The NFL’s Week 5 kicks off with an NFC West battle as the 2-2 Seattle Seahawks host the 3-1 Los Angeles Rams. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle, and the game will be televised by FOX, NFL Network and streamed on Amazon Prime.
Last season the teams split two games in the regular season, each winning at home before the Rams won 30-20 in Seattle in the playoffs. Dating back to 205, the Rams are 4-3 in Seattle while the Seahawks lead the all-time series 25-22.
Rams Look to Get Back on Track
The Rams offense has been fantastic in three of their four games this season with new quarterback Matthew Stafford. They lead the NFL in scoring efficiency and are averaging more than 370 yards per game so far. The over has hit in all four Rams games this season, though last week against Arizona, it was due in large part to the Rams defense allowing 37 points in a 17-point loss.
Stafford has thrown for 11 touchdowns this season, the second-most in the league, and he ranks fourth with 1,222 yards. He has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and now faces a defense that has allowed the most yards (1,778) and most first downs (107) in the first four games of the season.
Stafford’s top target is Cooper Kupp, who has 30 catches for 431 yards and five touchdowns. Robert Woods and Van Jefferson both have two receiving touchdowns, and the latter averages a team-best 17.4 yards per reception. Tight end Tyler Higbee has 15 catches for 152 yards and a score, while DeSean Jackson remains a deep threat.
The running game needs some work for the Rams as only Darrell Henderson Jr. has scored on the season, with two touchdowns. He averages 4.8 yards per carry, while Sony Michel has 126 yards for 3.7 yards per carry.
Seattle Needs a Big Home Win
The home-field mystique the Seahawks have built over the years didn’t exist in the first game as they lost a lead and fell to the Tennessee Titans in overtime back in Week 2. While the defense has struggled, allowing more than 30 points twice this season, the offense is ranked in the top 10 in touchdowns, yards per play, passing yards, and they have just one turnover in four games.
Russell Wilson is having an MVP caliber start to the season, just like Stafford. He leads the NFL with a 129.9 passer rating while also leading the league in yards per attempt at 9.6. He has completed 73 percent of his passes while throwing nine touchdowns and no interceptions.
Tyler Lockett was hampered by an injury last week against the 49ers but has 20 catches for 333 yards and three scores on the season. DK Metcalf also has three touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 285 yards, and Freddie Swain has two touchdowns while averaging 12.9 yards per catch.
Chris Carson is the only Seahawks running back with more than 75 yards on the season, but he is questionable for Thursday’s game with a neck injury. The veteran has three touchdowns and 232 yards on the season. If he can’t go, that leaves the run game to Alex Collins (73 yards) and Dee Eskridge (22 yards) and could make Seattle one-dimensional.
Betting Analysis
- Los Angeles Rams -2.5 (-110), Money line -140
- Seattle Seahawks +2.5 (-110). Money line +120
- Total: 54.5 points. Over -115, Under -105
Neither defense has been very good this season, and this game is ripe for points. The only downside is that Thursday night games can be ugly and low scoring, so something will have to give. Wilson is 9-1 in his career on TNF, the best record since 2000, but he will need the defense to slow down the Rams to avoid a second loss.
Betting Pick: Rams -2.5 (-110)
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