Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams: 3 Reasons They Will Beat the Seattle Seahawks

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) hands off to running back Todd Gurley (30) against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi

Last week, the Los Angeles Rams fell at San Francisco, 28-0, in embarrassing fashion. Which means they’re primed to beat the Seahawks…again.

Everyone is treated to overreaction Monday/Tuesday in the National Football League on a weekly basis during the season.

Let’s see: The Arizona Cardinals are overrated. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz will be the Rookie of the Year, and on and on. The Cleveland Browns will go 0-16. Don’t worry. It’s out there.

Given their performance on Monday night at San Francisco, it’s hard to imagine how anyone could pick the Los Angeles Rams to win this week, especially against the always-formidable Seattle Seahawks?

Here are three reasons why it will happen.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi

3. Jeff Fisher’s MO

The Rams have not been to the playoffs since finishing 8-8 in 2004 and have not enjoyed a winning campaign dating back to their 12-4 finish in 2003.

Head coach Jeff Fisher is now in his fifth season as the franchise’s sideline leader and has yet to finish with a winning mark, owning a combined 27-37-1 record. But it’s worth pointing out that the club has somewhat held its own when facing its divisional brethren – going a combined 11-13-1 vs. the Seattle Seahawks (4-4), Arizona Cardinals (4-4) and San Francisco 49ers (3-5-1).

In some way, that makes the team’s overall record even more maddening. Outside of the division, the team is 16-24 dating back to 2012.

A year ago, the Rams finished 7-9 but were 4-2 vs. their NFC West rivals, beating the Cardinals in Arizona and sweeping the Seahawks. They seem to play their best when up against a familiar foe.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Lance Kendricks (88) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (54) in the third quarter at Levi

2. Patient passing attack

In the 28-0 loss to the Niners, the Los Angeles offense managed to gain only 185 yards on 60 plays – a paltry 3.1 yards per play. Quarterback Case Keenum completed less than 50 percent of his passes (17-of-35) for 130 yards, was picked off twice and sacked twice.

Six of Keenum’s completions went to tight ends and running backs, adding up to a mere 27 yards. But you can expect the Rams to have much better success throwing underneath against the Seattle Seahawks’ formidable defense. In last week’s 12-10 victory over Miami, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill finished with just 186 yards through the air. But more than half of that (97 yards) came on six grabs from running backs Arian Foster (3-62) and Damian Williams (1-29) and tight end Jordan Cameron (2-6).

Here’s another interesting number. Including playoffs, Pete Carroll’s club has allowed 39 TD passes in 38 games dating back to the start of the 2014 season, with more than half of those touchdowns (21) thrown to tight ends.

Sep 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is tackled by Miami Dolphins defensive end Mario Williams (94) during a NFL game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Getting after Russell Wilson

Since inheriting the starting quarterback job as a rookie in 2012, Seattle’s Russell Wilson has not missed a regular season or postseason game. He’s helped Pete Carroll’s club reach the playoffs four straight years and made a pair of Super Bowl appearances (winning XLVIII, losing XLIX).

But he’s had his hands full with the Rams, both in Seattle and St. Louis. Will things now change in Los Angeles?

In eight career encounters with this divisional rival, the five-year pro has split those meetings. The numbers are pretty interesting, to say the least. Wilson has thrown more touchdown passes (9) than interceptions (6) but has been sacked an astounding 35 times in those games.

A year ago, the Rams swept the playoff-bound Seahawks and have now beaten Carroll’s club in three of the last four meetings. The Seattle offensive line had its hands full with the Miami Dolphins last week and here comes another showdown with defensive tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brocker, defensive end Robert Quinn, etc.

You know the drill. And as bad as Fisher’s team looked last Monday night, this is a matchup that he seems to be comfortable with. Upset time once again.

Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 22, Seattle Seahawks 20