The Seahawks host the Rams on Sunday in a game with big playoff implications for both teams. The Seahawks, who have already secured a trip to the postseason, can clinch the NFC West with a win, while the Rams are looking to clinch a playoff berth and regain the division lead heading into Week 17. To get ready for the game and learn more about this week's opponent, we reached out to therams.com staff writer Stu Jackson with five questions about the Rams:
What went wrong for the Rams in what Sean McVay called "a very humbling" loss to the Jets, and what needs to happen for them to bounce back with the NFC West on the line?
A: Lots of uncharacteristic, self-inflicted mistakes. Most notably, running back Cam Akers had what would've been the go-ahead touchdown – an 18-yard run – nullified by a holding penalty; the Rams had to settle for a 42-yard field goal by kicker Matt Gay instead. On what ended up being their final offensive series of the game, Akers also had a 22-yard run – which would've set the Rams up at the Jets 17 – negated by an illegal block in the back penalty; the Rams ended up having to go for it on 4thdown and 4 and didn't convert.
The Rams defense also didn't create any takeaways, which in games past has helped set up scoring opportunities or directly led to points. Entering Week 15, they had returned one takeaway for a touchdown in three straight games.
For Los Angeles to bounce back this weekend, it needs to eliminate those mistakes and get back to forcing turnovers, at a minimum.
Cam Akers has become a big part of L.A.'s offense since these teams last met, how big of a blow is it that he won't be able to play this week, and who steps up to fill the void?
A: No question, it's a big loss. The Rams have the depth and production at running back to withstand it, but his emergence and production has been huge for their offense. In L.A.'s wins over New England and Arizona, he tallied a combined 50 carries for 243 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown.
It will likely be a combination of second-year running back Darrell Henderson Jr. and fifth-year running back Malcolm Brown. Both were productive in the first half of the season and are capable receivers and pass-blockers, but Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday it's too early to know exactly what their roles will look like on Sunday.
First-year defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has become hot head-coach candidate; what has he brought to the Rams defense to help that unit become one of the league's best?
A: It sounds simplistic and cliché, but it's the truth: He puts his players in position to succeed. Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey said last week "we're able to go out there and play free" because Staley doesn't overthink things for himself or the players. An example: Ramsey not only plays cornerback, but also Star – a hybrid position in Staley's scheme that is a mix of cornerback, safety and linebacker – in the Rams' defense to take advantage of his frame and skillset.
The unit's emphasis on takeaways (21 entering Week 16) is not new for any team at any level of football, but that's also played a part in their success this season too.
Jalen Ramsey and DK Metcalf will be the matchups a lot of folks are watching when Seattle has the ball, but Darious Williams looks like he's had a big impact on that defense as well, including two interceptions the last time these teams met. What has he brought to the defense since taking on a bigger role late last season?
A: Williams has given the Rams another shutdown corner to line up opposite Ramsey, which makes the strategy of throwing away from Ramsey to move the ball downfield much more difficult for opposing offenses. Even before Staley got a chance to get on the field prior to the start of the regular season with his new team, he said he knew early on that Williams had the cover skills that could translate at this level, pointing back to those opportunities late last season.
What are a few of the matchups you're most looking forward to seeing on Sunday?
A: Like you mentioned, Ramsey vs. Metcalf will be one to watch. It will be interesting to see what adjustments both teams make, especially Seattle after Metcalf finished with two catches for 28 yards in the first meeting. Seahawks running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde missed the first game due to injury, so having both healthy this time around will present a different challenge for the Rams defense.
Defensive end Carlos Dunlap has provided a pass-rushing boost to Seattle's defense, and with safety Jamal Adams (9.5 sacks) also finding ways to get to the quarterback, I'm curious to see how that will impact the way the Rams offensive line will try to protect Jared Goff.
The Seahawks and the Rams will meet at Lumen Field for the Wild Card round of the 2020 playoffs on Saturday, January 9 at 1:40 p.m. PT. Take a look back at photos from past games between the two teams.
