SEATTLE vs LOS ANGELES
- Story of the Game – A Dominant Showing From the Rams Ends in a Disaster
Seattle had a great start on the first two drives of this game. They managed to stall the Rams offense in the red zone to force a turnover on downs and then proceeded to drive down after an explosive play from Kenneth Walker III that set up a Zach Charbonnet touchdown to put them up 7 in a crucial divisional matchup. From that point forward the Rams really took control of this game. The Rams offense drove down twice and while only coming away field goals showed just how dominate they could be against a very talented Seattle defense. This trend continued through the majority of the game as the Rams controlled the ball on offense driving down possession after possession and dominating the LOS on defense. As the game progressed into the 4th Quarter the Rams had taken complete control and the Seahawks looked rudderless on offense as they couldn’t get anything going in the passing game. But as it got closer and closer to looking like the Rams were headed on their way to taking control of the division and in turn the entire NFC conference the Seahawks got a stop on defense, returned a punt for a touchdown, and converted a 2pt conversion that changed everything in this game. All of the sudden the Rams were on their back foot trying to take momentum back from a surging Seahawks team but after yet another 3 & out from a pass happy Rams offense the Seahawks got the ball back and subsequently drove down the field to once again score a touchdown and convert a game tying 2pt conversion, this 2pt conversion being a bizzare play where a backwards pass was ruled incomplete but then reversed to a fumble which was recovered in the end zone to tie the game. This momentum rolled into overtime but the Rams weren’t finished as they got the ball first and drove right down the field for a touchdown of their own on a huge post route off of play action from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua. Just when it felt like the Rams had finally put the Seahawks away Seattle proceeded to drive down including a huge throw from Darnold to Kupp that led to a touchdown in the back of the end zone to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Then it came down to one play on a 2pt attempt that was incredibly well blocked by the Seahawks offensive line that allowed Darnold to progress all the way to what looked to be his last read to win it on a under route to TE Eric Saubert. Just an unreal ending to a terrific game between two of the best teams not just in the NFC West or even the NFC but the entire league.
- Key Notes for the Seahawks
The Seahawks defensive line and front seven overall had an up and down 3 Quarters of football. They were moved around up front by the Rams offensive line in the run game in between the 20s and their attempts to create pressure, especially on 3rd downs, through stunts and sim pressures were either picked up by the Rams offensive line or negated by Stafford getting the ball out quickly. For all of the faults through the majority of the game with this front they stood strong in the red zone and kept their struggling offense in this game by forcing field goals or turnover on downs in high leverage areas of the field. As the game wore on this defense was able to come up with a number of crucial stops thanks to their pass rush coming alive which ultimately flipped this game on its head late in the 4th Quarter. This group certainly didn’t have its best day and there will be improvements to be had when going back to watch the film but the way they rallied late and came together for a win in a crucial divisional matchup cannot be overstated.
Kenneth Walker III and the Seahawks run game as a whole had their best game of the season. Walker III looked like the best athlete on the field consistently out running the Rams linebackers and secondary and when he didn’t out run them he was forcing missed tackles in some form or fashion or even reversing field and making positives out of what looked to be blown up plays. Walker III was the only consistent player on the Seahawks offense and really kept them alive through a passing performance that Darnold and the rest of the Seahawks offense will want to forget.
The aforementioned passing game was a rough watch this week. The Seahawks offensive line was completely outclassed in pass protection as the Rams defensive line routinely got home with four and did so quickly. This forced Darnold to drop his eyes and try to escape the pocket which the Rams were well aware of as they did a great job holding strong and disciplined in their rush lanes which ended in Darnold picking up a handful of yards at best with his legs and more often than not being sacked. The Seahawks continue to struggle if you force them to be a drop back passing offense but luckily for them they got enough shots from their defense getting stops and help from a punt return TD by Shaheed which allowed them to mix run and pass and create the balance their looking for to alleviate the lack of consistency with pass protection up front. For all the issues this group had Darnold made some huge throws down the stretch including one to Kupp that put them in scoring position in OT which subsequently capped off their miraculous comeback.
- A side note for this offense was how they used JSN down the stretch of the game. The Rams did a great job of limiting him down the field but also underneath as they bracketed him in some unique ways that led to interceptions or just flat out Darnold not throwing the ball his way. To counter this OC Klint Kubiak out JSN in the backfield and used him on options routes against safeties and linebackers. While this certainly won’t be a consistent use for him and you obviously would like to utilize him on the outside as a true number one receiver it’s a wrinkle that teams will have to practice and respect as he’s a matchup nightmare when they use him out of the backfield.
