Seahawks versus Rams week 5: Our staff predicts a surprise ending

What will happen when the Seahawks take on the Los Angeles Rams in week five? Here are our staffs best guesses of what you will watch unfold.

The Seahawks have had a lot of problems with the Rams over the Pete Carroll and that was even before the Rams got good over the last couple of years. Seattle has just so much trouble stopping Aaron Donald from sacking Russell Wilson 6 times a game when they play. Still, Seattle played Los Angeles tough twice in 2018 and could win on Thursday.

So what will happen when Seattle plays Los Angeles in week five? Here are some of our staff’s best guesses.

Blake Waldron, contributor

Russell Wilson is off to best start of his career. Wilson is 17-2 at home all time in primetime. He hasn’t lost a Thursday night game since 2012. The Seahawks are undefeated in their action green uniforms. Jared Goff has fumbled in his last 10 regular season games (seriously!) and the Rams offensive line play has plummeted into the bottom 5 of the league. Aaron Donald’s production has also decreased significantly which probably has to do with the lack of help he has gotten from the other defensive tackle spot. Todd Gurley’s efficiency and ability to pass block is in free fall. Expect the Seahawks to make a loud statement in this weeks win.

Prediction: Seahawks 30 Rams 16

Geoff Shull, contributor

The Rams have always been a problem for the Seahawks in the Pete Carroll era. Back when the ‘Hawks were the Legion of Boom, and the Rams were a continual contender for the top 5 pick in the NFL draft, they still played us tough. In the 14 matchups from 2012 to present all but four of them have been decided by a touchdown or less. I think this game will be no different. I expect a nail-biter that will go down to the final drive. The Seahawks may have a losing record of 6-8 against them recently. However, look for Chris Carson to have another big game on offense and Shaquill Griffin to continue his quiet ascension to stardom this week.

Prediction: Seahawks 31 Rams 27

Colby Patnode, contributor and host of the 12th Man Rising podcast

The Seahawks and Rams played two pretty close games last season, but the talent gap between the two teams was still obvious. Well this season, the Seahawks closed the gap and the rest of the NFL appears to have figured out a way to at least slow down this Rams offense. Todd Gurley has been irrelevant, Jared Goff bad, and the defense gave up 48 to the Bucs.

Thursday games are tricky but they almost always favor the home team. Seattle is a little healthier and has the better QB as well. It’ll be a heavy weight bout, but I think the Seahawks prevail.

Prediction: Seahawks 34 Rams 31

Lee Vowell, co-expert

OK, so I know and understand what the rest of my 12th Man Rising team is thinking, but I have to disagree. Throw everything you have seen out the window this season, just like you can every year when Seattle plays the Rams. Aaron Donald will sack Russell Wilson 2 to 3 times. Seattle doesn’t have a good answer for covering Cooper Kupp either. The game is at home but the Rams already know they can destroy Seattle at home like they did in 2017. Seattle is still not the team the Rams are if both teams play their best, though I dream of a different outcome. The surprise ending would be if Seattle wins to me.

Prediction: Rams 35 Seahawks 24