The NFL’s final regular season line of NFL matchups kicks off with a critical NFC matchup, with one team needing a win to make the postseason.
The Los Angeles Rams will visit Seattle to face the Seahawks in an NFC West battle in Week 18 with hopes of spoiling the home team’s playoff aspirations. The Rams are 5-11 and have the most losses ever in a season by a defending Super Bowl winner.
Seattle rebounded from a three-game losing streak with a win last week. The Rams vs Seahawks prediction this week says they can make the postseason with a win and a little help from the Detroit Lions, who must beat or tie the Green Bay Packers for the Seahawks to advance to the playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks Odds
Best NFL Picks Week 18
In the best NFL picks this week, the Seahawks may have recovered too late from their most recent losing streak to secure the last playoff spot in the NFC. The Rams vs Seahawks prediction is that Seattle is favored in this matchup. They proved in last week’s win against the Jets that they’re capable of making some noise in the playoffs.
A win by Seattle could hurt their chances, as it would eliminate the Lions from the postseason and possibly lessen their motivation to win against the Packers.
The Rams will just be happy to get this season over. They have a 2-8 record in their last ten games, averaging only 18.2 points per game on offense.
L.A. is 2-2 since Baker Mayfield took over as quarterback, including the 51-14 destruction of the Denver Broncos two weeks ago. However, with the number of injuries this team has suffered, the Rams vs Seahawks prediction indicates that it’s not likely they’ll be competitive in this game on the road against Seattle.
Matchup Information
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Location of the game: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Time: Sunday, 8th January, 1:25 PM PST
Where to watch: FOX, NFL Plus
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams Analysis
Offense: Since Mayfield has been under center for the Rams, they have improved to 22.5 points per game but are 23rd overall with 18.2 points per contest. They have many players on the NFL injury report and are averaging less than 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing for the season.
Mayfield threw for just 132 yards and didn’t have a touchdown against the Chargers last week. This week’s Rams vs Seahawks prediction doesn’t think he’ll improve much against Seattle this week, although the NFL odds could change.
Defense: The Rams have also been banged up on the defensive side of the ball and have been without All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald for almost two months.
In the NFL team stats, they give up 22.8 points per game this season and allow just 109.9 yards per game on the ground and 227.3 yards through the air. This has routinely altered the Los Angeles Rams odds with sportsbooks.
Seattle Seahawks Analysis
Offense: Looking at the Seattle Seahawks standings, they are in the top ten in the league with 24.3 points per game. Geno Smith is throwing for over 4,000 yards and enjoying his best season as a pro.
Running back Kenneth Walker III is a Rookie of the Year candidate and is approaching 1,000 yards rushing, but he is questionable for this game with an ankle injury.
Defense: In the NFL standings, Seattle has underperformed on defense and is 24th in the league, giving up 24.1 points per game. They only give up 217 yards through the air each week but are 29th against the run averaging 150.5 yards per game.
However, in last week’s win against the New York Jets, the secondary gave up 240 yards and came up with two interceptions against Mike White. This week’s Rams vs Seahawks prediction thinks the secondary will also perform well against the L.A. in this matchup on the NFL schedule.
NFL Stats and Standings
Los Angeles Rams
- Record: 5-11
- Standing: 3rd in NFC West Division
- Offensive ranking: 31st
- Defensive ranking: 17th
Seattle Seahawks
- Record: 8-8
- Standing: 2nd in NFC West Division
- Offensive ranking: 15th
- Defensive ranking: 27th
Most Remarkable Players for this Matchup
- Seattle: Per the NFL player stats, Geno Smith, QB, has 4,069 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 102.9 passer rating.
- Seattle: Kenneth Walker III, RB, 936 yards, nine touchdowns, 4.7 average yards per carry.
- Los Angeles: Bobby Wagner, LB, 133 tackles, six sacks, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions.
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