The Seahawks’ pass defense is much better since their week 10 defeat to the Rams. (Getty)
The Seahawks’ defense was struggling a lot when Seattle last faced the Los Angeles Rams on November 15.
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Statistically, the Seahawks were on their way to being the worst in NFL history, as at one point they gave up more than 362 yards per game.
In the Rams game, cornerback Shaquill Griffin was sent off with a hamstring injury, and defensive side Benson Mayowa was also eliminated. Quarterback Jared Goff started off warm, playing for 221 yards in a dominant first half for the Rams, who built a 17-7 lead.
Something has changed in the meantime, however. The Seahawks’ defense began to play better. The Rams won just 114 yards in the second half. Goff shot for just 81 yards.
This Sunday, the clash between Goff x Seahawks defense is the key to which team will win NFC West.
In early November, the Seahawks started receiving a quick pass for the first time in two years. After just 10 sacks in the first seven games of 2020, the Seahawks have managed 30 in the last seven. They had more bags during that period than any football team.
The pass defense also improved when Griffin, Jamal Adams and DJ Reed started taking the field along with Quandre Diggs, who joined Adams this week to make it to the Pro Bowl safely. Opponent defenders have averaged just 201 passing yards in the Seahawks’ last six games, with opponents being held on just 16 points per game.
For the Seahawks to beat NFC West and be a factor in the playoffs, the defense has to play at a quality level. That’s why Sunday will be the best test to see where the Seahawks are as a team. If they play well, they can be candidates for the Super Bowl. If they don’t, it can be a short trip to the playoffs.
On the other hand, Goff is the big story for the Rams. He’s been going up and down since the last game against the Seahawks, with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in the last seven games, after hitting 12 in the first four.
The Rams have scored at least 30 points in each of the first five games, but the attack has lately scored in their 20s.
The Hall of Famer Kurt Warner was on the NFL Network this week discussing Goff. He expressed concern about Rams’ offense. He observed the scout’s report that they are at their best when they run the ball, which gives Goff the chance to make play passes. That’s when Goff is at his best. Warner noted that when Goff was unable to step back, read defenses and get action passes, he fought. This was especially the case last Sunday, in an embarrassing defeat for the New York Jets.
For the Seahawks, the key is to stop the race, press Goff and stop him from taking action.
It doesn’t help the Rams that they don’t have the talented newcomer chasing Cam Akers, reducing their rotation from three players in the backfield to two. They also will not have failed to face Andrew Whitworth, who suffered a knee injury in the second half of the last clash with the Seahawks, which could leave him out until the playoffs.
Which team will have an upward or downward trend? We’ll find out on Sunday.
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