The Rams travel on to the Pacific Northwest to battle the playoff bound Seattle Seahawks in their final game of the season this week. When asked about the Seattle offense Rams DE Chris Long said, “The best offense on the planet.” But the Rams will be battling much more than just a well-oiled offensive machine that is clicking on all cylinders, the Hawks have a high pressured defense and the 12th Man is guaranteed to be loud and crazy for the 1:25pm kickoff at Century Link Field, better known as the Klink.
Seattle leads the overall series 17-11 and has won 13 out of the last 15 contests. In the last game played in St. Louis at the end of September, the Rams defeated the Seahawks by a score of 19-13. It was a hard fought battle for 60 minutes. The defining moment came in the second quarter with 1:01 remaining, rookie punter Johnny Hekker threw a two yard pass to Danny Amendola (which was set up perfectly) for a touchdown, a trick play that fooled Seattle and really was the difference in the game. Greg Zuerlein, another talented rookie on special teams, got in on the fun with four field goals.
Since their last meeting here are some of the comparisons from each top performers:
Offense:
Rushing
Steven Jackson – 246/carries 990 yards 4.0 avg 4 touchdowns
Marshawn Lynch – 297carries 1,490 yards 5.0 (tied 2nd NFL) 11 touchdowns (tied 1st in NFC)
Passing
Sam Bradford – 303 completions 509 attempts 3,450 yards 20 touchdowns 12 interceptions 83.2 rating
Russell Wilson* – 237 completions 374 attempts 2,868 25 touchdowns 10 interceptions 98.0 rating
Receiving
Danny Amendola – 59 receptions 639 yards 10 touchdowns 8.3 average
Sidney Rice – 50 receptions 748 yards 15.0 average 7 touchdowns
Defense: (total yards allowed per game)
Rams – 341.3
Seahawks – 304.5 (tied 2nd NFC)
Sacks
Robert Quinn – 9.5
Chris Clemons – 11.5 (tied 3rd NFC)
Interceptions
Janoris Jenkins* – 4 (3-touchdowns)
Richard Sherman – 7 (tied 2nd NFL)
Special Teams: – Punting
Johnny Hekker* – 45.6 average
Jon Ryan – 46.3 average
Place Kicking
Greg Zurlein* – 88 25/25 PAT 21/28 FG
Steven Hauschka 110 44/46 PAT 22/25 FG
Turnover Differential
Rams – +4
Seahawks – +12
Rams injuries:
Did not participate
RB Steven Jackson (illness)
OC Scott Wells (knee)
CB Cortland Finnegan (thigh)
LB James Laurinaitis (back)
Limited
DB Craig Dahl (knee)
Full Participation
WR Austin Pettis (shoulder)
Milestone note:
Jackson needs 10 yards to eclipse 1,000 for the season, 8th straight season
In Closing:
While the Rams need a few more pieces, in the way of players, to add to their championship foundation which is coming along quickly, they are not far from competing for the NFC West. This final game of the 2012 season is truly meaning full. They have a chance to go undefeated in the division, have an eight win season, win their fifth straight road game and establish momentum in preparing for a productive off season. I’m excited to see what this team does in free agency and the 2013 draft.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU6lrJwOV7o]
