Seahawks versus Rams week 16: 3 matchups that will determine who wins

Here are three matchups to watch when the Seahawks play the Rams in week 16.

The Seahawks can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Rams. Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot with a victory over Seattle. Seattle is 3-8 against the Rams in the last 11 meetings so no 12 can feel safe about this game.

But the outcome of Sunday’s game will come down to these three matchups.

D.K. Metcalf versus Jalen Ramsey

This is probably the most obvious one and the one most discussed. D.K. Metcalf was pretty successful as a rookie against Ramsey in week 14 of 2019 after Ramsey had been traded for mid-season last year. Metcalf caught all six of his targets for 78 yards. It is important to note, though, that Metcalf averaged just 13 yards a catch in that game.

This year, Ramsey basically shut Metcalf down but this was a weird game. Seattle lost to the Rams 23-16 in week 10 but were without all their starting-caliber running backs (i.e., no Chris Carson, no Carlos Hyde, no Rashaad Penny) and still Russell Wilson failed to target Metcalf in the first half. Odd.

There is no way that Wilson fails to target Metcalf early on Sunday. Ramsey is a great corner, though, so what success Metcalf has against Ramsey will definitely help determine the outcome of week 16.

Rams receivers versus the Seahawks cornerbacks

Los Angeles is going to run the ball a lot because they are good at it and it helps keep Rams quarterback Jared Goff from being under pressure as much. But the Rams will be without Cam Akers this week and he has been a very good rookie.

In the first half of week 10, the Rams controlled the pace of play and the game by throwing the ball over the middle. Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin missed that game. Tre Flowers and Quinton Dunbar won’t play for Seattle in week 16 and that is OK.

D.J. Reed has been very good starting opposite Griffin and Ugo Amadi  (who played in week 10 but was coming out of missing three straight games with an injury) is a good nickelback. If Seattle’s cornerbacks play really well on Sunday, they will not only lead the Seahawks to a win but could get an interception or three.

Brian Schottenheimer versus Brandon Staley

Besides Russell Wilson, the one person who will dictate if Seattle wins or loses on Sunday will be offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Schottenheimer will come into the game with a clear plan. The problem is that Seattle adjusts in-game slowly both on offense and defense.

If Schottenheimer prepares a plan well and gets his team to execute, Seattle wins. If Rams defensive coordinator Staley guesses correctly at the start of the game and Seattle can’t score points, the Seahawks are in trouble. Plus, Staley has shown the ability to adjust during games this season so Seattle must score early to win the game.