Rams Seahawks Odds

Written September 19, 2008 by Jimmy Boyd

A pair of 0-2 teams from the NFC West division meet in Seattle this Sunday. One team will fall to 0-3, while the other team will have a chance at getting back in the playoff picture. JustBet odds makers feel the Seahawks will be the teams picking up their first win of the season, listing them as 9.5-point favorites with the total set at 44.

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If the defending NFC West Champion Seahawks were to fall to 0-3, we might finally see their reign at the top of the division coming to an end. Seattle has not started the season 0-3 in six years. Injuries at the wide receiver position have undoubtedly played a part in their early disappointment. The Seahawks have already lost six wideouts to injury. Nate Burleson, Ben Obomanu and Logan Payne are lost for the season. Veterans Deion Branch and Bobby Engram have yet to play, and are not expected to return until after the bye week later this month. Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace – pressed into service as a receiver – will miss the next month after injuring his calf last week during pre-game warmups.

This has forced the Seahawks to bring back a talented player with a questionable past, hoping that he has turned his life around so he can help turn this season around. I’m referring to Koren Robinson.

Seattle agreed to a one-year deal with Robinson who will immediately become All-Pro QB Matt Hasselbeck’s top target. From 2001-2004, Robinson averaged 53 catches for almost 792 yards and three touchdowns per season. Before rejoining the team that selected him ninth overall in 2001, Robinson had to prove he’s changed since being released in 2005 because of repeated alcohol issues. Seattle also acquired Keary Colbert to help shore up the spot.

While the receiver spot has been as plagued as any position could be for Seattle, it is not helping matters that the defense is yet to show up. This is a big mystery as the defense returns all 11 starters, including four Pro Bowlers. The unit gave up 34 points in a week 1 loss at Buffalo and then allowed 33 to division rival San Francisco in an overtime loss last week. Seattle allowed NFL journeyman J.T. O’Sullivan to torch them for 321 yards. If you think the Seattle will blow out St. Louis like its first two opponents have, bet the Seahawks at -9 at Bookmaker to get in on the best possible line.

The Rams have been having some problems of their own on defense, getting outscored 79-16 in a pair of blowout defeats. Trying to get his team pumped up, third-year coach Scott Linehan made a bold prediction saying that he felt his team would beat Seattle. He better hope that his team delivers or he could end up being toast before the season is through.

The statement seems pretty ridiculous from a guy whose team followed a 38-3 loss to Philadelphia with a 41-13 thrashing by the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants last week. QB Marc Bulger was sacked six times in the loss.

There was a bright spot however. Rookie defensive end Chris Long, selected second overall in the 2008 draft, recorded his first career sack. Hopefully it will be the first of many for this talented young man.

Let’s put things in perspective of just how bad its been for the Rams thus far. St. Louis has given up nearly 1,000 yards of offense while gaining less than 400. The team is yet to even run a play inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

Even Steven Jackson, a three-time 1,000-yard man, is struggling. The Rams will need him to come up big this week if they hope to beat Seattle for the first time in seven meetings. If you think St. Louis can keep this one within the number, bet the Rams at +9.5 at BetUS and receive up to a 50% signup bonus.

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