ClutchPoints
For most of the season, the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams have looked like arguably the two best teams in the NFL. Both NFC West heavyweights have taken turns blowing out inferior competition, and both enter Week 11 tied for first place in the division at 7-2.
Now, the two teams will finally face off for the first of two meetings this year, both of which will certainly have massive implications on how the NFC playoff picture looks and feels during the back half of the season. Both Seattle and Los Angeles have plenty of momentum coming into this game after blowing out the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, respectively.
The two will also square off in Week 16 in prime time, but this is the first time everyone will get a look at the matchup of two red-hot contenders. The winner will have the upper hand in the NFC West race heading into the back half of the season, so this game will be critical for both teams moving forward.
While both the Seahawks and the Rams were expected to be in playoff contention this season, both have exceeded expectations as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. So, how will this matchup look and what will decide it?
Sam Darnold has continued his career resurgence this season with the Seahawks this season and is an MVP candidate just past the halfway point. The former No. 3 overall pick is leading the most efficient passing offense in the NFL this season and is a big reason the Seahawks are outperforming expectations.
The counting numbers aren’t at the top of the league for Darnold, largely because the Seahawks have been in control of a lot of their wins in the second half and they have been killing a lot of clock. However, his efficiency numbers are the best in football. The USC product leads the NFL by a mile in completion percentage over expected and is also the leader in EPA per dropback. When he has dropped back to pass this season, there’s an argument to be made that nobody can be better.
However, there’s still a chance for the other shoe to drop. Darnold was viewed as a bust during his time with the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers before a stint as the 49ers backup. Following that, he ended up starting for the injured JJ McCarthy with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. He played very well until the very end of the season before turning back into a pumpkin in the playoffs against none other than the Los Angeles Rams.
Now, Darnold will get a chance to exorcise those demons on Sunday with first place in the division on the line. However, it won’t be easy to get through a Rams defense that has been one of the best in football so far this season.
Chris Shula’s defense comes into this game ranked fifth...
