Seattle Seahawks December preview and predictions
By Jake Luppino
Seattle closes out the month of December in a huge divisional game against the Rams
Sunday, December 27, 2020: Week 16 — Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
This Week 16 matchup has the potential to be the game of the week. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game gets flexed to Sunday Night Football. In Week 16, the Rams and Seahawks could be battling for first place in the NFC West. On top of that, they could also be battling for the number 1 seed in the NFC. The last time these two teams met, the Rams dominated for nearly 3 quarters.
If you remember, the Rams got a field goal on their opening drive and Seattle answered with a well-scripted drive that resulted in a touchdown. After that, things started to get ugly for Seattle as Wilson made some unforced errors and didn’t capitalize off defensive turnovers. The Rams have ridden the coattails of that defense all year long and will once again look to do that in this one against the Seahawks. Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd will look to hunt down Wilson while Ramsey tries to contain Metcalf in the backend.
I know many will be high on the Rams in this matchup and quite frankly, I know 12s wouldn’t want it any other way. When Seattle faced the Rams in LA, this team was banged up. Granted, that excuse only goes so far, but it does hold value when you are missing instrumental pieces on offense. Both Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde were out. We saw the impact that Hyde had in that game against Arizona in Week 11. Also, Seattle hesitated to look at Metcalf in the first matchup. That will not happen again.
What Will Determine the Outcome: D.K. Metcalf’s Revenge Game
Jalen Ramsey was feeling himself after the first victory over the Seahawks as he felt he locked down D.K. Metcalf. While the stats may back that up, the reality is Seattle was scared to throw in his direction. The one time Wilson targeted Metcalf on Ramsey was on a go route where Metcalf had a step or two on Ramsey and simply just dropped the ball. It was quite shocking to see that hesitant approach as in Week 2, Wilson went right after Stephon Gilmore.
I know the pressure was getting to Russ and he wasn’t able to keep his eyes down the field for that long, but many 12s were disappointed in the lack of targets Metcalf received. Metcalf himself was visibly frustrated as he feels no one can guard him. Well, in Week 16 expect the Seahawks to play fearlessly. They will not play recklessly; they will play fearlessly. Let’s be honest, the Rams knew Seattle had no rushing attack and so they focused on stopping the deep ball. With Carson and Hyde in the backfield, this team will have to be honest up front, because if they are not, Seattle will run the ball down their throat. This Seattle offense will look different this time around.
On the defensive side of the ball, you can expect both Shaq Griffin and Quinton Dunbar in the back end along with Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. We saw Jared Goff fold under pressure in the Week 12 defeat to the 49ers. If Seattle can generate enough pressure on Goff, the same result will incur. If you remember, Adams had 2 sacks on Goff in the first meeting, one resulting in a fumble.
Seahawks November review. dark. Next
In potentially the biggest game of the season, I am taking the Seahawks to win. Remember, earlier in this article, I said Wilson will be the frontrunner heading into the month of January. A large part of that will be due to his stellar performance against the Rams in Week 16.
51. 31. 36. Prediction. 28