Rams at Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams are vying for their first playoff berth since 2004 and can move closer to making that a reality when they visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Rams have a slim chance of clinching a postseason spot this Sunday, but a loss will forge a tie for first place in the NFC West and put the Seahawks in the driver's seat by virtue of sweeping the season series.
Seattle recorded a 16-10 victory in Los Angeles earlier this season, which gives Sunday's showdown the definitive feel of a must-win game. "I think so," Rams coach Sean McVey told reporters. "I think what it is, is it's a great opportunity for us, and that's the way that we look at it. ... It's going to be a great atmosphere, a great environment, and I know our guys are excited to be able to compete against a great football team, and we can't wait to get going." The Seahawks are fighting through some defensive injury issues, and coach Pete Carroll is mighty concerned about Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff, who is having a solid second NFL season. "He's playing to his potential," Carroll told reporters. "You can see him game in and game out making great throws, he's in command of the offense, he's creative with the plays that he makes, he's utilizing his players really well. He was in more of a survival mode his first year, I think, and he's not there at all anymore."
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -2.5. O/U: 47.5
ABOUT THE RAMS (9-4): Goff (3,383 yards, 22 touchdowns) and running back Todd Gurley (1,035 rushing yards) are the stars of the offense, but rookie wideout Cooper Kupp has been one of the biggest surprises of the NFL season. Kupp, a third-round pick who had 73 touchdown receptions at Eastern Washington, has set a franchise rookie record with 56 catches while his 783 receiving yards rank third among this year's rookie class. Los Angeles lost a key cog on defense when cornerback Kayvon Webster suffered a season-ending Achilles' tendon injury last Sunday but continues to get strong play from pass-rushing mainstay Robert Quinn (four sacks in his last three games) and defensive tackle Aaron Donald (team-leading eight sacks).
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (8-5): Seattle ranks eighth in scoring defense at 19.4 points per game, but middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (hamstring) and outside linebacker K.J. Wright (concussion) are in jeopardy of missing the contest. "K.J.'s in the protocol, and that's up to the (doctors)," Carroll told reporters. "Bobby's going to go all the way through the week, as he has the last couple weeks, so we'll have to wait and see. He's very upbeat and very positive, and he's planning on getting ready." Russell Wilson is experiencing a superb season with 3,527 yards and ranks second in the NFL with 29 touchdown passes.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Seahawks outscored the Rams 40-13 while winning the last two meetings.
2. Seattle TE Jimmy Graham is tied for second in the NFL with nine touchdown receptions.
3. Los Angeles WR Robert Woods (shoulder) will return after a three-game absence.