Seahawks vs. Rams
Time : 1 PM ET
Spread: SEA -7
M/L: SEA -320; STL +260
Total: 43.5
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
The defending champion Seattle Seahawks are a ho-hum 3-2 on the season and 2nd place in the NFC West. Last week, Seattle fell 30-23 to the Dallas Cowboys, after having won its prior two matchups against Denver and Washington. This week, the Seahawks visit the Saint Louis Rams in a game NFL oddsmakers are setting the line 7-points in favor of Seattle.
QB Russell Wilson has thrown for 67 percent completion ratio or higher, except in last week’s loss to the Cowboys when he threw just 14-of-28 with no TDs and an interception. He’s thrown two TDs in each of the Seahawks first four games, and in the 27-17 win over Washington he posted a 127.3 passer rating while throwing for 201 yards in the game. His average pass yardage is 7.04 yards per reception, but he’s fumbled five times this season.
Due to this, the Seahawks rank second-to-last in the NFL in passing yardage while sending out the 2nd best rush offense in the league, averaging 149.8 yards per game on the ground. Seattle has benefitted from both RB Marshawn Lynch and Wilson’s rushing from the slot. Wilson is second on the team in rushing yardage with 221 yards on the season and two TDs.
Lynch is averaging 4.6 yards per carry but has already rushed 79 times this season for three TDs and has not fumbled the ball even once. WR Percy Harvin has done well rushing too, managing 8.4 yards per carry with a TD this season. Four Seahawks have caught for 100 yards or more, but the quartet has managed just four TDs, three of which were scored by dual-threat Lynch, who has caught 14 passes on the year.
The Saint Louis Rams, though, are just 1-4 on the young season and have not won since the team’s 19-17 victory over Tampa Bay in Week 2. Consecutive losses to the Cowboys, Eagles and 49ers have caused the Rams to fall to 4th in its division. The offense has been good, as the Rams rank 7th in the NFL in passing yardage and 18th in rushing.
It’s the rush defense that has spoiled it for Saint Louis, having allowed 139.8 yards per game.
QB Austin Davis has thrown 63.8 percent for completion while amassing 1,365 yards on the year, an average of 255 per game. He’s thrown seven TDs to four INTs, and has a QB rating of 89.6. He has seven passing targets with 100 yards or more, paced by Brian Quick’s 332 yards and three TDs. Quick has also helped the Rams to 16 first downs.
WR Jared Cook has been nearly as good with 295 yards, but he has yet to score a TD on the year. Ohio State rookie Kenny Britt has made a successful transition to WR after having backed up QB Braxton Miller as a Buckeye. Britt is No. 3 on the team in receiving yardage and averages a team-high 16.1 yards per reception.
