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October 16, 2014 at 9:44 am #9840
RamBillParticipantRams-Seahawks: Matchup breakdown
By Nick Wagonerhttp://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12714/rams-seahawks-matchup-breakdown-2
EARTH CITY, Mo. — A look at three individual matchups to keep an eye on when the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks meet at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
Rams linebackers James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree and Jo-Lonn Dunbar vs. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch
As always when you play the Seahawks, it all starts with slowing down Lynch first and worrying about the rest later. As Lynch goes, so go the Seahawks. In five games this season, Seattle is 3-0 when Lynch gains at least 100 yards from scrimmage and 0-2 when he doesn’t. That is not a coincidence. There is also a direct correlation to time of possession involving the run game and whether the Seahawks win or lose. In their two losses, opponents have had the ball for an average of 39 minutes and 57 seconds.
In eight games against the Rams, Lynch has rushed for 758 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.26 yards per carry. Those aren’t terrible numbers for the Rams, but Lynch has had 97 or more rushing yards in four of the past five meetings with the Rams. St. Louis showed signs of life defending the run against San Francisco’s power rushing offense last week, and will need to duplicate that effort against Seattle.
Even better, the Rams could find a way to slow down Lynch like they did in their 2013 meeting in St. Louis when he had just eight carries for 23 yards.
Laurinaitis and Co. were more aggressive against the 49ers, and the Rams willingly sold out to stop the run in that game. Expect more of the same this week, but an even more difficult challenge against a Seattle run game that is looking to get back to basics after last week’s loss.
Rams wide receivers vs. Seahawks cornerbacks not named Richard Sherman
The Seahawks are banged up in the secondary, and cornerback Byron Maxwell’s status for this week remains unresolved because of a calf injury. Fellow cornerback Tharold Simon could get back in the mix as he works back from a knee surgery. Either way, the Seahawks’ pass defense hasn’t been what we’ve come to expect from them in recent seasons. Sherman is still one of the top cornerbacks in the league, but the lack of a consistent pass rush has allowed teams to have success throwing against Seattle.
Through five games, the Seahawks rank 19th in passing yards allowed per game (252.5) and 24th in opponent QBR (70). The Rams have had more success throwing the ball than many thought, though quarterback Austin Davis’ QBR has dropped in each of his successive starts. Receiver Brian Quick was kept in check last week by San Francisco and faces a tough task if Sherman lines up opposite him Sunday. But if that’s the case, it should create opportunities for players like Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin to do some damage. It’s also worth keeping an eye on tight end Jared Cook, who could get some favorable matchups as Seattle shuffles its lineup at linebacker because of injuries.
Rams defensive end William Hayes vs. Seahawks right tackle Justin Britt
When asked this week about rookie tackle Britt, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson said he believes Britt will become a superstar one day, noting Britt’s work ethic and understanding of the game. Pressed into action pretty much right away, Britt has been a solid performer for Seattle. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed one sack and eight quarterback hurries but has offered positive production in the run game.
Hayes has been tasked with being the primary replacement for injured starter Chris Long. After knocking off some rust in the first four weeks, Hayes had his best game of the season last week against San Francisco. He didn’t get home for any sacks (like the rest of his teammates) but he managed a quarterback hit, six quarterback hurries and was stout in the run game.
The Rams will take pass-rush production from anyone on their defensive line, and they have had that against Seattle in the past four meetings. Hayes would seem best positioned to finally get the pass rush on track while Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald garner most of the attention from opposing blocking schemes. This should be a physical matchup within a physical game, but could be one that has a major impact on the outcome.
October 16, 2014 at 9:44 am #9763RamBillParticipantCan the Rams pull the upset versus Seattle? ESPN’s NFL Columnist Mike Sando tells The Fast Lane and gives a report on the Rams performance versus San Fran on Monday Night Football.
http://www.rams-news.com/can-the-rams-pull-the-upset-versus-seattle-radio-interview/
October 16, 2014 at 4:50 pm #9767RamBillParticipantESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando delivers stats to help you make a pick for Seattle at St. Louis. numberFIRE has the Seahawks winning by 7.5 points. Seattle has held the Rams to 20 or fewer points 14 times in a row. The record is 15 times.
http://www.rams-news.com/espns-mike-sandos-inside-edge-seahawks-rams-video/
October 17, 2014 at 6:17 pm #9825October 18, 2014 at 2:58 am #9832RamBillParticipantDavis braces for Legion of Boom
• By Jim ThomasOn the Monopoly board of NFL defenses, young Austin Davis is in the high-rent district. We’re talking Park Place and Boardwalk.
