NFL WEEK 5
GREG COTE’S THURSDAY PICK
RAMS (3-1) at SEAHAWKS (2-2)
Line: LAR by 2 1/2.
Cote’s pick: SEA 30-27.
TV: 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Fox/NFL.
There isn’t a bad matchup possible in stacked NFC West, best division in football, and Rams at Seahawks is a great one to kick off NFL Week 5. LAR got handled by Arizona last week while Seattle beat San Fran. Rams trend as a pretty solid bounce-back team after not-close losses, but my gut is loving Seattle as a home-dog like it loves a Big Mac and fries. One caution: Rams on a 6-2 series run and have held Hawks to 20 points or fewer in past four meetings. But! This isn’t the Rams defense that led NFL last season. Not yet, at least. This is a Rams D that has given up 85 points over past three games and 911 yards in past two. Give me Russell Wilson at home against that. Which reminds me: Home-field advantage tends to be magnified a bit in prime time, and Seattle has won five in a row at home on Thursday nights. Seahawks also on an 8-1-2 run against the spread on TNF. Upset!
[Note: Betting line courtesy Caesars Sportsbook as of midday Wednesday.]
