I'm wondering if McVay has it in him to get his team up for big games. Was this a big game? If I'm a Rams fan I would say so. We'll see. 

 

[Enforcer]

I think we’re seeing a changing of the guard... just not this year, likely next.   I love what the team is doing and might change my mind if they look as good as they have this week vs Seattle, but think we’re still a year away.  

9-7 is my prediction, which would be a massive improvement.  

Rams aren't quite there, but I think they're headed in the right direction. 

 

[Enforcer]

Wish I had Rawls going forward. Lacy had a couple decent carries, but the rest of the time he's trying too hard to avoid contact, to the detriment of the yards he could gain. Think McKissic is too light in the pants (at least this season) to be a 3rd down back - he can't effectively delay blitzers - it might limit his utilization, or the team will have to find other ways to get him on the field. I expect Prosise to be the 3rd down back going forward, and he might be a cheap waiver pickup this week because of his HAS and the bye week; he and Rawls are the most NFL capable players at this point.

I agree with this guy. By the end of the season I think Lacy is relegated to the bench. Rawls looks like he wants it more.