When the Seahawks played in Los Angeles last month, they gained 414 yards, the most by a Rams opponent this season, and they had 26 first downs, the second most allowed by the Rams this season.
So clearly Seattle's offense did a lot of things well. The issue, which the Seahawks know they can't repeat in a big NFC West showdown on Thursday night, were the four turnovers, all interceptions, that not only prevented those yards and first downs from turning into points, but that also set the Rams offense up with some short fields.
"We're excited about this challenge," quarterback Sam Darnold said. "Obviously, it's a divisional game, and playing these guys last time wasn't my best effort. I feel like as an offense we've just got to continue to do what we've been practicing, stay on the details. But again, this team has a very good defense. I think I said it last time, and it held true, matching the pressure with the coverage, smart DBs, guys that know what they're doing, and obviously a really good scheme. We're excited about the challenge and ready to go."
For Darnold, facing the Rams isn't about proving anything about himself after they handed him his worst stat line of the season in Week 11.
"It's just another opponent," he said. "Obviously, it's a divisional game and I would just leave it at that."
But Darnold, like the rest of his teammates, understands the stakes with two 11-3 teams facing off in a game that will put one team in control of its own destiny for the NFC's top seed.
"It's the best, that's the kind of football you want to be playing in December, meaningful football," Darnold said. "We take that head on in the in the locker room and we love it."
Darnold played meaningful December football in Seattle in Week 16 as well, playing one of his best games of the season, throwing three touchdown passes, including a game-winner in the final minutes of the game, to help the Vikings beat the Seahawks. He has shown the ability to come through in big game, and also late in games, including last week's win over the Colts that saw Darnold lead two go-ahead drives on back-to-back fourth-quarter possessions.
And since that last Rams game, Darnold has thrown just one interception in the past four games. Now the key is to keep playing that cleaner brand of offense against one of the best defenses in the league.
"I think Sam's making really smart decisions," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said when asked about the decrease in turnovers. "I thought he played a good game (vs. Indianapolis). Our runners have taken care of the football, which has been great. It's just something we try to attack every day and I think the guys realize that when we do take care of the football, how good of a football team we are and what our record is. It's everything involved, a constant evolution as well."
And when it comes to his quarterback, Macdonald is looking for Darnold to be the same player he has all season.
"I want Sam to play like I want our football team to play, which is decisive, shocking, and relentless," Macdonald said. "Have it be really clear on what you want to do in the game and in that play, so he can go rip it. Shocking is like, 'Hey, it's the execution. It's the beauty of the details. It's all the preparation that feeds into those basic fundamentals that make it come to life, and then just stick at it.' We're just not going to stop, and Sam's demonstrated those things."
The Seahawks launched their new Rivalries uniform, revealing the wolf grey and iridescent green look that they will wear for the Week 16 home game against the Los Angeles Rams. The uniform was created in collaboration with Nike and the NFL to represent the connection to the 12s. Check out all things Seahawks Rivalries here.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) in the Seahawks Rivalries Uniforms that will debut vs. the L.A. Rams in Week 16
