LA Rams opponent scouting report: Seattle Seahawks (again!)

Having already played back on October 7^th, this is our second Seattle Seahawks scouting report of the month, so let’s look at what has transpired since the Rams narrow victory in the Pacific Northwest a month ago.

With the San Francisco 49ers crippled by injuries and the Arizona Cardinals developing a rookie quarterback, the Seahawks have emerged as the clear number two team in the NFC West this season, with an outside chance to challenge for a Wildcard spot in the playoffs.

After replacing offensive line coach Tom Cable with Mike Solari, and bringing in guards D.J Fluker and J.R Sweezy, Seattle’s offensive line has been an improved unit this season, and has helped establish one of the league’s most effective ground attacks. With three capable running backs in Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and Rashaad Penny, the Seahawks can gash a defense with fresh legs throughout a game. Last time the Seahawks met the Rams, they were able to roll to a season high 190 yards. That stat clearly didn’t sit well with Aaron Donald and the gang, and neither did some of right guard DJ Fluker’s post game brags about physicality, so it’ll be interesting to see how this week’s game shakes out. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, they will likely be without the services of Chris Carson, who has clearly been their most most dominant back so far.

In the team’s first matchup, Seattle relied heavily on their running backs, but also had some big play success against cornerback Marcus Peters. Fresh off another frustrating outing in New Orleans against Michael Thomas, Marcus Peters will be looking for redemption; but will that mean more gambling and looking for picks or playing a more conservative careful game? Keep an eye on Peters this week.

The Rams offense was able to move the ball at will against Seattle a month ago, and that was with Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks missing much of the game in concussion protocol. If Rams’ left tackle Andrew Whitworth can control his matchup with defensive end Frank Clark, it will greatly help Jared Goff work against a pretty competent Seattle secondary.

In the first game the Seahawks missed linebacker K.J. Wright, but he should be good to go this Sunday. The Seahawks are also hoping Bradley McDougald can play despite a banged up knee, especially since Earl Thomas is out for the remainder of the season.

Despite the Rams success against them, overall the Seahawks defense has held up pretty well this season, and have talent at all three levels. Linebackers Bobby Wagner, KJ Wright, and Barkevious Mingo can make plenty of plays in front of a good pair of safeties in Tedric Thompson and Bradley McDougald. Up front the Seahawks aren’t loaded with household names like the Rams, but they are a fairly deep unit that features ends Frank Clark, and Quinton Jefferson sandwiching tackles Jaren Reed and Shamar Stephen.

The Seashawks are currently fifth in points allowed and sixth in passing yards allowed. Their run defense is significantly worse than what the Saints presented a week ago, so Sunday might be a good day for the Rams’ Todd Gurley.

And there’s your Week 10 scouting report that failed to mention one great and frustrating equalizer that could help the Seahawks put some scare into the Coliseum crowd on Sunday. His name is Russell Wilson, he plays quarterback, and he’s very good at football.

Might wanna keep an eye on him.