Another wild and wacky game between the Seattle Seahawks and LA Rams saw the Seahawks on the short end of a 20-10 loss to the Rams. The Seahawks have had mixed success against the Rams, winning last season’s regular-season finale then losing the playoff game in a fan-less Lumen Field. The away record is even more dismal. The last time the Seahawks beat the Rams in a road game was a 16-10 victory on October 8th, 2017. Yes, it’s been that long.
COVID IMPACT
The COVID -19 impact played a significant role in not only the game being moved from Sunday to Tuesday but the availability of three starters for the Seahawks. Leading receiver Tyler Lockett, cornerback D.J. Reed, and right tackle Brandon Shell joined the other seven players that did not participate in the game due to the virus.
A GREAT DEFENSIVE START
Despite missing Reed, the Hawks defense played one its best games of the season. Blake Austin stepped in for Reed and was part of a swarming defense that held the Rams to just one field goal in the first half. Quandre Diggs’s fifth interception of the season in the first quarter also contributed to the stifling defense. Carlos Dunlap kept the pressure on Rams quarterback Matt Stafford all night and the result were three sacks.
SECON HALF ADJUSTMENT
Stafford found success in the second half by going up-tempo, changing the blocking scheme, and confusing the Seahawks defense by moving the Pro Bowl wide receiver around the line of scrimmage. At times Kupp would line up as blocking tight end then release in the open field. Other times Kupp would split left or right and cut back inside just behind linebackers Bobby Wagner and Jordy Brooks. Kupp finished the game with nine receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. One tied the game and the other td receptions a 29-yard reception in the fourth won the game for the Rams.
COSTLY PENALTIES
Despite their lackluster performance the Seahawks had a chance to win the game but made crucial mental mistakes . Bless Austin was flagged for defensive holding on LA’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. The penalty gave the Rams an automatic first down and saw them score six players later on the Kupp game-winning td reception.
Rashaad Penny was flagged for a false start on 3rd and 1. The penalty moved the ball five yards back and the Seahawks offense was unable to gain the first down.
SAME OLD FOR THE OFFENSE
A broken record it is and a broken record it shall be played. The offense’s inability to convert on third down saw the unit run just 19 first-half plays for a grand total of 79 yards. Despite the dismal display a 39-yard field goal by Jason Myers before half saw the Hawks step into the halftime break tied at 3-3. An impressive 11 play 75-yard drive that was ended with a Dee Jay Dallas four-yard touchdown run made believers out of Seahawk Nation. As has been the case all season long, the hope was short-lived. After scoring the touchdown to start the second half the Seahawk’s offense became predictable. Running plays to Dallas and Penny were between the tackles with the same blocking scheme that yield minimal results due to the Ram’sdefensive adjustments.
The passing game was worse. Ram defensive lineman Aaron Donald moved around the defensive line and rushed Wilson from different angles. The Rams defensive backfield alternated from zone marking to man-man confusing the Seahawks route runners and frustrating D.K. Metcalf finished the game with just six receptions for 52 yards. The result was another dismal offensive showing that saw the Seahawks punt three times surrender the ball on downs and an interception to enable the Rams to line up for the victory formation for another win over the Seahawks.
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