The Rams rode the emotion of playing what could be their last game in St. Louis to a 31-23 victory over Tampa Bay last week and showed signs of having an offense. The Rams put up their highest point total since dropping 34 on Seattle in the season opener. The Seahawks’ 5-0 SU and ATS win streak got them a playoff berth after a 2-4 start.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks -13.5
St. Louis Rams +13.5
Over/Under 42
ODDS ANALYSIS
Seattle has won seven of its last eight and is a reliable bet despite facing some huge spreads. The Seahawks have won five straight ATS, covering spreads of 14 twice and 10.5 once. They’ve also managed to score 30 or more points in five of their last six games. The line held firm while the total dropped to 40.5.
KEY INJURIES
Andrew Donnal – Is likely to miss his fifth straight game with a knee injury. He had moved into a starting role at tackle before sustaining the injury and was replaced by Greg Robinson.
Kam Chancellor – Was injured two weeks ago and sat out last weekend’s win over Cleveland with a bruised tailbone. His status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain. Kelcie McCray started in his place.
Russell Okung – Seattle’s starting left tackle exited last week’s game in the second half with a strained calf and is questionable for Sunday. He was replaced by Alvin Bailey.
KEY MISMATCH
There’s no denying how prolific Doug Baldwin has been over the last month, and in the process the Seahawks receiver has joined some elite company. Baldwin matched the franchise record for single-season touchdown receptions with his 13th, and second of the day, from Russell Wilson last week. Daryl Turner’s mark has been on the books for 30 years. Baldwin joined Jerry Rice as the only receivers in NFL history with 10 touchdown receptions in a four-game span. He also joined Cris Carter and Calvin Johnson as the only receivers with at least two touchdown catches in four straight games. Those insane numbers couldn’t happen without Wilson delivering the football, and he has. Wilson has 19 touchdown passes and a 143.6 passer rating over the past five games and is the first quarterback with three or more scoring passes and zero interceptions in that span of games.
KEY STAT
17.7 – Seattle’s points per game allowed. The Seahawks now rank second in the NFL in scoring defense after surrendering 13.8 points during their five-game win streak. They face the 31st-ranked Rams scoring offense.
BETTING ANGLE
The Seahawks have come a long way since opening the season with a loss to the Rams. Seattle is the scariest team in the NFL right now behind Wilson, who already has posted career-high totals for passing yards and touchdowns. The Pro Bowl pick remains one of the most dangerous players in the league and is the reason why the Seahawks are riding a five-game winning streak both SU and ATS. The team has gotten off to fast starts and buried opponents early, letting the defense do the rest. Only the Steelers have scored more than 13 points against the Seahawks since they suffered their last loss back in Week 10. The road team has failed to cover the spread in the past five meetings and Seattle has been too good offensively to consider backing the Rams in this spot.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Seattle is the hottest team in the NFL right now, riding a hot quarterback and a stingy defense to five straight wins, earning a chance to defend their NFC title. The Rams are enjoying a two-game winning streak, but both victories came at home. It’s a different story for them on the road, however, where St. Louis is just 1-5 SU and 1-4-1 ATS. The Rams offense has shown signs of life with Case Keenum under center. He enjoyed the most efficient of his three starts in a win last week, taking the offensive load off Todd Gurley’s shoulders. A diversified offense could pose problems for the Seahawks. St. Louis wants to control the ball and run the clock to keep Wilson and Baldwin off the field, but that’s easier said than done against a defense that has allowed just one offensive touchdown in the past three games.
Seattle 27, St. Louis 10
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