Rams Seahawks Spread

Written by Jack Jones

The Seattle Seahawks look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive Sunday when they host the St. Louis Rams in NFC West action. This has been a very one-sided division rivalry. Seattle has won 12 of the last 13 meetings in this series, including a 24-7 road victory on November 20th. The Seahawks outgained the Rams 289-185 for the game, while also sacking quarterback Sam Bradford five times. They held Steven Jackson to just 42 yards on 15 carries as well. The Seahawks have won six straight at home in this series by an average of 17.6 points.

As of this writing, most of the books have taken this game off the board as we await the status of the Rams’ quarterback situation. I have seen a line of Seattle -6.5 over St. Louis at one online book.

Seattle

The Seahawks started slow by losing six of their first eight games this season. Seattle (5-7, 3-3 home) has turned the corner in the second half. They have won three of four while outscoring opponents 94-61. Running back Marshawn Lynch has been a big reason for their success. After rushing for just 263 yards in his first six games, he has totaled an NFL-best 591 yards and five touchdowns since Week 9. Their defense has also stepped it up, recording eight interceptions and nine sacks over their last four games. Opposing quarterbacks have a 68.4 passer rating during this stretch.

Seattle is coming off a 31-14 beat down of the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday. That means they’ll have an extra three days to rest, while also earning more time to prepare for St. Louis. Their defense intercepted Vince Young four times in their win over the Eagles, including one that was returned 77 yards for a touchdown by David Hawthorne. Tarvaris Jackson completed 13 of 16 passes for 190 yards with a touchdown, and Lynch added 148 yards and two scores on the ground.

The Seahawks rank 28th in the league in total offense (298.5 yards/game) and 14th in total defense (339.7 yards/game). They have rushed for at 100-plus yards on the ground in five straight games, which is their longest such streak since a seven-game run back in 1996. They’ll have a good chance of extending that streak against a St. Louis defense that gives up a league-worst 157.8 rushing yards/game. Seattle rushed for 126 yards in their first meeting with the Rams this season, including 88 and a touchdown from Lynch.

St. Louis

It has been a lost season for the Rams, who were expected to compete for a division title after a surprising 7-9 campaign a year ago. St. Louis (2-10, 1-5 away) has been crushed by injuries all season, but they have showed little fight to overcome them. The Rams have been outscored 114-25 in their last four trips to CenturyLink Field, and the chips are stacked against them once again. They could be down to their No. 3 quarterback this week. Starter Sam Bradford has been out with a left ankle sprain, while backup A.J. Feeley suffered a fracture in his right thumb last Sunday in a 26-0 loss at San Francisco.

The Rams were held to a season-low 157 yards against the 49ers. Feeley threw for 156 yards with an interception, while also getting sacked four times. San Francisco’s top-ranked run defense limited St. Louis to just 31 rushing yards on 23 carries. That includes 19 yards on 10 carries from Jackson. Alex Smith had his way with their defense, throwing for 274 yards and two touchdowns on the day. The 49ers clinched the NFC West division with the win.

St. Louis ranks 31st in total offense (284.0 yards/game) and 23rd in total defense (366.2 yards/game). Jackson has rushed for 832 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.6/carry, but they simply haven’t been able to use him enough considering they are usually playing catch-up in most games. If Bradford and Feeley cannot go, then the Rams will turn to Tom Brandstater at quarterback. He was the 174th overall pick in the 2009 draft by Denver out of Fresno State. He was just recently activated from the practice squad and has yet to take an NFL snap.

Betting Trends

The Rams are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games overall, 8-22 ATS in their last 30 vs. NFC West opponents, and 1-10 ATS in their last 11 vs. NFC foes.

The Seahawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games, and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NFC opponents. However, Seattle is just 3-24-2 ATS in their last 29 games following a SU win of more than 14 points.

Seattle is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 meetings with St. Louis, including 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home meetings.

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