Week 16 TNF Preview: Seahawks vs. Rams

Written by: Miles Jordan •

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Seahawks vs. Rams Dec. 18

This is as big as it gets on a Thursday night.

Rams at Seahawks isn’t just a divisional showdown; it’s a potential NFC West decider with the conference’s top seed hanging in the balance. Both teams enter at 11-3, both boast elite scoring offenses backed by top-tier defenses, and both understand exactly what’s at stake in this heavyweight clash at Lumen Field.

The Rams currently hold the tiebreaker after their narrow Week 11 win in Seattle, but another Seahawks victory would flip the script and tighten the race dramatically. After a first meeting decided by inches, this rematch feels destined to shape the entire NFC playoff picture.

Seattle

The Seahawks know exactly where Thursday’s opportunity lies: finishing the job after letting the first meeting slip away. Sam Darnold endured his worst game of the season against the Rams in Week 11, throwing four interceptions, three against zone coverage. Yet even with those mistakes, Seattle outgained Los Angeles 414-249 and had the ball with a chance to win late.

Darnold wasn’t sacked in that game, but persistent edge pressure disrupted his rhythm, particularly against tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas. Cleaning up the turnovers is priority No. 1, but help is needed elsewhere. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and tight end AJ Barner were standouts in the first matchup, while the run game and several key pass catchers were largely neutralized outside of one explosive Kenneth Walker III run.

Defensively, Seattle may be peaking at the right time. The Seahawks have allowed just 25 total points over their past three games and have surrendered only one touchdown in that span. They’ve been excellent on third down and in the red zone all season, and their secondary has steadily improved. If the defense can again limit explosive plays and create pressure without sacrificing coverage, Seattle has a clear path to even the season series and reshape the NFC race.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles escaped the first meeting with a 21-19 win despite being outgained significantly, leaning on timely defense and short fields created by turnovers. Matthew Stafford continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, though the Rams could be without Davante Adams after he aggravated a hamstring injury last week. Even if Adams sits, this offense remains loaded.

Puka Nacua has emerged as the primary big-play threat, totaling 16 catches for 348 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. The Rams also feature one of the league’s deepest tight end groups, with Colby Parkinson coming off a two-touchdown performance, and a punishing two-headed rushing attack. Kyren Williams has topped 50 rushing yards in 13 of 14 games, while Blake Corum ranks second in the NFL in yards per carry (5.5, min. 100 carries).

The Rams will need that balance again on a short week against a Seattle defense that stiffens in key moments. Protecting Stafford, as they did in the first meeting when Seattle failed to record a sack, remains critical if Los Angeles wants to leave Seattle in control of the division.

Injury Report

Seahawks

This week’s Banged Up Score (BUS):

Last 4 weeks’ BUS:

Week 12: 78.6

Week 13: 78.7

Week 14: 82.7

Week 15: 84.0

Injury concerns for the Seahawks offense are primarily on the offensive line, with offensive tackle Charles Cross, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Backup wide receiver and special teamer Dareke Young was activated off IR and has no designation, so he will suit up for the game. Names that aren’t on the weekly list but have an impact on the game include tight end Elijah Arroyo, who is on IR after a season-ending knee injury in Week 14.

Rams

This week’s Banged Up Score (BUS):

Last 4 weeks’ BUS:

Week 12: 81.6

Week 13: 81.7

Week 14: 82.5

Week 15: 82.8

The LA Rams wide receiver Davante Adams is listed as questionable ahead of the TNF game against the Seahawks. Adams hasn’t missed a game yet this season, but did miss time in 2024 for a hamstring injury, which is consistent with hamstring injuries having one of the highest recurrence rates of any sports injury. The Rams will also continue to be without tight end Tyler Higbee or offensive tackle Rob Havenstein, who won’t be activated off IR for the game this week. Higbee has been on IR for four weeks with an ankle injury, and Havenstein for an ankle injury and knee bursitis. Without Higbee and with Adams either out or limited by his hamstring, expect the Rams to target wide receiver Puka Nacua and lean on running back Jalen Williams in the run game. On the defensive side, defensive end Braden Fiske is questionable, also with an ankle injury.

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