It’s a showdown in the NFC West at high-noon (well, 4:25 PM EST) this Sunday at CenturyLink as the undefeated Rams are a solid touchdown favorite against the once relevant Seahawks. Will LA extend their winning streak to five games, or will The 12 elevate their squad to a three game run and change the minds of naysayers that state this team has entered “has-been” status?
NFL Futures currently price the Los Angeles Rams at +275 to win Super Bowl 53, +115 to win the NFC Championship, and strong -5000 favorites to win the NFC West Division. The Seattle Seahawks, are given +12500 to win the 2019 Super Bowl, +3500 to win the NFC Championship, and +900 to win the NFC West Division.
Game total (O/U) bettors take note, the Rams have scored more points than the last game in each and every one of its four outings this season. If that trend continues, expect their side of the scoreboard to extend passed 38-points, which they put up against the Vikings who kept it close (sort of) with 31-points of their own in Week 4. While Minnesota was the first this season to stick it to single-digits against the dominant Rams, Seattle offense doesn’t compare to that of the Vikings, so LA may not need to keep building on their game-after-game total.
Regardless, LA’s offense is just nuts at the moment. In Week 4, Jared Goff threw for 465 yards and five TDs, while wide receivers Cooper Kupp, Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, each pulled in and ran for over 100 yards and scored. Seattle defense will have their hands full in keeping the ball out of the Ram’s WR staff’s own hands.
On the season thus far, the Rams are both 1-0 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) when playing on the road. Going back further, Los Angeles is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games away from home.
Betting on the Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
Yes, Seattle is on a two-game run after beating the Cardinals and Raiders, but neither win was all that authoritative. Russel Wilson completed 19 of 26 passes for 172 yards and zero TDs in Sunday’s 20-17 win over Arizona. Wilson also ran for 21 yards, while running back Mike Davis (in place of injured Chris Carson) provided full support with a solid 101 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Additional contributions came from rookie RB Rashaad Penny who carried nine times for 49 yards and debuting wide receiver Doug Baldwin who made five catches for 41 yards. While Wilson’s teammates stepped up in their Week 4 win, Seattle’s offense as it is has little hope against the Rams’ rightfully boastful defense.
Heading into this Week 5 game, the Seahawks are both 1-0 SU and ATS when playing from the comforts of CenturyLink Field.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rams extend their 2018-19 season campaign to a 5-0 record, beating home team Seattle by a score of 31-23 to cover the spread.
