Rams
vs.
Seahawks
Week 15
NFL Pick
12/17/17
By: Jason Green
L.A. Rams (9-4 SU 8-5 ATS) vs. Seattle Seahawks (8-5 SU 5-7-1 ATS)
The Rams lost their last Game in a shootout and it sets up this HUGE NFC West match up. L.A. lost to Seattle earlier this season at home and if they lose this Game they will be tied with the Seahawks with them holding the tiebreaker. The Rams’ defense ranks a respectable 12th in the league, but they GAve up 41 points in their last Game and they need to be better in this Game in the Great Northwest.
At 5 dimes sportsbook the Seahawks are the 2.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5.
The Seahawks are also coming off a loss and they can really put themselves in great position to get back to the playoffs with a win. Russell Wilson is in the MVP debate, but he was picked off three times in the last Game and the defense GAve up 30 points. Seattle is only the slight home favorite and while their house is always a tough place for opponents to get a W they have lost two home Games on the season. They will be facing a Rams team that has won five of their six road Games.
The Seahawks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home Games facing the Rams.
The Rams were at home in their last Game and they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 41-35. The Game was a close one even though L.A. had more turnovers (2-1) and they were out-GAined 455 yards to 307 yards. Jared Goff passed for 199 yards with two TD and no INT and Cooper Kupp led the team with 118 receiving yards and he had a TD. Todd Gurley rushed for 96 yards with two TD and also had 39 receiving yards. While he has not cracked the 100-yard barrier in the last few Games he has been solid running the ball as well as pass-catching out of the backfield.
Seattle’s oNCe dominant defense is no longer and while they are still good they are not great and rank 16th in the league defending the pass and 8th defending the run.
In their last Game the Seahawks were on the road and they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-24. Seattle allowed 21 points in the 3rd quarter and while Jax only had 23 more total yards (424-401) they had three turnovers while the Jags only had one. Russell Wilson ACCounted for all three of the turnovers with three INT, but he did pass for 271 yards with three TD as well and Tyler Lockett led three players with at least 72 receiving yards with 90. Mike Davis rushed for 60 yards and Wilson had 50 and if he can get some help on offense, which has been a big issue on the season, the Seahawks will be tough to beat at home.
The Rams rank a legit 11th in the league in pass defense, but only 28th in run defense and the Seahawks will have to take advantage of that.
The Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road Games, 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Games, and in their last 6 road Games the Over record is 5-1.
The Seahawks are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 home Games vs. a team with a winning road record, 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 Games following a straight up loss, and in their last 7 Games after an ATS loss they have an Under record of 5-2.
Jason’s Pick: The Rams are for real and while they may not get the W in this Game they will keep it close and cover. Goff will play well, but so will Wilson rebounding from getting picked off three times in his last Game. Look for a close Game in this division match-up where the Rams will, at least, cover the spread.