NFL Betting Picks: LA Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks

The NFC West could be decided on Sunday when the Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. A Seahawks win would clinch them the division title, while a Rams win would put them in first place with one game to go. In this round of NFL betting picks, we break down this huge clash in the best division in the NFL this season.

The Rams come into this game having lost last week to the New York Jets. After falling behind by double digits early on, the Rams’ second half comeback fell short in the final minutes. Even if they were looking ahead to this week, losing to the Jets is still an embarrassing thing to have done. Because of that and the stakes of this game, expect a fired up Rams squad on Sunday.

If the Rams are going to pull off the season sweep of the Seahawks, their defense will need to play the way it did in the first meeting between these teams. The Rams forced two interceptions and a fumble from Russell Wilson in that game. In the 23-16 Rams win, the LA run defense didn’t live up to its usual standards, but the defense did prevent the potent Seahawks passing attack from getting going.

Seattle had a less than stellar showing last week as well. The Seahawks barely held on in a 20-15 win over the Washington Football Team on the road. After going up 20-3, the Seahawks gave up two fourth quarter touchdowns to open the door for Washington. Washington very nearly completed their comeback, but were stopped to allow the Seahawks to escape.

Seattle will try and limit the turnovers in this game, but will also hope that their running game can replicate its performance from their first meeting against the Rams. Seattle averaged 5.1 yards per carry against a Rams defense tied for second in yards per carry allowed this season. If they can do that again and avoid multiple Wilson turnovers, Seattle has to like its chances here.

Unfortunately for Seattle, I do not see them running the ball as effectively in this game. The Rams are allowing just four yards per play in their last three games, the best mark in the league over that span. Expect them to keep the Seattle ground game in check this week, forcing Wilson to try and force the ball down field in third and long situations.

Also, keep in mind that the Seattle Seahawks will not be able to rely on their 12th Man in this key home game. An occasion like this would typically be accompanied by some sort of record setting crowd noise at Lumen Field. Instead, the Rams will be able to call their offensive signals without impediment. That combined with their elite defense will get the job done and put them back on top of the division race.