The Los Angeles Rams have turned their season on its head over the last two weeks. After injuries derailed the start of the 2024 campaign leaving them with a 1-4 record, L.A. rattled off back-to-back wins against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings. Now, they face the Seattle Seahawks with a chance to win three straight, get back to .500 and establish themselves in postseason contention.
The Seahawks are 4-4 entering this important divisional battle. However, not all .500 records are built the same, as the Seahawks have lost four of their last five after starting 3-0. This includes double-digit losses to the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.
Seattle will also be without a pair of important pass catchers in tight end Noah Fant and wide receiver DK Metcalf. They may be getting a new, and familiar, piece in the form of Ernest Jones. The former Ram is considered questionable after being traded to the Seahawks from the Tennessee Titans.
On the Rams side, Puka Nacua is the major name on the injury report as he is considered questionable. He hurt his knee in practice earlier this week, and while there was no structural damage to his knee, he may still not be able to go this week. Head coach Sean McVay applauded Nacua’s toughness and said it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the field.
While not having Metcalf could certainly affect this, the Seahawks enter Week 9 with the most passing yards in all of football. They have the fourth-fewest rushing yards and quarterback Geno Smith has turned the ball over via seven interceptions this season, but they have not had any issues moving the ball down field through the air.
They have been middle of the road defensively when it comes to yards against, but the Rams offense looked as efficient as ever against the Vikings, meaning Seattle has some work to do to slow Matthew Stafford and company down.
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) vs. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
1:25 p.m. PT, Sunday, November 3, 2024
Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: FOX
Keys To Victory
1. Taking advantage of Metcalf injury
The Seahawks have as deep a wide receiver core as any team in the NFL, and not having Metcalf gives the Rams a huge opportunity to keep Smith’s air attack in check. If they continue to move the ball with Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, it could be a long day for L.A.
2. Build on offensive momentum
The Rams are coming off of their best offensive performance of the season. And even if Nacua cannot go or is limited this week, having Kupp back should give them enough to build on the momentum they created last week.
