Seahawks-Rams: 10 observations

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-X-

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After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Seahawks-Rams matchup.

1. Key on Steven Jackson: St. Louis' Jackson has been one of the most consistent backs in the NFL the past few years and is having another Pro Bowl type of season, as he is well on his way to another 1,000-yard season. He currently is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has a total of 707 yards after nine games. The Seahawks' defense has quietly put up good numbers, limiting opponents to 106.4 yards per game on the ground and 3.6 yards per carry, fourth-best in the NFL. Seattle needs to contain Jackson and limit his yards after first contact.

2. Seattle needs to avoid mental mistakes: With 83 penalties, the Seahawks are the second-most penalized team in the NFL. When playing away from the comforts of your own home stadium, teams need to be extra careful to avoid the kind of mistakes that can extend your opponent's drives -- or kill your own. False starts have been a particular problem for Seattle's young offensive line. Look for more quick snap counts to help the offensive line avoid mistakes.

3. Get Marshawn Lynch involved early and often: The Seahawks need Lynch to control the tempo of the game with his aggressive, downhill running style. He is a workhorse ball carrier who gets stronger as the game goes on and does an excellent job of moving the chains to keep drives alive. This is going to be a battle of two of the league's best power runners and the one that manages to come up with a big game will likely provide the difference.

4. Be physical with Arizona's receivers on the perimeter: Seattle has rare size on the perimeter with cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman each being 6-foot-3. Browner and Sherman need to disrupt the Rams' receivers on their release and try to throw off the timing between quarterback and receivers in order to give their pass rush time to pressure the pocket.

5. Matchup to watch: Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch vs. St Louis LB James Laurinaitis: Lynch is the backbone of Seattle's offense. When he is running strong it takes a lot of pressure off QB Tarvaris Jackson and the passing game. He brings a great combination of speed and power that can make a defense pay for a single missed tackle. Laurinaitis is St. Louis' leading tackler and needs to help keep Lynch under wraps and Seattle's ground game contained.

6. Pound the rock: The Rams have run the ball 30 or more times in three games this year, two of which were wins and the third was an overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. They are a lot more effective when they can run the ball well. Jackson carries most of the load but the Rams have Cadillac Williams, who is a quality runner in his own right. While Seattle's run defense has been a strong point this year, the Rams will want to keep the Seahawks' defense honest with an effective ground game.

7. Challenge Browner: Browner leads the league in defensive pass interference penalties. He is a big cornerback with a physical style who relies on disrupting receivers in their routes and his ability to play the ball in the air. Unfortunately because of his size, he can struggle when matched up against quicker receivers especially on combination or double-move routes. Look for the Rams to try and isolate Browner, who often has to resort to holding and bumping to prevent receivers from getting free.

8. Win on special teams: Seattle's return game has been very productive this year with return specialist Leon Washington averaging 12.0 yards per punt return and 23.0 yards per kickoff return. The Rams' coverage units have been more effective this year, and while they have given up one punt return for a touchdown, Seattle has given up two punt return touchdowns and one on kickoff returns. If the Rams can come up with an explosive play on returns it could impact the game.

9. Keep Sam Bradford clean: Bradford is the second-most sacked quarterback (26) in the NFL and that is in spite of missing two games because of a high ankle sprain. In Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns, he was sacked only once. That is the kind of protection he needs if he is going to get through the rest of the season. Seattle has struggled to mount much of any pass rush this year, so the Rams hope to be able to give him time in the pocket with minimum protection schemes.

10. Matchup to watch: Rams RB Steven Jackson vs. Seattle LB David Hawthorne. Jackson has been on a roll as of late with totals of 159, 130 and 128 yards, respectively, in the past three games. He is averaging more than 5 yards per carry this season, can move the chains and sustain drives with his aggressive, downhill running style. Hawthorne is Seattle's leading tackler and needs to stop Jackson before the running back has a chance to get on a roll.

Prediction
Seattle 17 - St. Louis 20
 

ramsince62

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>>Prediction
Seattle 17 - St. Louis 20<<

Why do they do this week after week? Do any of these guys look at the weekly scores? This team only scores 1 TD per game, that is, assuming they score one at all.....so how do we get to 20 points? Obviously, the implication is 2 TD's and 2 FG's....but (I'm repeating myself again), we only score 1 TD a game, if that.

Oh well, maybe the Rams win 13-10. :hehe:
 

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  • #3
Not necessarily. Could mean 6 field goals and a safety. :razzed:
 

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X said:
Not necessarily. Could mean 6 field goals and a safety. :razzed:

or 10 safeties. How cool would THAT be......