The Seahawks host the Rams in a Week-18 game that is a must win for their playoff hopes. To help you get ready for this week's regular-season finale, we reached out to therams.com staff writer Stu Jackson with five questions about this week's opponent:
This is not where the Rams, or just about anyone else thought they'd be heading into Week 18. Are the Rams embracing the spoiler role against a division opponent, treating it as just another game to try to build for the future, or as a chance to finish on a high note etc.?
Jackson: It's pretty much all of the above. They're continuing to evaluate several of the young players on their roster, and with this being the final game of their 2022 season, it's the last chance to do so before heading into the offseason. Ending the season with a win would make for a positive transition into the offseason as well.
I know Bobby Wagner has already faced his former team once this season—and he played a hell of a game—but how is he approaching a return to Lumen Field?
Jackson: Wagner said "it's a lot of emotions" leading into Sunday's return to Seattle, but he's taking an approach similar to what he took when the Seahawks played the Rams in Los Angeles earlier this month, in terms of controlling his emotions during the week. Wagner did say being in a position to spoil the Seahawks playoff hopes "is always a good position, something worth playing for," so that spoiler role is one he seems to be embracing. Along those lines, fellow linebacker and teammate Ernest Jones said he wanted to win this game for Wagner.
At the same time, Wagner also said Seattle "became his second home" and was where he grew up, in terms of being on his own and making his own decisions, and the love from there is what he appreciates the most.
The Rams have a new quarterback since these teams met in Week 13, what has Baker Mayfield brough to the team and the offense in his short time there?
Jackson: His personality – specifically his swagger and energy – has been something that has resonated with teammates. His command and ability to see the field have also been important when it comes to the execution of the offense since he arrived.
Aside from the more obvious big names, what player or players could be an X-factor in this game?
Jackson: Defensive lineman-turned-outside linebacker Michael Hoecht has helped re-energize the Rams' pass rush and has a chance to make an impact. Defensive back Cobie Durant's performance against the Broncos showed his playmaking capabilities and is also someone to watch for. On offense, wide receiver Van Jefferson has been a reliable target for Mayfield and on the other end of explosive plays in the passing game.
What matchups or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Sunday?
Jackson: The Rams' run defense vs. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker exited the first game between the two teams with an ankle injury, so now that he's healthy, I'm looking forward to that battle between Walker, one of the NFL's most productive and explosive rushers this season, and a Rams run defense that has held its own for most of the season.
The Seahawks and Rams face off for the first game of the regular season on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:25 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.
