L.A. Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks: Betting odds, lines and picks
The Rams answered many questions last weekend with a big road win over the Arizona Cardinals. Unfortunately, the luck was short-lived as the COVID chaos that ravaged the NFL also made its way to LA and affected the Rams for that matchup against the Seahawks in week 15.
The Rams are still preferred, and there’s more clarity on the list of who’s in and who’s in – along with some additions to Seattle’s list – which has all pulled the line up a bit, but is this week’s theme in the NFL Uncertainty, and this game falls within those parameters.
Seattle Seahawks at Rams (-5.5, 45) 1:25 p.m. PST Sunday; Fox
Five starters and a total of 25 players were on the Reserve / COVID list for the Rams at the time of writing, including Odell Beckham Jr., Darrell Henderson, Rob Havenstein, Jalen Ramsey and Dont’e Deayon. Chances are the Rams will get some of these guys back in time for this game as the NFL tries to figure out what to do with the relatively mild Omicron variant and the number of vaccinated players suffering from the disease.
All we can do is obstruct the game with the players we know will be playing. Cooper Kupp will be on a steady diet of goals from Matthew Stafford, just as he did all season, including 13 catches on 15 goals in defeating Arizona. Van Jefferson is a trusted WR2 option. It just depends on how the depth drops after that point.
Defensively, the Rams clearly missed Ramsey and Deayon when Kyler Murray threw to 383 yards. The pass rush intensified with four sacks and rinsed Murray several times. Tyler Lockett has been put on the Seahawks’ Reserve / COVID list, so Russell Wilson will miss his top pass catcher and most reliable receiver, which should make it easier for Los Angeles to absorb the manpower losses. DK Metcalf was also injured and restricted in practice.
The Seahawks have shown a bit of life despite what appears to be a throwaway season. They have beaten the 49ers and the Texans for the past two weeks, although anyone seems capable of beating the Texans. Seattle has scored 63 points in the last two games, which makes that 45 total interesting. COVID affects both sides of the ball for the two teams, but Stafford and Wilson have stayed up to this point to fray.
Wilson was injured in the first game between these two teams and was 11 of 16 passing for 152 yards when he was injured. The Rams had 476 yards offensive and 7.1 yards per play, but only managed 26 points by taking two out of 10 in third place, three out of five in the red zone and one interception in the end zone.
With all the moving parts, it seems difficult to bet on the spread, but the over 45 looks safer, at least as long as the two quarterbacks are able to avoid the COVID list.
Selection: Over 45
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