His first exposure to the NFC West started Monday with San Francisco’s second-ranked defense. Six days later, it will be Seattle and its ninth-ranked defense Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“What else could you really ask for?” Davis said. “As a competitor, you want to go against the best to see how you stack up. I think for this offense, that’s the way we need to look at it. It’s a great challenge and we’ve continually progressed. I think we’re gonna begin to see some results before long.”
As for Seattle, it starts with its vaunted secondary, aka the Legion of Boom. Despite some offseason personnel losses and some injury issues for Seattle this season, Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said: “They’re still booming. They sure are.”
“It’s just a really good group,” Davis said. “They come up and press your receivers, kind of play like ‘man’ on the outside. The linebackers are athletic and fast and move. D-line’s really the same way.”
For two quarters Monday against San Francisco, the results were almost shocking. Davis, making just his fourth NFL start at quarterback, put up two first-quarter touchdowns. The second came on a beautiful play-fake that sucked in basically the entire 49ers defense, leaving tight end Lance Kendricks wide open for a 22-yard touchdown catch.
There may have been more points in the second quarter were it not for an incorrect offensive pass interference call against tight end Jared Cook. The league doesn’t admit officiating mistakes all that often, but on this one vice president of officiating Dean Blandino said referee Craig Wrolstad’s crew blew the call.
So instead of having a first down at the San Francisco 25, the Rams got backed up to their 44 and didn’t score.
As for Davis’ second half? Well, not so impressive. He completed just 10 of 28 throws for 99 yards and had an interception returned for a touchdown that accounted for San Francisco’s final seven points.
As has been the case since Davis replaced an injured Shaun Hill at halftime of the season opener against Minnesota, Davis wasn’t shy about pointing out his flaws against the 49ers.
“I’ve got to do a better job of staying in the pocket and trying to find completions,” Davis said. “They were getting a little (pass-rush) push, but they weren’t always getting free.”
The idea is to avoid looking at the pass rush, and keep your eyes on the receivers. It’s something Rams coaches said was one of the major improvements Davis made this offseason and preseason in his game. But he reverted to some bad habits in the second half Monday.
And there was one other thing: “I probably forced a few deep balls when I had some completions underneath,” Davis said. “We got down and I probably forced a few things.”
Davis has quickly shown he isn’t shy about taking deep shots, but he developed too much of a “Mad Bomber” persona in the second half against San Francisco, sometimes flinging deep balls wildly off target.
On the Rams’ first possession of the second quarter, Davis overthrew Stedman Bailey on a deep ball. He had Benny Cunningham and Cook open underneath — one to Davis’ left and one to his right.
Five plays later, a sack for a 1-yard loss could’ve been avoided had Davis chosen to throw underneath.
In the second half, there were at least five times Davis had open receivers underneath but didn’t throw to them. On four of those occasions the result was an incomplete deep pass. On the other, he got sacked.
“It’s something where he’s got to trust what he sees,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s had some success obviously throwing the ball down the field. We always say, ‘A shot called is not (always) a shot taken.’ I think sometimes it can be frustration — you want to make something happen.”
Schottenheimer says some of that patience will come with experience. But as coach Jeff Fisher points out, it’s not like the Rams want to take away Davis’ aggressiveness, either.
“When you get an opportunity to put the ball down the field, you need to do it,” Fisher said. “And he’s done that. Obviously, you saw what he did against Philadelphia (375 passing yards, three touchdowns). So that’s his deal.
“Now, if they take things away and he’s got to go underneath, he’ll go underneath. But putting it up and giving those guys a chance to make a play, that’s part of playing the position.”
With Seattle, the size of many of their defensive backs — particularly Richard Sherman — could make it more difficult for Rams “bigs” Brian Quick and Kenny Britt to win jump balls.
There’s another factor at play here, namely the range of Seattle free safety Earl Thomas. Receivers may look open when Davis releases the ball Sunday, but Thomas has the speed to close quickly, something that could be deceptive for an inexperienced quarterback.
“Absolutely,” Schottenheimer said. “He knows for a fact when we’re throwing anything, he’s got to find Earl. He’s got to see things well in this game … and find the open guy.”
October 18, 2014 at 8:26 am #9837
sdramParticipantOctober 17, 2014 5:12 pm
Seahawks list lengthy injury report for Week 7 against St. Louis
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.comThe Seahawks will be without the services of defensive tackle Jordan Hill (ankle), cornerback Byron Maxwell (calf), linebacker Bobby Wagner (toe), defensive end Cassius Marsh (foot), center Max Unger (foot) and tight end Zach Miller (ankle) in Week 7 at St. Louis. All six players were ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Tight end Luke Willson (groin) was listed as questionable and is expected to be a game-time decision, coach Pete Carroll said.
Meanwhile, running back Marshawn Lynch (not injury related), offensive tackle Alvin Bailey (oblique), cornerback Tharold Simon (knee), defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (not injury related) and defensive end Michael Bennett (not injury related) were all ruled probable against the Rams.
