Ready for a 9-6 game Sunday between the Seahawks and Rams? Because, more likely than not, that is what you are going to get -- a defensive slugfest that could go either way. 

As they begin their quest for a third straight Super Bowl appearance, the Seahawks' weakest link is clearly their offensive line.

The unit was reconfigured after the first preseason game and has played parts of just two games together. It is still a major work in progress -- just like the Rams' offensive line. And with two of the best defensive lines in the NFL featured in this game, points figure to be as scarce as the folks who think the Patriots have never cheated.

USA Today recently listed the five teams in the league with the biggest concerns up front, and both the Seahawks and Rams made the list.

The Rams are the second-least experienced offensive line in the NFL, with two rookies expected to start and left tackle Greg Robinson still figuring it out in his second year. They are likely to have plenty of problems against Seattle's front, led by Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and Brandon Mebane.

The Rams' D-line is even better -- with the nearly unblockable Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, along with Michael Brockers, Chris Long, Nick Fairley, et al.

"They're really talented," Pete Carroll said on KIRO Radio on Friday. "They've had a lot of draft picks in the last few years and they’ve really cashed in on it. They're as talented and athletic a group as we'll play all year long. So we go right to the fire right off the bat."

The Seahawks' quintet of (L-R) Russell Okung, Justin Britt, Drew Nowak, J.R. Sweezy and Garry Gilliam will get their biggest test of the season in the first game of the season -- not exatcly the way you would draw it up. The draft pedigree among that group is the third worst in the league, thanks to the undrafted Nowak and Gilliam and 2012 seventh-rounder Sweezy. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Rams D-linemen were all first-round picks.

"Our guys are really a good-looking group," Carroll said. "They've got a lot of growth. They're going to learn and get better. This is a fantastic challenge for them, and we’ll see where we are as we get going."

The Rams have roughed up Russell Wilson in nearly every game they have played. He has been sacked 25 times in six games against them, and he has been hit plenty of other times. He figures to spend plenty of time in the cold tub recovering from this one.

"These guys have always given us problems," Carroll admitted. "… We'll see if we can keep them at bay some and run the football at them and not let them get going and tee it up for the pass rush. If we can do that, it will give us a chance.

"You might see improvement (along the line) from the start to the end of this game."

Carroll clearly understands his line might struggle, but and Cable have high hopes for quick progress and sustained performance by their new-formed quintet.

"It looked so good when we moved Britt to left guard and because of Garry Gilliam's development," Carroll said. "That was really a combination move there, and Garry has just jumped at it. Garry was a wonderful prospect when we brought him in (undrafted out of Penn State last year), but he was raw and new and had just moved to offensive line as a senior. He's developed quickly, he's a fantastic athlete for us, and that combination has made that work.

"Drew Nowak has just jumped into the middle of it. He's very bright, very competitve, and he's made this thing look like it's got a chance to stick together for some time. It's an exciting group, and I know Tom Cable is really fired up about the way they've progressed and the future we have with these guys.

"Obviously at this time everything's optimistic and upbeat, and we think we're going to be pretty good there," Carroll concluded, "but we're going to have to learn, and we'll grow during the season."

They should learn a lot vs. the stellar Rams DL, and the bright side is: It certainly won't get anything but easier after this.

In the meantime, get ready for lots of ugly offense caused by delightful defense in a 9-6 game.

Image: Mike Morris (Flickr)