The Seahawks have their playoff fate wrapped up already after the win last week against the Browns, but Pete Carroll has said that the team will be keeping their foot on the gas. After all, there is still playoff seeding to play for. Both the Seahawks and Vikings are 9-5, with Seattle holding the tiebreaker. Although the difference between playing as the five or six seed means playing on the road in either Green Bay (as the six) or in Washington or New York (as the five).
Not to mention, this week’s opponent is the Rams, a team that always gives Seattle fits. Most notably their talented defensive line, with studs like Chris Long, Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn. Here’s who and what to watch for come Sunday.
Case Keenum, QB
You may know him as the record setting Houston quarterback from years ago, he briefly started for the Texans a couple years ago and Jeff Fisher is now giving him another shot. And he’s actually been on fire his past two games, going 28 for 39 for 358 yards and two touchdowns. Last week in a win over Tampa Bay, Keenum completed 14 of 17 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns.
Right now the Rams aren’t asking him to win games on his own, and he’s being efficient and safe with the ball. Things may be different this week though, going against the Legion of Boom and the CenturyLink crowd.
Todd Gurley, RB
Last year’s 10th overall pick out of the first-round factory that is the University of Georgia, Gurley has delivered for St. Louis. He is one of only three (!) running backs with at least 1,000 yards with 1,023. A leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Gurley also has nine touchdowns to his name.
Basically the entire Rams offense lives or dies with Gurley. And with Seattle not allowing a 100-yard rusher in nearly two seasons, it’s unlikely that the rookie is able to do what Adrian Peterson couldn’t.
Keys for the Rams
The only hope for the Rams is for them to make it a defensive struggle, or hope that Russell Wilson stops whatever he’s been doing that’s enabling him to channel his inner Tom Brady.
If this game features any offensive success for the Seahawks, or if Seattle scores at least 17 points, the Rams will lose. They’re 31st in scoring, and aren’t even averaging 200 passing yards per game, and in today’s NFL you can’t win that way.
Photo: Flickr/Erick Drost
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