5 Things to know about the LA Rams ahead of Week 9
The Seattle Seahawks are only a day away from taking the field against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams for the first meeting of the 2024 season. The Rams are a familiar foe, one who routinely seems to get the edge over Seattle.
The 12th Man is obviously well acquainted with the Rams, but it's time we took an even closer look in this week's edition of Behind Enemy Lines. I spoke with Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire for his take on the upcoming showdown. Our questions and his responses are below.
No. 1 - The Rams under McVay have outright owned Seattle. What is it about his scheme that makes it so hard to defend?
I think it starts with the fact that everything kind of looks the same on each play. The Rams utilize 11 personnel more than any other team, so they can run the ball or throw it out of that set and have success with either one. It makes it difficult for defenses because if they match with nickel packages, the Rams can run it with Kyren Williams. And their receivers are excellent blockers, so that makes it even easier for Los Angeles to run it out of 11.
No. 2 - The Rams were left for dead not even two weeks ago, and now it seems they're on the verge of getting right back into it. What has been the driving force behind their resurgence?
The defense has made some big strides since Week 5, in part thanks to some shuffling in the secondary with Darious Williams returning from IR. That continued in Week 7 against the Raiders and then in Week 8 in Minnesota, it was just a complete team effort. The pass rush was unstoppable, the offense was moving the chains consistently with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back and even the special teams unit came through with a good showing. The Rams were as injured as any team in the beginning of the year but they’re getting healthier now and could be dangerous down the stretch.
No. 3 - Will the outcome of Sunday's game be the determining factor if LA trades my former EWU classmate Cooper Kupp?
Former EWU classmate?! What an awesome nugget. I would joke about Kupp not being in class much but he seems like the type of student-athlete who never missed a day. Back to the question, it doesn’t sound like they’re going to trade him either way. Had they fallen to 1-6 instead of 3-4, maybe. But McVay said the Rams have no plans to trade him and they expect him to stay with the team. They’d be wise to hold him for the rest of the season, especially with the injury concerns that have surrounded Nacua’s knee all year. Even with a loss, the Rams won’t be out of it at 3-5.
No. 4 - Seattle has looked beatable as of late, but is there a Seahawk(s) who gives you concern?
There are a couple. DK Metcalf definitely would be one of them, but he won’t play so that takes one big threat away for Seattle. The Rams don’t have a cornerback who can match his size and athleticism, with their top two corners being 5-foot-11 (Cobie Durant) and Darious Williams (5-9). Limiting Metcalf would’ve been a challenge for the Rams’ secondary. The other is Kenneth Walker II. Though they’ve improved in recent weeks, the Rams have been one of the worst teams against the run this season. Walker could be in for a big day, as could Zach Charbonnet as a receiver.
No. 5 - Who do you think wins and why?
If you asked me a week and a half ago, I definitely would’ve said Seattle. But the Rams are trending up and the Seahawks are coming back down to earth after a hot start against bad teams. Now, I think the Rams can go up to Seattle and win a big one against their rivals, as long as Kupp and Nacua are healthy. They just completely change the offense, opening up things for other players such as Demarcus Robinson and even Kyren Williams, while also giving Matthew Stafford a couple of targets he trusts completely. Rams 27, Seahawks 24.