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The St. Louis Rams will finish their 2014 campaign much like they’ve finished the last seven...with a losing record. The Seattle Seahawks may potentially end theirs like they did last year...heading into the postseason with a legitimate shot at taking home the Lombardi trophy.
The Rams, however, played the underdog role well in Week 7, narrowly defeating the defending champs 28-26 at home. With the Seahawks’ fate in their own hands, and a win securing them the No. 1 overall seed and home field advantage, can the Rams’ do the unthinkable and win in Seattle for the first time since January 2005?
The Turf Show Times staff have their predictions...
sergey606 [@thatsergey]
The game I most and least look forward to every time the schedules come out - the annual week 17 trip to Seattle. Whoever makes the schedule needs to be punched in the boob. The last time Rams won in Seattle, the field was still called Qwest (2004-2005 season). One of these years the Rams will end that streak. Had the Cardinals beat Seahawks at home, this would have been the year, with a chance to completely end Seattle's playoff hopes there would be more motivation. However, Rams can still bump them down to a Wild Card.
Fisher seems to have a random game during the season when his team just goes nuts against a very good opponent - that win was versus the Broncos. Seattle has a lot more on the line, they're playing for home field advantage, while the Rams are playing just to upset.
I really think that Seattle is a team no one wants to play right now, the run game is back to beast mode, the defense is back to its suffocating self, etc. Meanwhile, the Rams have dropped two in a row, defense got carved by the Giants, and the offense can't do anything versus a good defense (see: Cards game).
Last week I was hoping to write a positive and mind blowing prediction, but after the Giants game I just can't. To wrap this up (Christmas pun absolutely intended): Seahawks 35, Rams 17. Hawks allow a TD in garbage time - I'll be depressed and drunk by halftime.
Prediction: Seahawks 35, Rams 17
Mike Dietrich [@dvond]
Y'all know I do not have much good to say about this season. This franchise as a whole is going backwards after 3 years of Snisher. It looks like they will be a whopping four games better than Spags was in his last year, despite more high draft picks than anyone else in the NFL and turning over the roster with their vision. This really could not have gone much worse in my opinion -- awful preparation, game day coaching, and lack of control of his players. That being said I know they are all going back because there is no media or fan pressure to win. Why would Stan make a change and pay Fisher and Co. to stay home. This team finished closer to the #1 overall pick than the playoffs. The Seahawks are peaking and ready for this week, they need home field advantage, Carroll had a plan and it has been executed beautifully. They also continue to re-sign key components of homegrown talent that has excelled while sprinkling in quality veterans every year. The Rams will play and act like they are the defending Super Bowl Champs and about to make a playoff run because Fisher let's them do it.
Prediction: Hawks 31, Rams 6
Eddie P [@iAmEddieP_]
The Rams better be ready for a 6-10 season, because there is zero chance the Rams beat the Seahawks in their crib.
The defense doesn't worry me. The offense, however, is a different story. They are an incompetent bunch. Going up against arguably the best defense won't make things easier for the Rams.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Rams 6
Charles Martel [@CharlesMartel19]
It is near impossible to see the Rams coming out of this one with a 'W'. As much as I want that...
Here's the thing though- every single time this year the Rams do exactly the opposite of what we expect. Denver? Dominated them. Giants? Got killed. Arizona? Kansas City? Seattle? San Fransisco? Minnesota? Just all over the place. No rhyme or reason to it all...utter and complete madness.
What I can't see happening in this game, is the Rams offense getting anywhere. I can see the defense stepping up, despite their dismal showing last week vs the Giants, but all in all, the offense has accomplished nothing in eons. If and only if the offense can sustain drives, do the Rams have a chance in this one.
Since they are sure to lose, I pick them to win.
Prediction: Rams 14, Seahawks 13
Billiken13
Sadly, the Rams seem to be a lock for a 6-10 season which means regression from years past. Instead of the expected leap forward, it seems they've taken a step back.
The Rams haven't won in Seattle in, as stated, many, many years. How could that possibly change now? Earlier in the season, in the Rams' home, the Rams pulled out all the stops and barely overcame the Seahawks mightily talented team. It took a special teams effort to be remembered to get the job done. Granted, seeing as it's happened once, it could happen again, right?
Essentially, it isn't IMPOSSIBLE for the Rams to win... but nothing is pointing that direction. After a loss to the Giants, is it reasonable to expect a win in a meaningless game against the former Super Bowl Champ who is currently on a tear?
Prediction: Seahawks 31, Rams 13
Frank "Dubs" Dobozy [@Bozy1313]
The Seattle Seahawks are fighting to win the NFC West and gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Seahawks are riding a 5 game winning streak, and are playing at home this weekend, where they're sporting a 6-1 record this season. Seattle's defense has thoroughly dominated opponents during the winning streak, allowing only 33 points combined in the 5 games. The Rams are 14-point underdogs heading into the weekend. They'll make this game close, but the offense won't put enough points on the board to win.
Prediction: Seahawks 19, Rams 13
3k [@3k_]
Will the frock I wept in