Seahawks schedule breakdown: Early preview versus Rams week 5

The Seahawks play just their second home game of the 2021 season in week five. But the Rams are never easy for Seattle either home or away. Even earlier last decade when Seattle was really good and the Rams were still finding their way, Seattle had a difficult time against the Rams.

To be honest, it always seems like an upset when Seattle beats the Rams. It’s not that the Seahawks lack the physical ability to beat Los Angeles, it’s more that the Rams seem to know they will win and Seattle is just hoping to win.

Los Angeles had a fantastic defense, to be sure, last year but Seattle should have been the better team overall. But in the playoffs, once against the Rams physically imposed themselves against Seattle. This needs to change in 2021.

Seahawks have a tough game as always versus Rams in week 5

Rams key additions: Quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver DeSean Jackson

Well, we will all find out what kind of quarterback Stafford truly is in 2021. Finally, he will play on a good team with a good running game and a great defense. Historically speaking, Stafford doesn’t have one of the better QBRs. But he is assumed to be good.

Jackson doesn’t really offer much, most likely. This offseason for the Rams was all about getting better and smarter at quarterback and Stafford should make that happen.

Rams key losses: Defensive lineman Michael Brockers, quarterback Jared Goff, more draft picks

Los Angeles cares little about draft picks. It feels like they won’t have a round-one choice until next century. But they get players who fit their system. One day, this will cost the Rams a lot of wins with aging players. But in 2021 and 2022, they will be good.

Goff for Stafford is a good move. Goff fumbled too much and could not function well on his own. Brockers is a nice pick-up and should be good playing next to Donald.

Seahawks advantages: Shane Waldron, Seahawks pass rush

The hiring of Waldron as offensive coordinator for the Seahawks should do a couple of things. One is that he has coached against the Rams defense and should know a little about how to exploit whatever weaknesses it has much better than Brian Schottenheimer ever did. The second is Waldron should be more creative than Schottenheimer.

While the Rams offensive line is decent, Stafford isn’t extremely athletic and Seattle should get a push against him. Seattle loaded up on pass rushers and should have a good rotation and that should work well against Stafford and the Rams.

Seahawks disadvantages: Rams confidence against Seattle, Aaron Donald

As stated above, the Rams have beaten the Seahawks so much lately (since 2015, Seattle is just 4-9 against the Rams) that Los Angeles players should just know they will win. Seattle still only thinks it will win.

Aaron Donald is unblockable for every NFL team but he has taken Russell Wilson down so much when he doesn’t sack Wilson it is a surprise. Donald sets the tone for the entire Rams defense and that defense is going to be really tough again this coming year.