Game Thread: Seattle Seahawks vs St. Louis Rams (Week 1)

[Logicallylethal]

Since 2010 (Beginning of Pete's tenure) The Seahawks are 5-0 against the Rams at home and 2-3 against the Rams on the road.

These guys always managed to play us tough with their stifling defense and their masterful trickery and schemes from Jeff Fisher.

Our Hawks are once again favored coming off 2 consecutive Superbowl appearances. The Rams, just like last year, are once again dark horses to make a run at the NFC West title.

Their defensive line is one of the most intimidating units in the NFL. Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald are both ranked by ESPN Insider in the top 6 among all defensive linemen (Bennett is 8th). That is not counting Chris Long who is due for a bounce back year.

To make matters worse, the Seahawks worst unit is without question our offensive line.

It will be interesting to see how Pete schemes the offense around our weakness and their clear strength.

This should be a low scoring game, but I see the Seahawks pulling this one off. Nick Foles is solid, but he's nothing special. His great year was attributed to Chip Kelly's system and the weapons around him. The Rams, while they have some intriguing talent at WR, are not on par with the Eagles in terms of weapons at RB and WR.

Seahawks defense even without Kam, a hobbled Earl, and a question mark with Cary Williams should still dominate. Our defensive line is probably the most underrated in the NFL. We will surprise a lot of people as long as Mebane and Hill remain healthy.

20-10 Seahawks victory

 

[Tech_God]

17-13 Seahawks. It's going to look ugly in the first half but Seattle will right their ship and take the win.

 

[AZhawks]

Thank god, the time is finally here to play real football!

 

[Itsmytime]

I have a feeling the game won't be close. Something like 31-10

 

[blstoker]

Was working on mine when this was started, so I'll repost my pregame here:


Sorry guys, this is so late

Positives:

Marshawn Lynch - With the changes that have occurred at the spots behind Lynch on the depth chart, it's nice to know that the team has a known success running the ball. He will need to be at his best to get much success today behind a line that still needs to gel.

Russell Wilson - Wilson may be sacked a lot when playing the Rams, but he has a lot of success against them as well. He threw for over 500 yards and ran for another hundred against them last year.

Defense - The Rams' offense will not scare many opponents, and the Seahawks defense will once again be one of the best in the league. Cannot see the Rams putting up too much on offense today - just need to keep the big play/drive from happening.

Negatives:

Kam Chancellor - Not only is our starting strong safety not there, the drama surrounding the Pro Bowl strong safety could be a destraction that no team would need at this point in the season.

Offensive Line - Like many lines in the past, this line looks to need a lot of work. Even in recent history, the line tends to struggle early and pick it up later.

Ram's Front Seven - The Ram's sport what is arguably the best front seven in the entire NFL. They thrive against Seattle, sacking Wilson at more than a 4 per game clip.

Matchups:

Aaron Donald vs. C/G - Donald proved to be a massively disruptive force last season. Wilson has shown that he can avoid outside pressure with the best of them - but pressure up the middle will keep Wilson from being able to use his full mobility.

Jimmy Graham vs. LBs - Graham coming to Seattle gives the Seahawks a weapon they haven't had before, and will create mismatches all season. St. Louis' LBs ability to cover Graham (S & CBs as well) may give an indication on how well the Hawks offense will do today.

Benny Cunningham/Tavon Austin vs. Tyler Lockett - Last year saw a contest decided by special teams, and the Seahawks have added a legitimate threat in the return game. Field position (and possible ST scores) may play the biggest role in the game.

Overview:

On paper this should be a cut and dry win for Seattle, but the Rams have always played tough against Seattle, especially at home. Seattle remembers how that loss was handed to them last year, and have expressed a desire to rectify that situation. Even so, this may turn into a ugly low scoring affair where teh defenses will shine, but it'll probably just be some really bad offensive play. Otherwise, Seattle in a blow out. Prediction - Seattle 24 St. Louis 6

 

[gohusk]

Thank god it's finally starting. Something to get my mind off mariners baseball.

 

[Banned 10x]

Here we go, seems like forever....

I think it's a close game for most of the first half but I like the Hawks in this one running away

23-9 Hawks

 

[blstoker]

Seahawks start with the ball.

 

[blstoker]

here we go

 

[Banned 10x]

Beast

 

[Itsmytime]

LYNCH!

 

[HaroldSeattle]

First Down, great effort by Lynch.

 

[BHF]

Beeeeeeeeeast.

Who is the OBJ look alike on our sideline?

 

[blstoker]

Lynch with a Monster run

 

[Itsmytime]

Here is our first look at Jackson

 

[blstoker]

flag, hopefully offsides

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Love this drive so far.

 

[blstoker]

Nice, Jackson showing what he will bring.

 

[blstoker]

Tyler Lockett

 

[gohusk]

Go for it.