setting up the Seattle game

Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks Week 11 Preview: Can Rams Spoil Seattle’s Season?

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/los-angeles-rams-seattle-seahawks-week-11-preview

In Week 1, the Los Angeles Rams put the football world on notice, dismantling the Seattle Seahawks 31-13.

Seattle, coming off of a season where the offense exploded into its post-Russell Wilson era, was silenced in the second half. Los Angeles, despite meager projections coming into the season, found itself 1-0 with a divisional win on the road.

Since then, things have mostly gone back to the consensus preseason expectations. The Rams have lost three straight and four of their last five contests, beleaguered by offensive injuries and defensive inexperience. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are fighting for a spot atop the NFC West, but have shown some warts.

At 3-6, Los Angeles’ season could be over with basically any additional loss. But that doesn’t mean the Rams can’t make an impact on the NFC playoff picture.

Can they pull off another upset?

For starters, Seattle is on the road on Sunday. Los Angeles has won just a single game at SoFi Stadium, but the Rams will welcome the advantage that comes with playing on their home turf, even if they haven’t cashed in on it this season.

Most importantly, Los Angeles is expected to have quarterback Matthew Stafford back under center. A thumb injury forced him out of Week 8’s action against the Dallas Cowboys and he missed Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, a 20-3 loss.

With Stafford back and a bye week giving head coach Sean McVay time to make some badly needed adjustments, Los Angeles could very well retain its early-season potency.

They won’t hold Seattle to 12 yards in the second half again, meaning it will be on Stafford to come back with a bang. Against a Seahawks defense that has allowed more than 27 points per game in the last three weeks, the opportunities should be present for the Rams to keep this one close. The minuscule spread seems to agree.

A Rams upset could send Seattle into a tailspin, with perhaps the league’s hardest schedule down the stretch. It’s on McVay and the offense to make their rival’s playoff hopes that much cloudier.