In the final hours before the Los Angeles Rams look to defend their position atop the NFC West against the Seattle Seahawks, weather has taken center stage in the leadup to pre-game narratives. As of 2 PM pacific, the probability of rain increases to nearly 100% at kickoff with gusts of wind and temps in the low-50s.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson noted that the Seahawks have intentionally practiced in similar weather in anticipation for games like this one, but the Rams will not allow any excuses for the outcome of Thursday night’s game; this is a do-or-die for the lead position in the NFC playoff picture.
If the Rams beat the Seahawks, their odds of holding the number one seed and a bye week are nearly secured.
If the Seahawks beat the Rams, then Seattle takes hold of the lead in the division and the conference. That would mean that Seattle could face the 49ers in Week 18 for the rights to everything: NFC West and number one seed. Strangely, Sam Darnold was in that exact same position against the Detroit Lions as a member of the Vikings in 2024, and he floundered.
Will the Rams help Darnold repeat his failed “big game moments” of 2024 with the Seahawks?
We get some variation of a “division title” game every year, usually more than one of them. But rare is the opportunity to actually see the two best teams square off for both the division title and the number one seed. Again, this is not officially true, but it is almost true that this is for all the marbles.
Yet on top of those stakes, the Rams and Seahawks are both just playing exceptionally great football in 2025:
- The Rams own the best offense, best offensive line, and a good defense
- The Seahawks own the best defense, best defensive line, and a good offense
For these two teams to square off under those conditions, not to mention the talent of a McVay-led offensive staff against a Mike Macdonald-led defensive staff, the attention probably then moves over to what happens when Seattle has the ball against the L.A. defense.
If rock-meets-hard place when the Rams have the ball, will the Rams be able to intercept Darnold four times again as they did in Week 11?
That could be what determines the winner of Thursday Night Football.
But the X-factor is special teams.
The Seahawks lead the NFL in special teams EPA and most likely they have the best special teams unit in the league this year. Conversely, special teams has often been L.A.’s Achilles heel and directly led to two of their three losses this season.
Ironically though, special teams saved the day in Week 11 as Ethan Evans kicked the punt-of-his-life to dash Seattle’s last minute hopes.
So what are your last minute hopes, thoughts, expectations, and wishes?
Use the forum here to talk about your thoughts about Rams-Seahawks less than three hours to kickoff. Scroll down the comments below and share your final thoughts on what could be the absolute game of the year.
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