NFC West Supremacy on the Line in Los Angeles
The stage is set for an epic NFC West showdown as the Seattle Seahawks (7-2) travel to face the Los Angeles Rams (7-2) on Sunday afternoon with first place in the division hanging in the balance. Both teams enter this crucial matchup riding impressive winning streaks and boasting identical records that have positioned them as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at SoFi Stadium, where the Rams will attempt to defend their home turf against a Seahawks squad that has been virtually unbeatable on the road. The historical rivalry between these franchises adds another layer of intensity to what promises to be one of the most compelling games of the NFL season.
Road Warriors vs Red-Hot Quarterback
The Seahawks arrive in Los Angeles carrying a franchise-record 10-straight road victories, a testament to head coach Mike Macdonald's exceptional preparation and the team's mental toughness away from home. Macdonald's remarkable 11-1 road record since taking over the Seahawks includes only one defeat, which came against the Detroit Lions back in September 2024.
Standing in their way is Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is playing at an unprecedented level. Stafford made NFL history last week by becoming the first player ever to throw for four touchdowns with no interceptions in three consecutive games. His performance against the San Francisco 49ers, where he passed for 280 yards and four scores, extended his incredible streak to 20 touchdown passes without an interception over his past six outings.
Stafford's career resurgence has positioned him as a potential All-Pro candidate and has the Rams looking like serious Super Bowl contenders for the second time during his six-season tenure in Los Angeles.
Key Matchups That Could Decide the Game
All eyes will be on the battle between Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and the Rams' formidable pass rush led by outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse. This matchup carries extra significance given Darnold's struggles against the Rams defense last season while with the Minnesota Vikings.
In two losses against Los Angeles, Darnold absorbed 12 sacks, including a playoff defeat where Young and Verse combined for 2.5 of the Rams' NFL playoff-record nine sacks. How Darnold handles pressure in his first taste of this heated NFC West rivalry will reveal much about his development under Seattle's system.
On the defensive side, Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence enters the game coming off a spectacular performance against Arizona where he returned two fumbles for touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowler brings veteran leadership and playmaking ability to a Seattle defense that has recorded 19 sacks in their past four games.
Injury Updates and Series History
The Seahawks will be without starting center Jalen Sundell due to a knee injury, but several other key players are expected to suit up. Former Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (knee), cornerback Jake Jobe (concussion), and wide receiver Tory Horton (groin) all participated in limited practice and should be available Sunday.
For the Rams, wide receiver Davante Adams will play despite an oblique injury that limited his practice participation. Defensive tackle Kobie Turner is also expected to play through a back issue, though both players saw reduced practice workloads as head coach Sean McVay exercised caution.
The Seahawks hold a narrow 28-27 advantage in the all-time series, though the Rams had won three straight before Seattle's victory in last season's regular-season finale. McVay boasts an 11-6 record against the Seahawks, including a postseason win following the 2020 pandemic season.
Statistical Standouts and Fantasy Implications
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba can make NFL history by becoming the first player in the Super Bowl era to record at least 75 receiving yards in each of the first 10 games of a season. He already has six 100-yard games, just one behind Steve Largent's franchise record of seven set in 1979.
For the Rams, Cooper Kupp will face his former team for the first time since leaving Seattle. Kupp ranks among the franchise leaders in several receiving categories, including third in receptions (634) and touchdown catches (57), and fourth in receiving yards (7,776).
Fantasy football managers should keep an eye on Rams kicker Harrison Mevis, who presents intriguing upside while playing for one of the league's most potent offenses. Though he didn't attempt a field goal in his Los Angeles debut, Mevis converted all six extra-point opportunities and appears to have secured the kicking job for the foreseeable future.
The Rams' offensive line leads the NFL in penalties per game (5.13) but ranks fourth in sack rate (4.3%), creating an interesting dynamic against Seattle's surging pass rush. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has held six of their past seven opponents under 100 yards rushing, allowing just 649 yards and three touchdown runs during that span.
With first place in the NFC West at stake and both teams riding significant momentum, Sunday's clash represents more than just another regular season game—it could very well determine the trajectory of both franchises as they push toward the playoffs.