- Key Notes for the Rams
Rams DC Chris Shula did a phenomenal job disguising coverages on the back end of his defense which paired with their ferocious pass rush gave Seattle’s passing attack fits all game long. They managed to pick off Darnold twice once on a slant route where they showed man coverage and then dropped into zone right in front of a double slant pattern and another that took points off the board for Seattle as Kobie Turner (who had an incredible game) dropped into coverage from his 3 technique spot right into a pass to JSN in the end zone.
With Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, and the rest of the Rams front seven causing havoc up front for Seattle they managed to keep the explosive Seattle passing attack in check really all game and had it not been for their offense having multiple 3 & outs late in the 4th Quarter this group more than likely would have won the Rams this game. But as the game went on and the Rams offense stalled more and more you could see the defense and especially the defensive line that had dominated all game began to slow down. That gave Darnold and his receivers just enough time to push the ball downfield for the explosives the Rams had done such a good job of limiting all game which ultimately proved to be too much for the Rams defense.
The Rams offense in between the 20s was marching the ball really however they wanted. Whether it was run, pass, or play action Seattle had no control over what the Rams did. Their offensive line was dominate in the run game, pushing the Seattle defensive line around and creating wide open gaps for Kyren Williams and Blake Corum to navigate through. On top of that the offensive line and Stafford were incredible on 3rd downs. They picked up every sim pressure, stunt, and blitz that Seattle threw at them and when they did miscommunicate something up front Stafford knew exactly where he wanted to go with the ball every time which allowed him to get the ball out before the Seattle front had any chance of getting a hit on him. And while all of this sounds great their struggles in the red zone really hurt them in this game. Their first three drives either ended in a FG inside the red zone or a turnover on downs which allowed Seattle to stick around in the game despite their offense getting nothing going for the large majority of this game. The entire offense also started to falter late in the game as they let momentum slip away and I thought started to get pass happy which allowed Seattle’s front to on their ears back and pass rush with no worries of giving up a run in their respective gap. They started to press late and I think it’s clear they mismanaged the clock down the stretch which is very uncharacteristic from HC Sean McVay.
- A side note that is certainly something to watch down the stretch of this season and in to the playoffs is the rate at which McVay went for it on 4th down. He’s been one of the more conservative HCs in that regard through his tenure in Los Angeles but this game was a complete flip from their tendency to be more conservative and it paid off as they were 2/3 on 4th down.
The Rams special teams unit continues to be a legitimate issue for this team. Obviously the punt return in the 4th Quarter that flipped the momentum into Seattle’s favor is a terrible mistake by their punt coverage unit but they were out gained and overall out played in every phase of special teams this game. All 8 kickoffs went for touchbacks which is giving your opposing team free yardage as it brings them out to the 30yd line with this year’s kickoff rules and along with that they were also out gained 97 to 209 in punt net yards. On top of it all they missed a field goal in a crucial moment late in the game that kept the game tied and allowed Seattle to get the game to overtime with having to score. Just a poor performance all the way around from a group of units that have struggled all season.
- Standout Performers
SEA
Kenneth Walker III – 11/100 1 TD – 3/64 rec
- The only consistent threat in the Seahawks offense all game long.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 8/96 1 TD
- Despite a slow start to the game JSN showed up late and played a huge part in Seattle’s comeback.
Ernest Jones IV – 12 Tackles (4 Solo) 1 TFL
- Flew around the field and was a clear leader for a Seahawks defense that was up and down throughout the night but ultimately came through when it mattered most.
Devon Witherspoon – 9 Tackles (5 Solo) 1 TFL
Rasheed Shaheed – 1 Punt Return – 58yds 1 TD
- Was once again held in check in the receiving game but his punt return for a TD set up what turned out to be an unbelievable comeback.
LAR
Matthew Stafford – 29/49 457yds 3/0
- Unable to pull out the win in this one and had his struggles late but for the large majority of this game Stafford showed why he’s a MVP candidate. He was also absolutely lights out in 3rd down situations.
Puka Nacua – 12/225 2 TDs
- Unbelievable game with Seattle giving him an unreal amount of attention all game. Made a number of tough catches and came up with what would have been the game winning TD in overtime had their defense gotten a stop.
Terrance Ferguson – 3/33 1 TD
Kobie Turner – 3 Tackles (1 Solo) 1.5 Sacks 1 TFL 1 INT 2 PDs
- Was absolutely dominant in every way imaginable for a IDL – Dropped into coverage for an INT in their own red zone, got to the QB multiple times, blew up runs all game long, and batted multiple passes down at the LOS. Couldn’t ask for more
Kam Curl – 5 Tackles (2 Solo) 1 FF
Jared Verse – 4 Tackles (1 Solo) .5 Sacks
Josh Wallace – 6 Tackles 1 INT 1 PBU
- Great play to show man and drop right into a slant route to JSN – Great call from Shula and a phenomenal job disguising and executing.
