| Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll embrace after Seattle's miracle win over the Packers on Monday. The Seahawks will have to put the controversial win behind them as they go into St. Louis. (US Presswire) |
Seahawks at Rams -- Week 4
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis (FieldTurf, indoors)
When: Sunday 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Seahawks by 3
Forecast: Room temperature (indoors)
Records: Seahawks (Overall: 2-1, NFC West: 0-1); Rams (Overall: 1-2, NFC West: 0-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 12, 2011: Seahawks 30, Rams 13; Nov. 20, 2011: Seahawks 24, Rams 7. Series record: Seahawks lead 18-10.
What matters: Road wins. If the Seahawks are going to be a playoff contender, they're going to have to figure out how to win on the road. Including Sunday's game at St. Louis against the Rams, the Seahawks play four of their next five games on the road in three different time zones. The Hawks have struggled in road games, going 6-20 since 2009. The good news is that two of those six wins came against the Rams.
Who matters: RB Marshawn Lynch. As long as Beast Mode keeps Beast Moding, the Seahawks' offense is going to be tough to stop. Lynch leads the NFC in rushing yards (305) and is second in the NFL in carries (72). Rookie QB Russell Wilson doesn't seem to mind handing the ball off to Lynch all game either. "I think we're doing a good job of handing the ball to Marshawn and letting him do his thing," Wilson said this week. Lynch could have a big game going against a Rams' defense that surrenders 120.7 rush yards per game, which ranks 22nd in the NFL.
Key matchups: Seahawks front four vs. Rams offensive line. Chris Clemons, Bruce Irvin and Brandon Mebane combined for eight first-half sacks in Monday night's win over the Packers. As unlikely as it seems, the trio might be even more successful this week going against a patchwork Rams offensive line that has allowed 12 sacks this season -- the second-highest in the NFL. The only quarterback who has been sacked more is Aaron Rodgers, and that's mostly thanks to the Seahawks. Half of Rodgers' 16 sacks were caused by Clemons, Irvin and Mebane on Monday.
Injuries of note: For the first time in his short career, QB Wilson will have a full fleet of wide receivers. WR Doug Baldwin (shoulder), who missed Monday's win over the Packers, is expected to play. The other big news is that OL James Carpenter is expected to see his first playing time since tearing his ACL in November. G John Moffitt (knee) is the only Seahawks player listed as doubtful.
Inside stuff: Leon Washington has been a special-teams weapon for the Seahawks. Washington is tied for first in the NFL in kick returns with a 32.5-yard average. The veteran also returns punts and is averaging 10.5 yards per return, that ranks Washington fourth in the NFL.
Stat you should know: If there's one team the Seahawks have dominated recently, it's the Rams. Seattle has won 13 of the past 14 dating to 2005. The Seahawks have also won six of the last seven played in St. Louis.
Record watch: The Seahawks have only allowed 39 points in three games, the fewest in the NFL. If Seattle can shut out St. Louis, they can top the franchise record for fewest points allowed through four games -- 41 points set in 1998.
Looking ahead: October will be a make-or-break month for the Seahawks. They play three of their four games on the road, including at Carolina, San Francisco and Detroit.
Prediction: Seahawks 20, Rams 13
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.