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)
Los Angeles Rams running back Rod Phillips (39) runs behind a block by running back Jim Bertelsen (45) on Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mike Curtis (32) during an NFL game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on October 31, 1976. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 45-6. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) topples a St. Louis Rams quarterback (16) during a pre-season NFL football game in 1991. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Quarterback Dave Krieg (17) of the Seattle Seahawks releases a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in 1991. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Seattle Seahawks's Ricky Watters is turned on his side by St. Louis Rams' Devin Bush during the second half in Seattle Sunday, Sept 10, 2000. The Rams won 37-34. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk tries to hurdle Seahawks defenders to gain more yardage on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at Seattle Seahawks Stadium. Bringing down Faulk are Seattle defenders Antonio Cochran, bottom, Chad Eaton (90) and Rocky Bernard (99). Seattle beat St. Louis, 30-10. (AP Photo/Jim Bryant)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren, center, talks with St. Louis Rams' Torry Holt, left, and Seahawks' Koren Robinson after the Seahawks' 30-10 win over the Rams in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
St. Louis Rams' Grant Wistrom sacks Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck in the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander carries the ball as he plows through St. Louis Rams' Aeneas Williams in second-half action Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 in Seahawks Stadium in Seattle. Alexander entered the game in the middle of the second quarter after being with his wife Valerie for the birth of their daughter, Heaven Nashay Alexander earlier in the day. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt (81) in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004 at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk looks for room to run around Seattle Seahawks' Anthony Simmons (51) in the second half in St. Louis, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004. Faulk rushed for a season-high 139 yards in the Rams 23-12 win. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is grabed by St. Louis Rams defensive end Bryce Fisher before being sacked by other Rams defensemen in the fourth quarter Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004 at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Rams beat the Seahawks 33-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Steve Shelton)
Seattle Seahawks D.J. Hackett, left, and Bobby Engram celebrate Hackett's third quarter touchdown pass reception, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Seattle. Hackett had 78 yards receiving and Engram had 70 yards receiving in the game. The Seahawks won, 31-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Joe Jurevicius (87) looks for room to run against the St. Louis Rams defensive backs Corey Ivy (35) and Chris Johnson (37) following a pass reception during the second half Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, in St. Louis. Jurevicius had nine catches for 137 yards in the Seahawks' 37-31 win. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Seattle Seahawks' Nate Burleson (81) scores on a 90-yard punt return against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 24-22. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Seattle Seahawks' Deion Branch celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Mark Bulger, right, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson in the forth quarter in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney (97) sacks St. Louis Rams quarterback Gus Frerotte during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 24-19. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch celebrates after catching a 9-yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game as St. Louis Rams' Oshiomogho Atogwe, left, and Tye Hill, right, look on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 24-19. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) yells out a change of play from the line of scrimmage and St. Louis Rams defensive players react during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 33-6. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' T.J. Duckett celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris (20) runs with the ball past St. Louis Rams' Oshiomogho Atogwe (21) and Adam Carriker (90) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 23-20. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger hands off to running back Steven Jackson (39) as Seattle Seahawks SS Deon Grant (24) closes in from the right during an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kyle Boller, top, is hit by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson, right, as he throws during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in St. Louis. Seattle won 27-17. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Julius Jones #22 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on September 13, 2009 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 28-0. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Cory Redding #94 of the Seattle Seahawks runs on the field against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on September 13, 2009 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 28-0. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) runs with the ball during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Stokley makes a diving catch across the middle of the field during a game against St. Louis Rams on October 3, 2010. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 20-3.
Seahawks linebacker Lawyer Milloy delivers a hit to Rams' quarterback Sam Bradford during a game on October 3, 2010. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 20-3.
Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate evades a tackle from a Rams' defender during a game on January 2, 2011. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 16-6.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch tip toes down the sideline as he makes his way down the field against the Rams during a game on January 2, 2011. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 16-6.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Red Bryant pressures Rams quarterback Sam Bradford during a game on November 20, 2011. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 24-7.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch celebrates a touchdown against the Rams during a game on December 12, 2011. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 30-13.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons tackles Rams running back Daryl Richardson in the back field during a game on September 30, 2012. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 19-13.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Rams during a game on December 30, 2012. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 20-13.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate stands in celebration after defeating the Rams on December 30, 2012. The Seahawks defeated the St. Louis Rams 20-13.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate battles through two Rams defenders to score a touchdown during a game on October 28, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 14-9.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin intercepts a Rams pass attempt on the sidelines during a game on October 28, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 14-9.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell jumps a Rams route and intercepts an incoming pass during a game on December 29, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 27-9.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet celebrates a touchdown during a game on October 19, 2014. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 28-26.
Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas delivers a hit to a Rams wide receiver during a game on October 19, 2014. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 28-26.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin reads the offense as the ball is snapped during a game on December 28, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 20-6.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson pulls down a reception over Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins during a game on December 28, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 20-6.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett takes off down field during a game on September 13, 2015. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 34-31.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham pulls in a touchdown reception over a Rams' defender during a game on September 13, 2015. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 34-31.
Seattle Seahawks wide receivers Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin celebrate Baldwin's touchdown reception during a game on December 27, 2015. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 23-17.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright makes a play on the football during a game on December 27, 2015. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 23-17.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson tries to pull in a reception over a Rams defender during a game on September 18, 2016. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 9-3.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril prepares to sack Rams quarterback Case Keenum during a game on September 18, 2016. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 9-3.
Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor stares into the Rams backfield prior to the snap during a game on December 15, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 24-3.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Wilson attempts to break a tackle during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on December 15, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 24-3.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett evades a Rams defender and takes off down field during a game on October 8, 2017. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 16-10.
Seattle Seahawks defensive backs Earl Thomas and Shaquill Griffin embrace following a win over the Los Angeles Rams on October 8, 2017. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 16-10.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Michael Wilhoite celebrates with the 12s after intercepting a pass attempt from the Los Angeles Rams during a game on December 17, 2017. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 42-7.
Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt prepares to snap the ball during a game against the Rams on December 17, 2017. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 42-7.
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson takes off and hurdles Rams cornerback Troy Hill during a game on October 17, 2018. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 33-31.
Seattle Seahawks wide receivers Tyler Lockett and David Moore celebrate in the end zone following Moore's touchdown reception in a game on October 17, 2018. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 33-31.
Seattle Seahawks captains stand at midfield awaiting the coin toss ahead of a game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 11, 2018. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 36-31.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett pulls down a touchdown reception over Rams cornerback Troy Hill during a game on November 11, 2018. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 36-31.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson sacks Rams quarterback Jared Goff during a game on November 11, 2018. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 36-31.
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.
Captains for the Seahawks and the Rams watch the opening coin toss by head referee Shawn Hochuli.
In the third quarter, Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin pressured Jared Goff, resulting in an interception by safety Quandre Diggs.
