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7 things to watch: Rams at Seahawks
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_db245555-3e77-5182-b4c9-844e66224a66.html
CONTAINING LYNCH IS KEY
The formula has remained the same almost since the trade in 2010 that brought him to Seattle: In order to have a chance against the Seahawks, you better contain running back Marshawn Lynch. He ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards this season with 1,246. He trails only Dallas’ DeMarco Murray (1,745) and Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell (1,341). He leads the league in touchdowns with 16, a career best. “Obviously, he’s very hard to get down,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s quite a player.” The Rams held Lynch to just 2.9 yards per carry and 53 yards when the teams met Oct. 19 in St. Louis, which was a 28-26 Rams victory. Since then, Lynch has averaged 92 yards a game and scored 10 of those 16 TDs. The Rams have been far from stellar against the run the past two weeks, yielding a total of 271 yards to lesser runners in losses to Arizona and the New York Giants.
DEFENDING WILSON
In quarterback Russell Wilson’s five starts against them, the Rams have had success getting him to the ground — they’ve sacked him 22 times. Nonetheless, Wilson has been very successful against them, with a 115.5 passer rating in the last four meetings. That’s partly because he’s taking care of the football. Since being intercepted three times in his first contest vs. the Rams in 2012, Wilson has gone 96 passes without an interception over the next four meetings.
NOT PEDESTRIAN
Seattle’s receiving unit dubbed itself “The Pedestrians” last season, making light of critics. But even after losing Golden Taint to Detroit, these guys are getting it done. Speedy Doug Baldwin, who had a 49-yard catch against the Rams in October, is having a career year (63 catches for 782 yards). Out of the backfield, Lynch has career highs for reception yards (331) and touchdown catches (four). Jermaine Kearse, who also was having a career year, is out with a hamstring injury.
SECONDARY CONCERNS
The Rams can’t afford to take any wide receiver lightly, not after last week’s performance against the Giants — a major meltdown of coverage breakdowns and silly penalties. The most consistent Rams cornerback this season, rookie E.J. Gaines, is doubtful because of a concussion. As a result, rookie Lamarcus Joyner is expected to have a lot of work, and possibly rookie Marcus Roberson as well. Can Trumaine Johnson return to form after a brutal day against the Giants?
LEGION OF BOOM
It’s not as dominating by the numbers. For example, the Seattle defense has a modest 11 interceptions this season, compared to 28 in 2013. But the “Legion of Boom,” also known as the Seattle secondary, is still getting it done. Cornerback Richard Sherman, as well as safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, all were picked again for the Pro Bowl. Sherman has a league-leading 24 interceptions since the start of 2011, including four this season. Rams quarterback Shaun Hill needs to take care of the football.
CAREER REVIVAL
Less than a year ago, Kenny Britt’s future job prospects looked tenuous at best. But re-joining his former Tennessee coach — Jeff Fisher — has put Britt’s career back on track. The Rams relied on him more after Brian Quick’s season-ending shoulder injury in Game 7, against Kansas City. He has responded with 44 catches for 710 yards. With 66 receiving yards and just two catches against Seattle, Britt would establish career highs in both catches and yards.
FOOL ME ONCE...
In 2012, the Rams fooled Seattle and coach Pete Carroll with a fake field goal that turned into a TD pass from holder Johnny Hekker to wideout Danny Amendola. This October, the Rams converted a key fourth down on a fake punt and got a 90-yard punt return for a score by Stedman Bailey on a play in which Tavon Austin snookered the Seahawks as a decoy. The Seahawks vow to be ready for anything this time. “Obviously, we’re going to be tuned into it,” Carroll said.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_db245555-3e77-5182-b4c9-844e66224a66.html
CONTAINING LYNCH IS KEY
The formula has remained the same almost since the trade in 2010 that brought him to Seattle: In order to have a chance against the Seahawks, you better contain running back Marshawn Lynch. He ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards this season with 1,246. He trails only Dallas’ DeMarco Murray (1,745) and Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell (1,341). He leads the league in touchdowns with 16, a career best. “Obviously, he’s very hard to get down,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s quite a player.” The Rams held Lynch to just 2.9 yards per carry and 53 yards when the teams met Oct. 19 in St. Louis, which was a 28-26 Rams victory. Since then, Lynch has averaged 92 yards a game and scored 10 of those 16 TDs. The Rams have been far from stellar against the run the past two weeks, yielding a total of 271 yards to lesser runners in losses to Arizona and the New York Giants.
DEFENDING WILSON
In quarterback Russell Wilson’s five starts against them, the Rams have had success getting him to the ground — they’ve sacked him 22 times. Nonetheless, Wilson has been very successful against them, with a 115.5 passer rating in the last four meetings. That’s partly because he’s taking care of the football. Since being intercepted three times in his first contest vs. the Rams in 2012, Wilson has gone 96 passes without an interception over the next four meetings.
NOT PEDESTRIAN
Seattle’s receiving unit dubbed itself “The Pedestrians” last season, making light of critics. But even after losing Golden Taint to Detroit, these guys are getting it done. Speedy Doug Baldwin, who had a 49-yard catch against the Rams in October, is having a career year (63 catches for 782 yards). Out of the backfield, Lynch has career highs for reception yards (331) and touchdown catches (four). Jermaine Kearse, who also was having a career year, is out with a hamstring injury.
SECONDARY CONCERNS
The Rams can’t afford to take any wide receiver lightly, not after last week’s performance against the Giants — a major meltdown of coverage breakdowns and silly penalties. The most consistent Rams cornerback this season, rookie E.J. Gaines, is doubtful because of a concussion. As a result, rookie Lamarcus Joyner is expected to have a lot of work, and possibly rookie Marcus Roberson as well. Can Trumaine Johnson return to form after a brutal day against the Giants?
LEGION OF BOOM
It’s not as dominating by the numbers. For example, the Seattle defense has a modest 11 interceptions this season, compared to 28 in 2013. But the “Legion of Boom,” also known as the Seattle secondary, is still getting it done. Cornerback Richard Sherman, as well as safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, all were picked again for the Pro Bowl. Sherman has a league-leading 24 interceptions since the start of 2011, including four this season. Rams quarterback Shaun Hill needs to take care of the football.
CAREER REVIVAL
Less than a year ago, Kenny Britt’s future job prospects looked tenuous at best. But re-joining his former Tennessee coach — Jeff Fisher — has put Britt’s career back on track. The Rams relied on him more after Brian Quick’s season-ending shoulder injury in Game 7, against Kansas City. He has responded with 44 catches for 710 yards. With 66 receiving yards and just two catches against Seattle, Britt would establish career highs in both catches and yards.
FOOL ME ONCE...
In 2012, the Rams fooled Seattle and coach Pete Carroll with a fake field goal that turned into a TD pass from holder Johnny Hekker to wideout Danny Amendola. This October, the Rams converted a key fourth down on a fake punt and got a 90-yard punt return for a score by Stedman Bailey on a play in which Tavon Austin snookered the Seahawks as a decoy. The Seahawks vow to be ready for anything this time. “Obviously, we’re going to be tuned into it,” Carroll said.