Fans of the Los Angeles Rams get a much-needed week off, but life goes on in the NFC West. Tonight, L.A. dread-rival San Francisco 49ers travel due north to face off with the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff from Lumen Field is set for 5:15 p.m. PST and will be streamed by Amazon Prime Video. SiriusXM channel 88, will have the national call on radio.
Who should Rams fans root for?
While Rule 1 of any self-respecting Rams fan should be to root against ‘Frisco, could there be any advantage to the Red and Gold winning? The Seahawks currently lead the NFC West at 3-2, while the “Niners are tied at 2-3 with the Arizona Cardinals, The Rams bring up the rear at 1-4.
Looking forward, A Seattle victory would put them up three games in the win column with two upcoming games against L.A.. Even if the Rams can figure a way to right the ship after the bye, winning both those games is an imperative.
A loss and the division tightens up that much more. Analysts project the Seahawks to have the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL and keeping them behind the eight ball until the Rams get their shot at them is a good thing.
Injuries will have their say in a short week
Seattle has ruled three players out, starting cornerback Riq Woolen, along with backup defensive linemen Uchenna Nwosu and Byron Murphy. Woolen (ankle) is the Seahawks stickiest cover man, allowing a puny 27.3 completion percentage and a 1.7 QB rating (90.0 is about average). Murphy (hamstring) absence thins out the interior rotation. Nwosu (thigh) is headed to the Injured Reserve List(IR).
Three starters, free safety Julian Love and edge players Boye Mafe and Derrick Hall are questionable. Love (hamstring) is a game time decision. He’s second on the Seahawks in tackles and has an interception, two broken passes and two tackles for loss. Mafe and Hall are both expected to available. Mafe has missed the previous two games with a bad knee and has logged three sacks, 11 pressures, and six quarterback hits. Although a rotational player to start his caree, the second-year Hall stepped in for Mafe and leads the ‘Hawks with five sacks and 11 pressures.
Already missing a handful of preseason penciled-in starters, the 49ers will be without four more two full-time and two part-time. Rookie kicker Jake Moody (high ankle sprain) and 2023 All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) will do stints on the IR.and linebacker Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles (calf) started the season’s first two games before falling out of favor. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliot has three starts, but is more of a rotational player.
The “Niners secondary could be even thinner. Starting corner Charvarius Ward has a bruised knee and is questionable. Little-used wide receiver Chris Conley (oblique) gets the same designation.
Seahawk win = Rams win
It won’t be easy for the Seahawks, the “Niners have knocked them off five straight, outscoring them 148-72. Seattle’s defense is ranked towards the lower end of mid-pack and their strength, defending the pass, has it best component out. But this is not the 49ers defense of the past, they are a mid-pack unit and will have secondary injury problems of their own.
With all things considered equal, refer to Rule 1. Go Seahawks, in a shootout.
Current betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
Line: SF 49ers -3.5 -115 / SEA Seahawks +3.5 -105
Over/under total: 48.5 -110
Money line: SF 49ers -205 / SEA Seahawks +172
Read Next
Meticulous’ Hawk on injury struggles, facing change, advice to younger self
For More Stories Like This, Please Check Our Home Page
Be the first to comment