Written by Kevin Patra at NFL.com
The Seattle Seahawks (3-2) jumped back in the driver’s seat in the NFC West, escaping Los Angeles with a 16-10 win over the Rams (3-2). Here is what you need to know:
1. The Seattle defense grounded Sean McVay’s high-flying offense. The Rams entered Sunday averaging an NFL-high 35.5 points per game and 383.8 total yards. The Seahawks bottled up Todd Gurley and forced Jared Goff into low-percentage tosses, holding L.A. to 10 points. The Rams moved the ball at times, earning 375 yards and 21 first downs, but Seattle forced five turnovers, including two from Goff late in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks’ pass rush was held at bay until late in the game. Then pressure up the gut forced a fluttering interception by Earl Thomas. On the following drive, Frank Clark burned reliable left tackle Andrew Whitworth to strip Goff. Seattle’s secondary bottled up the throwing lanes and contested nearly every catch. The D-line set the edge and didn’t let Gurley get loose (14 carries for 43 yards), setting up a bevy of Rams third-and-longs. Sunday was the return of the dominant Seahawks defense we’d become used to
2. In a defensive tilt, Wade Phillips’ crew battered Russell Wilson. The Rams’ pass rush came in waves, with Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, Alec Ogletree and Matt Longacre hounding the QB for six sacks and 11 hits. With the Seahawks’ run game bottled up, Wilson was forced to throw 37 times, but completed just 23 for 194 yards. The Rams’ secondary also forced two interceptions (one from Wilson and one from Tanner McEvoy on a trick play). L.A. blanketed Doug Baldwin and didn’t give Wilson his quick looks. With the Rams’ defensive line blowing through Seattle blockers, Wilson didn’t have time to stretch the field. Jimmy Graham was the lone bright spot on the Seahawks’ offense, earning six receptions for 37 yards on eight targets and a post-up touchdown catch.
3. The Rams will be kicking themselves on Monday. L.A. missed out on at least 13 points in a tight game. Gurley fumbled at the goal line on the first drive, leading to a turnover. Greg Zuerlein (who made seven field goals last week) missed a chip-shot field goal. Goff then threw an interception in field-goal range on a high toss to Gurley that was tipped and intercepted by Sheldon Richardson. The Rams earned just 10 points on five possessions that went inside the Seahawks’ 20 in the first three quarters.
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