Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Rams Preview (12/4/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Charts

The 6-5 Seattle Seahawks are headed to Sofi Stadium this week to take on the 3-8 Los Angeles Rams in an NFC West matchup. Both of these teams enter on losing streaks, the only difference is that Seattle still has a chance to make the playoffs if they can right the ship this week. While the playoffs are likely out of the picture for Los Angeles, a win here would keep them from a six-game losing streak. Read on for predictions, odds, picks, injuries, depth charts, and more.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams Betting Odds

The Seahawks opened as 3-point road favorites in this matchup, though this quickly moved to a more comfortable 8-point spread following Week 12 results, which included Allen Robinson suffering a season-ending injury and the Rams fifth-straight loss. If Seattle had been trending upward in the last couple of weeks, we may have seen even larger movement, but that’s not the case.

With an over/under of 41.5 points, this marks one of the lowest projected scoring totals of Week 13 games. The Seahawks are averaging an impressive 26.5 points per game but the Rams average just 16.2, leaving quite a discrepancy for bettors.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams Prediction

The Seahawks are on a two-game losing streak after falling to the Raiders last week. Josh Jacobs’ 86-yard dash to win the game was symbolic of the Seahawks’ problems as a whole: their run defense loses games. In their five losses, they’ve given up 1,047 rushing yards for an average of 209.4 rushing yards per game. In their six wins, they’ve given up 645 rushing yards for an average of 107.5 yards per game. It’s simple: control the run – win the game.

Geno Smith and the offense is doing their job; Smith leads the league in completion rate, ranks second in passer rating, and ranks fifth in passing touchdowns and the offense as a whole ranks fourth in points per game with 26.5. A more consistent defense would make this a very dangerous team. But last week’s stint by the defense cost the Seahawks their first place NFC West spot and dropped them to eighth in the NFC standings, so, entering the final six weeks of the season, the Seahawks are on the outside looking in, as far as playoffs are concerned.

The Hawks need to figure out what happened to their defense the past two weeks, and head to California ready to take advantage of a weakened Rams offense.

The Rams offense continues to take hits – figuratively and literally (38 sacks this season – third-most in the NFL). Joining Cooper Kupp on the sidelines for the rest of the year is Allen Robinson, who suffered a foot injury and is out for the season. Matthew Stafford was also sidelined last game as he has found himself in concussion protocol for the second time this year. It’s unclear if/when a return is in store for him. Bryce Perkins filled in for Stafford in last week’s loss to the Chiefs and suffered two interceptions and two sacks in his 100-yard passing performance.

If this team had a stronger running game, they could offset some of the losses that their passing game has faced. But, they already sit second-to-last in rush yards per game (79.7) and yards per rush (3.5), so their offense can’t afford any more losses. The good news for them is that the Seahawks run defense has been so inconsistent, that they could leave holes for Los Angeles to exploit.

The Rams strong point is their front seven, which is stingy against the run and allows under 100 rushing yards per game. Seattle’s rookie running back Kenneth Walker will have one of the toughest tests of his career this week against this physical, experienced seven-man unit.

All this being said, the Seahawks should be able to outplay this second-string Rams offense, rather comfortably. I hesitate to give them too much credit considering how inconsistent the defense is right now, but by comparison of skill players alone, they are more talented.

My prediction: Seahawks win 24-13, Seahawks cover, under 41.5 points

Betting Trends

• Rams are 2-7-2 ATS (worst ATS record in NFL)
• Seahawks are 6-5 ATS
• The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings between Seattle and Los Angeles
• Under is 4-0 in Rams last four games vs. a team with a winning record
• Over is 4-1 when Seahawks are away

Key Injuries

Seattle Seahawks Injuries: Dee Eskridge (IR)

Los Angeles Injuries: Matthew Stafford (Q), Allen Robinson (O)

Key Matchup

Kenneth Walker vs. Los Angeles Rams Defensive Front

There is no doubt that Kenneth Walker has made a very strong campaign for Offensive Rookie of The Year. Since taking over for Rashaad Penny in Week 5 as the starter, the rookie has notched nine touchdowns – the most by a rookie, and the fourth-most in the league. Despite adding two touchdowns to last week’s loss, Walker has been kept at bay the last two weeks, totaling just 43 rushing yards. He will have another tough test – perhaps his toughest – this week against Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner, and the rest of the Rams defensive front seven who allows just 97 rushing yards per game. Experience meets youthfulness in this rookie-veteran matchup.

Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart

QB: Geno Smith
RB1: Kenneth Walker
RB2: DeeJay Dallas
LWR: DK Metcalf
RWR: Marquise Goodwin
SWR: Tyler Lockett
TE1: Will Dissly

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: Bryce Perkins
RB1: Kyren Williams
RB2: Cam Akers
LWR: Van Jefferson
RWR: Ben Skowronek
SWR: Lance McCutcheon
TE1: Tyler Higbee