The Seahawks (3-1) host the Los Angeles Rams (3-1) at CenturyLink Field, a big early-season test for two NFC West contenders. To learn more about Seattle's Week 5 opponent, we reached out to therams.com staff writer Stu Jackson, who answered five questions about the defending NFC champs.
Q: How have the Rams bounced back from a wild loss to Tampa on Sunday? Is this a case of a team welcoming a short week to move on from that game?
Jackson: I'd say that's very much the case. Though it's a short turnaround, Rams head coach Sean McVay called it a "blessing" because despite the condensed week, it forces them to move on quickly and turn their attention toward their first divisional game of the season.
Q: Jared Goff's numbers obviously aren't bad by any means, but they're not quite up to the standard he set the previous two years under Sean McVay. Is there anything concerning going on or do the Rams feel like this is just a minor blip on the radar?
Jackson: It's just a minor blip, and an inexperienced offensive line is partially to blame.
Rams run game coordinator Aaron Kromer, who also coaches the group, at the beginning of the season said it would be a work in progress, and it wasn't hard to see why with a new starting left guard (Joe Noteboom) and starting center (Brian Allen). Both players saw snaps as rookies last year but in a reserve capacity, backing up Rodger Saffold, who signed with the Titans this offseason, and John Sullivan, who wasn't re-signed by the club this offseason, respectively. In other words, they entered their second seasons placed into starting roles without having made a start in the NFL before.
Goff's numbers should improve as the offensive line gains more experience, giving him more time to throw and less pressure from opposing pass rushes to face. At the same time, it's up to him to make the correct reads and smart throws with the time he does have.
Q: The Rams went from allowing a league-worst 5.1 yards per carry to being a top 10 defense in that category four games into this season, allowing 3.8 yards per carry. What has gone into improving the run defense, and how much does that unit feel like this game is a measuring stick after allowing 463 rushing yards to Seattle in two games last year?
Jackson: Last year's mid-season trade for OLB Dante Fowler has likely played an underrated role in that. While Fowler mainly has a reputation as a pass rusher, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips recently said Fowler doesn't get enough credit for his contributions to the Rams' run defense.
Additionally, though DT Aaron Donald hasn't gotten to the quarterback at the rate most fans would expect, the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year currently grades out by Pro Football Focus as the No. 1 interior defensive lineman against the run. So between Fowler and Donald, it starts mainly up front.
An argument could also be made that safety Eric Weddle has played a role in the improvement. Prior to joining the Rams, he was part of a Ravens defense in 2018 that allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game in the NFL. Weddle is also the Rams' leading tackler.
While there hasn't been talk of this being a "measuring stick" game, several of the Rams defensive players are very aware of the Seahawks' rushing attack and the emphasis placed on it.
Q: Cooper Kupp is off to a great start, how important has the Eastern Washington University product become for Goff and the Rams offense?
Jackson: He's the Rams leading receiver with 32 catches for 388 yards and three touchdowns, and on top of that, an argument could made he is Goff's favorite target even though Goff likes to spread the ball around to his receivers. Kupp has seen a team-high 46 targets through the first four weeks, a number that also ranks second in the league per the NFL's Next Gen Stats.
Josh Reynolds filled in capably for Kupp last year, but Kupp's ability to get yards after the catch is what makes him most valuable to L.A.'s offense.
Q: Should Seahawks fans be encouraged by the fact that Aaron Donald only has one sack in four games, or concerned that he's due for a breakout game?
Jackson: Good question. I think they should be concerned, but not for fear of a breakout game.
Yes, Donald has enjoyed individual success statistically against the Seahawks – in 10 games, he's collected 46 total tackles (17 for loss), 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles – but the increased attention he's receiving is opening things up for DT Sebastian Joseph-Day and DL Michael Brockers, as well as Fowler and OLB Clay Matthews when it comes to the pass rush.
Given the numbers Donald has posted against Seattle in his first five seasons, it wouldn't be surprising to see a breakout game. But again, what Seahawks fans should be watching more closely for is who's left open as a result of Donald getting double-teamed or triple-teamed – assuming Seattle's offensive line tries what others have done through the first four weeks of the season.
The Seahawks and the Rams will meet this Thursday at CenturyLink Field for the fifth game of the 2019 season. 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.
