Three Seahawks who need to thrive in Week 9 versus the Los Angeles Rams

Here we go again, people. There will be another showdown with the Rams. Los Rams have proven to be a real thorn in the side of the Seattle Seahawks for what seems like a generation now. No matter team records, head coaches, or base cities: heck, Jeff Fisher had the St. Louis Rams taking down Pete Carroll's Legion of Boom squads.

A key divisional match is on tap one week after Seattle got dominated, 31-10 at home by the Buffalo Bills. This schedule turnaround may challenge a young Seahawks team's ability to have a short memory and move to the next challenge. They'll have to, as this game will have a proportionally large bearing on the direction of the season in a tightly packed NFC West.

Both defenses: Seattle and Los Angeles are young, evolving units. How will they look against veteran offenses with shaky offensive line play? These two teams may have more in common than they know. A statement will be made by one of these teams crossing the midpoint of this season, they could be sent in opposite directions like two ships passing in the night.

Seahawks players that have to ball out versus the Los Angeles Rams

Geno Smith could be on this list every week, as the Hawks have absolutely needed him to thrive each and every week. Compensating for a leaky offensive line necessitated that. For this particular game, we will need performances from players who will be tasked with doing the gritty work.

Laken Tomlinson - Seahawks offensive guard

I mean, the head coach wore a hat. Let's all say it together: RUN THE DANG BALL. Guess what? Seattle is dead last in the NFL in rushing attempts per game. This is despite the Seahawks being top-5 in yards per carry, tied for the 3rd-most 20+ yard runs and the 3rd-most 40+ yard runs. He may have struggled a bit early on, but Laken Tomlinson has graded out as the top third in the league (36th out of 110) amongst offensive guards, according to PFF (paywall alert).

All five of the Seahawks' linemen who have started the majority of games have graded better in run blocking than in pass blocking. Ryan Grubb, take some heat off of a downtrodden offensive line my guy… read the room! These are huddled masses that need to get moving forward instead of dropping back so often. The Rams have been run on at times. If you can’t take advantage of having two second round running backs matching up against two undrafted inside linebackers for the Rams, then there is something broken.

Byron Murphy II - Seahawks offensive tackle

The Rams have guys named Logan Bruss and Beaux Limmer starting on the interior of their offensive line… No disrespect to some hard-working young men, but Byron Murphy II was considered a dynamo and the best defensive player in the draft. We need to start seeing it against league average J.A.G.S.

Unfortunately, with the return of both of LA’s major receiving threats (Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua), the Seahawks cannot afford to load up the box to stop Kyren Williams. DROY? I hope so, but here’s where you can start to build your case. Dominate and shut down an offense, like former Ram Aaron Donald used to do to Seattle so heartbreakingly often. Oh yeah, let’s make McVay regret not trading up to get you, as rumored.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Seahawks wide receiver

A huge variable in this matchup will be whether or not DK Metcalf can return from an MCL sprain. In his absence, Tyler Lockett nor Jaxon Smith-Njigba could deliver as a consistent enough weapon to keep up with the Bills. With Metcalf’s possible return, JSN could slide into a more comfortable fit as an ancillary receiver who gobbles up YAC yards over the middle. If DK sits again? Well, Smith-Njigba will be that much more vital.

The Rams aren’t deep at corner, but Darious Williams is playing good ball. These types of games are why they drafted him. You're supposed to form a dynamic duo with DK, Mr. S.-N. How did Smith-Njigba have the second-highest PFF grade (73.8) for any Seahawk last week but only six catches for 69 yards? Metcalf, Lockett, and Fant are all a little banged up, so now is the time to transfer some weight to JSN’s side. If he can't handle that here, I’m going to start getting worried about the possible irony of his jabs at Shane Waldron looking foolish now.

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