The Los Angeles Rams are back on the road for Week 5 as they’ll face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night in prime time. Both teams are currently 3-1 and a half-game behind the 49ers in the NFC West, so the winner of this one will inch closer to the division lead.
The Seahawks are favored by 1.5 points, making this the first time the Rams have been underdogs all season. There are obvious reasons for that, with quite a few causes for concern.
Here are are the four biggest worries for the Rams in this one.
Difficulty of winning in Seattle (and in prime time)
There are few places tougher to play than CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Winning on the road against the Seahawks is extremely difficult because of the raucous environment and challenge it presents for opposing offenses. It’s even harder to beat the Seahawks at home in prime time.
Since Pete Carroll took over in 2010, the Seahawks are 17-2 in night games at home. That’s the second-best record in the NFL, with a winning percentage of .895; the Ravens are first at .909. In prime-time games in general (home or away), Carroll’s Seahawks are 25-5-1.
The Rams are 1.5-point underdogs and it’s largely because of Seattle’s home-field advantage.
Jadeveon Clowney rushing off the edge
Right behind Andrew Whitworth, Rob Havenstein was the Rams’ best offensive lineman last season. This year, it’s been a completely different story. Havenstein has been a liability at right tackle, failing to win battles with Myles Garrett, Cameron Jordan and Shaquil Barrett.
It’s no big deal, though. He only has … Jadeveon Clowney up next. Yeah, that’s going to be an issue. Clowney most frequently rushes as the left defensive end, which means it’ll be Havenstein trying to block him for much of the game.
The Rams must give Havenstein help on the outside, otherwise Jared Goff is going to get pummeled in this game. Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett can help chip Clowney, while the running backs should also help out.
Seattle’s rushing offense and defense
The Seahawks’ ground game hasn’t been as dominant as it was last season, but it’s still just as physical. The offensive line has improved and Chris Carson is running as hard as he always has. That presents problems for the Rams, who have struggled against the run dating back to last season.
Defensively, Seattle has been great against opposing rushing attacks. They’re sixth in the NFL in yards allowed per game, giving up just 79.5 yards per week. It’s worth mentioning that Seattle has allowed 4.2 yards per carry this season, which is just average. The Rams have to get the ground game going against Seattle, and more importantly, stop Carson.
Absence of Taylor Rapp and Bryce Hager
Rapp is doubtful and Hager has already been ruled out, meaning the Rams will most likely be without both defenders. Neither play as many snaps as the starters, but Rapp has carved out a significant role on defense and Hager has stepped up nicely in Micah Kiser’s place. There’s a noticeable drop-off from Hager to undrafted rookie Troy Reeder, who will fill in for Hager on Thursday night.
Marqui Christian is a quality defender, but he’s clearly behind Rapp on the depth chart, and for obvious reasons. Rapp offers much more in coverage and is shiftier in the box, allowing him to help out in a big way against the run. Both he and Hager will be missed.
