Intro
An NFC West showdown as the 11-3 Los Angeles Rams will take a visit to Seattle for a meeting with the 11-3 Seahawks. These 2 squads boast the best records in the NFC and only trail the 12-2 Denver Broncos for the best record in the NFL. The Rams have won 8 of their last 9 games with QB Matthew Stafford putting up MVP numbers leading the league with 37 TD passes and 2nd in the NFL with 3,722 passing yards. The Seahawks will enter this contest winners of 8 of their last 9 games as well with their last loss coming to the Rams 21-19 in week 11. The offense is centered around WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba who leads the NFL with 1,541 receiving yards in his breakout season. Seattle’s defense is an elite unit ranking 2nd in the league in points allowed with 17.3 points per game. These are 2 of the best teams in the NFL and the winner will be in a strong position for the NFC West title as well as the NFC’s 1 seed.
Analysis/Injury News
As mentioned above Stafford has been dealing this season, but he may be without one of his top playmakers in WR Davante Adams. Adams, who leads the league with 14 receiving TD’s, aggravated a hamstring injury in last week’s win over the Lions. Luckily for Stafford he has another All-Pro WR in Puka Nacua who already has 102 receptions (3rd) and 1,367 yards receiving (4th) this season. The Rams who have scored 40 plus points in each of its past 2 games will have to get past a Seahawks defense which leads the NFL in yards per play and yards per completion. Offensively the Seahawks are led by QB Sam Darnold who leads the league in both yards per completion and yards per attempt. Something to keep an eye on is the Rams defense which has been susceptible to the pass giving up 34 points to Jared Goff and the Lions last week. Coach Sean McVay’s unit still ranks 3rd in points allowed (18.6) on the season, consistently keeping opposing teams out of their endzone.
Picks
The Rams intercepted Darnold 4 times in their last meeting but still had to sweat out a last second 61 yard FG attempt by Jason Myers which narrowly missed. Myers kicked a franchise record 6 FG’s last Sunday in the Seahawks 18-16 win over the Colts proving to be a weapon when needed. With Adam’s injury woes playing a role I expect the Seahawks defense to slow down Stafford and the Rams’ high powered offense on Thursday. Darnold has been performing at a high level all season other than their loss to the Rams and I expect he will be eager to redeem himself for his earlier mistakes. I like the 1st half under and the Seahawks to cover the spread as slight home favorites in this NFC West clash. As far as player props go I’m going to target Rams TE Colby Parkinson to get over 35.5 receiving yards as he had 75 in last weeks win over the Lions.
The Bookie of Eli 
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