The Seahawks head to Los Angeles this week for a big NFC West showdown with the Rams. Both teams are 7-2, both have won four in a row, and both are among the more balanced teams in the league, as is evident by the fact that they are the only two teams in the NFL to rank in the top five in both points scored and points allowed.
To help you learn more about the Rams and get ready for Sunday's game at SoFi Stadium, we reached out to TheRams.com staff writer Wyatt Miller with five questions about this week's opponent.
The Rams have been steamrolling teams since losing a close game in Week 5. What has led to them taking their game to this level?
Miller: The connection between Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams has flourished over the past four games. Adams' catch rate has increased in each of those matchups, totaling 211 yards and six touchdowns. They've been communicating at the line of scrimmage, and their rapport has advanced to no-look pass territory, which, as Adams said, "means (Stafford) trusts you."
That increase in production for Adams combined with the Rams' success with multiple-tight end looks has brought the offense to new heights. They've found a groove defensively as well, allowing an average of just 11.5 points per game. Opposing teams need to find the end zone more than that to keep up with this high-powered offense.
For years the Sean McVay's offense lived in 11 personnel, but now they're creating buzz with their use of multiple-tight end formations. Why the change and what does the heavier personnel do for the offense?
Miller: Before the season, McVay said he wanted a more versatile offense, and he's since confirmed that mixing personnels was part of that vision. In terms of what it does for the offense, McVay explained it best after Sunday's game, when they used 13 personnel on 44.8% of their snaps: "The best offenses I've been a part of… have different ways they can make you pay. You're still playing 11-on-11. If you overcommit to something, then you gotta be able to open up and expose the other things."
The Rams' creative play-calling and versatile tight ends have helped them take advantage of defenses matching their multiple-tight end sets with heavier personnel and stacked boxes.
The Rams are among the league leaders in takeaways with 14. What has allowed Chris Shula's defense to find so much success in that all-important aspect of the game?
Miller: Disguised coverages and new acquisitions have made the difference. Inside linebacker Nate Landman has forced three fumbles this season with his signature peanut punch, all of which have been recovered by Los Angeles, while cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. has intercepted two passes. Those two additions to the starting lineup have given the Rams more opportunities to create takeaways.
In terms of the defensive scheme, an analyst recently told me that Shula is a Wade Phillips guy that knows how to speak Vic Fangio. That complex defensive philosophy confuses opposing offenses. His use of stunts, blitzes and simulated pressures up front combined with diverse coverages on the backend make it difficult for quarterbacks to diagnose L.A.'s defense, leading to mistakes.
Aside from the obvious big names, what player or players could you see being an X-factor in this game?
Miller: Safety Quentin Lake is a player to watch. He plays all over the field, can fit the run in the box and cover in the slot or back deep. Obviously, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the biggest threat in the passing game, and much of his intermediate and short production comes between the numbers. That's often Lake's territory. So, whether he's filling gaps in the run game, covering his old teammate Cooper Kupp out of the slot or picking up Smith-Njigba in zone coverage, Lake will certainly have an impact on this game.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Sunday?
Miller: Jared Verse vs. Charles Cross. Cross might not get the same recognition as some of the other big names in that 2022 draft class, but he's been extremely dependable at left tackle this season. We all saw what happened to Sam Darnold in last year's wild card round when Shula brought exotic looks and pressures his way – the collapsing pockets got to him. Obviously, this is a different team and scheme, but keeping Verse out of the backfield as much as possible will surely be a priority for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and Cross will be the man responsible for that on most plays.
The Seahawks and Rams face off for the first time in the 2025 season on November 16. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Rams.
Los Angeles Rams kicker Tom Dempsey (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 31, 1976, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Cornell Webster (38) stops Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Drew Hill (29) during an NFL pre-season game Aug. 19, 1979 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jack Youngblood (85) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn for a loss during the first quarter in this Aug. 28, 1982 photo in Anaheim, Calif. Youngblood was one of seven elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 1987, file photo, Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) breaks away from Seattle Seahawks' Joe Nash during an NFL preseason football game in Anaheim, Calif. On Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, Dickerson signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the L Rams, reuniting the famous running back with his first NFL football franchise. Dickerson also became a vice president of business development with the Rams, who returned to Los Angeles last year after 21 seasons in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) topples a St. Louts Rams quarterback (16) during a pre-season NFL football game in 1991. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2000, file photo, St. Louis Rams' Devin Bush tackles Seattle Seahawks's Ricky Watters during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half in Seattle, Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. Hasselbeck passed for 303 yards completing 20 in 32 attempts as the Seahawks win 30-10. Behind is Rams' Troyka Jackson and Seahawks' Walter Jones. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Alex Bannister (85) hits St. Louis Rams' DeJaun Groce after Groce caught a punt during the first quarter in Seattle Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Jerry Rice leaps to make a one-handed catch against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on November 14, 2004. The Rams won 23-12. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, right, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu in the third quarter, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 31-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Delon Branch, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher in the forth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)
Cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks lends a leaping hand as teammate Deon Grant #24 intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Travis Taylor #18 of the St. Louis Rams at Quest Field on October 21, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 33-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Members of the Seattle Seahawks line up one yard out of the end zone against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 23-20. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Seattle Seahawks' Julius Jones (22) runs with the ball as St. Louis Rams' David Vobora falls behind in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59) and Seattle Seahawks safety Lawyer Milloy middle, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Brandon Browner breaks up a pass intended for Brandon Lloyd of the St. Louis Rams during an NFL game in Seattle on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. The Seahawks won the game, 30-13. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson runs from St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Seattle Seahawks vs St. Loius Rams; Malcolm Smith
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, right, pushes Los Angeles Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner away as he runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
Tyler Lockett's toe-drag touchdown reception from a Russell Wilson 13-yard looping-over-the-top-pass brought a feeling of poetic ballet to the skill of catching touchdown passes. The Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, 30-29, at CenturyLink Field, October 3, 2019.