October 18, 2014 at 9:49 am #9841RamBillParticipantPete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the NFL Week 7 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams. The Rams have given up 99 points in the last 3 weeks. The Rams have Davis throwing 40+ times a game and Davis completion percentage has gone down 4 weeks in a row. Both Prisco and Kirwan pick Seattle by about a TD. (3:07)
http://www.rams-news.com/cbs-sports-priscokirwans-seahawks-at-rams-preview-video/
October 18, 2014 at 9:53 am #9842RamBillParticipantWatch defensive coordinator Gregg Williams talk with the media on Friday after practice.
October 18, 2014 at 6:12 pm #9860RamBillParticipantJoin Steve Savard, D’Marco Farr, and Will Witherspoon as they break down the keys to victory for the Rams vs. the Seahawks. Some of the keys are: Play with confidence, get some 3 and outs, limit turnovers, stop the run, don’t get away from running the ball.
http://www.rams-news.com/rams-keys-to-victory-vs-seahawks-video/
October 19, 2014 at 2:04 am #9903RamBillParticipantRams-Seahawks: 7 for Sunday
• By Jim ThomasThe Seahawks are 2-9 in games in which RB Marshawn Lynch has 10 carries or fewer. After carrying only 10 times in last week’s 30-23 loss to Dallas, the talk all week in Seattle has been about getting the ball to Lynch early and often. “This is a great running back,” Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. “Wherever he’s been — at the college level, at the pro level — he’s done a great job on extending runs, and he’s a powerful man. So we’re gonna have to make sure that we lock down the run game.”
The Rams are coming off easily their best performance of the season on run defense, limiting Frank Gore to 38 yards and 2.4 yards per carry. As a team, the 49ers had 89 yards and averaged 3.0 yards per carry. Lynch is shifty as well as physical. He can set up would-be tacklers and get them off-balance, leading to missed tackles.
NO HARVIN
Given their troubles with Minnesota’s Cordarrelle Patterson on jet sweeps and gadget plays in their season opener, the Rams certainly aren’t complaining about Seattle’s trade Friday sending WR/return man Percy Harvin to the Jets. With talented pass-catching TE Zach Miller out because of an ankle injury, Seattle’s receiving options are somewhat limited without Harvin. WRs Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse are underrated targets, but have been quiet so far. That could change Sunday.
RUSHING RUSSELL
For the second time in six days, the Rams face a running, scrambling QB. They did a pretty good job keeping San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick in the pocket, although he did have runs of 23 and 10 yards. Seattle’s Russell Wilson is a different kind of runner — not as fast, but more elusive. Again, the goal is to keep the quarterback in the pocket. Although he was held in check on the ground by Dallas, Wilson has rushed for 221 yards and 7.1 yards per carry this season.
ROBINSON’s Second START
In terms of pass protection and picking up stunts and blitzes, Rams LG Greg Robinson passed his first NFL test with flying colors against San Francisco. But the 49ers have a basic approach with their front seven; most of their stunting and looping actually came on the right side, where they had some success testing RG Rodger Saffold and RT Joe Barksdale. Seattle runs more “games” up front, and they’ll surely throw some stuff at Robinson trying to catch him off-guard.
LEGION OF BOOM
The Rams have a different look for Seattle’s heralded secondary in big WRs Brian Quick and Kenny Britt as the starters. Quick (6 feet 3, 218 pounds) has a much more significant role in the offense this season and has been productive. Britt (6-3, 223) is adept at posting up and grabbing the contested ball. Starting CB Byron Maxwell (calf) has been ruled out, but no one’s feeling sorry for the Seahawks because Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor still are around.
LATE & EARLY SCORES
During their three-game losing streak, the Rams can’t seem to get into the locker room without giving up a big play near the end of the half, or give up a score early in the second half. It’s something the team talked about this week, specifically the defense, and needs to clean up. The Cowboys, Eagles, and 49ers combined for three TDs and a field goal in the final 2:07 of first halves vs. the Rams. They each scored a TD vs. the Rams on their first possession of second half.
PUNT PROTECTION
The Rams had a punt blocked for a touchdown against Philadelphia, and nearly had one blocked Monday against San Francisco. Rookie S Jimmie Ward got close enough to Rams P Johnny Hekker that the result was a meager 13-yard punt in the second quarter. The 49ers took over on the Rams’ 43 and ended up with a field goal for their first points of the game. Seattle blocked a punt for a TD last week vs. Dallas and undoubtedly will test the Rams’ punt protection.
October 19, 2014 at 10:12 am #9905RamBillParticipantGet pumped up for the divisional matchup against the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks!
http://www.rams-news.com/game-trailer-rams-vs-seahawks-video/
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