Notable injury designations, what’s at stake, matchup to watch, fantasy sleeper and a prediction for Sunday’s NFC West showdown at SoFi Stadium
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2)/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 226, 386
Line: Seahawks by 1.5
Notable injury designations:
Seahawks: QUESTIONABLE: S Jamal Adams (knee), CB Tre Brown (toe/foot),WR Tyler Lockett (hamstring), T Abraham Lucas (knee)
Rams: QUESTIONABLE: DB Cobie Durant (shoulder)
What’s at stake? The Rams are looking to end a three-game skid and stop the surging Seahawks, who have won three of their last four games. A win against a divisional opponent would boost the Rams’ chances of reaching the postseason, while a loss would put them in a late-season hole that might prove too steep to climb.
Who’s better? Based on the standings, the Seahawks are the better team, but they have dealt with inconsistencies along the way. They’ve won several close games, but their losses have mostly been in blowouts. Despite dealing with injuries to key players, the Rams have kept most games close, especially against tough opponents like the 49ers and Eagles.
Matchup to watch: This will be a colossal clash of like-minded and highly respected coaches. Seahawks players go to battle for Pete Carroll and Rams players do the same for Sean McVay, who spoke highly of Carroll this week in practice and the latter has expressed his admiration of McVay in the past. Since taking over coaching duties with the Rams in 2017, McVay is 8-5 against Carroll’s Seahawks in the regular season and 1-0 in the playoffs.
Rams win if: They can get through this game unscathed. Matthew Stafford, Rob Havenstein, Bobby Brown and Ernest Jones all return to action, giving the Rams much-needed firepower on both sides of the ball. As long as Stafford makes it through without his thumb giving him much trouble, he should be able to distribute the ball effectively to playmakers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Fantasy sleeper: Tight end Tyler Higbee has been quiet as of late and saw just one target in the last game against Green Bay. He’s yet to surpass more than five receptions and hasn’t scored a touchdown this season. This could be the week Higbee erupts and finds the end zone against Seattle, which has been susceptible against tight ends.
Prediction: Rams 31, Seahawks 24
Beat reporter’s record: 5-4 for the season; 3-5 against the spread.
