The Seattle Seahawks reaffirmed their status as the team to beat in the NFC with a dominant outing against the San Francisco 49ers. Now, things might get a little tougher, as they'll face a better and healthier team in the Los Angeles Rams.
A lot has been said of Sam Darnold and his turnover issues, and rightfully so. He had six interceptions in two games against Sean McVay's team, so they clearly know his tendencies and how to get to him. That being said, this is a team sport.
That's why everybody will have to step up to get past the Rams on Sunday. With that in mind, we're going to talk about the three players who need to step up the most to help Mike Macdonald's team get back to the Super Bowl.
3 Seattle Seahawks players who need to be great against the Rams
Rashid Shaheed
While there's no doubt that Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be the primary weapon in the passing game, he can't do everything on his own. Sam Darnold will need a speedy, big-play threat like Rashid Shaheed to get open and keep the defense guessing. He wasn't much of a factor in two games vs. the Rams last season, but that's got to change.
Shaheed had two catches on five targets for 27 yards in the first meeting and failed to haul in his lone target in the rematch. He has yet to score his first receiving touchdown as a Seahawk, and Sunday night should be the perfect opportunity to change that. Also, he's already shown what he can do on special teams with his speed and elusiveness.
Devon Witherspoon
While Devon Witherspoon is a top-three cornerback, and the Seahawks will need him to take things up a notch against the Rams. They have a deadly one-two punch in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and while both of them can do plenty of damage in the slot, Witherspoon needs to shut them down when they line up outside.
Witherspoon was the highest-ranked cornerback in the league this season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). While not much of a ball-hawk, he's elite at disrupting everything that comes his way, logging seven passes defensed this season. Matthew Stafford has thrown seven picks in his last seven games, so the opportunity will be there.
Kenneth Walker III
Coach Macdonald just confirmed that Zach Charbonnet will be out for the long run with a season-ending knee injury. The Seahawks can elevate Cam Akers from the practice squad, but even if they do, Kenneth Walker III will be in charge of doing most of the heavy lifting.
Walker is going to be a free agent, so this game will be the ultimate audition tape to prove why the Seahawks -- or anybody else -- should spend big bucks on him. He rushed for 167 yards and two scores against the Rams this season, including a 55-yard explosion in their last meeting. With Darnold's turnover issues and Charbonnet out, he might be the team's primary weapon.