Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks Picks and Predictions January 5th 2025

Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks January 5th 2025

FOX will broadcast the week 18 NFC West matchup between the Seahawks and Rams from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. The game is set for 4:25 ET, with the Seahawks favored at -5.5 on the road. The Seahawks’ money line odds are -241, while the Rams are at +197. The over/under line is currently at 39 points for this one.

Seattle vs. Los Angeles Key Information

• Teams: Seahawks at Rams
• Where: SoFi Stadium Inglewood
• Date: Sunday, January 5th
• Betting Odds SEA -241 | LAR +197 O/U 39

The Seahawks Can Win If…

Seattle heads into week 18 with a 9-7 record, putting them 2nd in the NFC West. They rank 17th in our power rankings and have a +0.1 scoring margin this season. Against the spread, the Seahawks are 6-9-1 and have failed to cover in three straight games. Their O/U record is 8-8, with their games averaging 43 points compared to an average line of 45.1.

After two straight losses, Seattle got back in the win column with a 6-3 victory over the Bears in week 17. The Seahawks couldn’t cover as 4-point favorites, but the combined 9 points easily hit the under. Before that, they had lost to the Packers and Vikings in weeks 15 and 16.

Heading into week 18, the Seahawks rank 21st in our offensive power rankings. They are 18th in the NFL in scoring, averaging 21.6 points per game, and 14th in yards per game with 331.9. Seattle has leaned heavily on the passing game, ranking 7th in both passing attempts (35.4) and passing yards (238.1) per game, while sitting 25th in rushing attempts and 30th in rushing yards, averaging 93.8 per game. On 3rd down, they rank 21st in the league with a conversion rate of 36.7%, but they have been efficient in the red zone, converting 43.6% of their trips, which ranks 3rd in the NFL.

Geno Smith threw for 160 yards on 17/23 passing in week 17, after his 314-yard, 3-touchdown performance in week 16. Zach Charbonnet led the team with 57 rushing yards on 15 carries, and Noah Fant had 4 catches for 43 yards. Seattle scored just 6 points against the Bears, all in the first half, after scoring 24 points in week 16 and 13 in week 15.

Seattle’s defense was dominant in their 6-3 win over the Bears, allowing just 76 yards passing and forcing seven sacks. The Seahawks limited Chicago to 3-of-9 on third down and intercepted one pass. The Bears managed only 103 yards rushing on 23 attempts.

Seattle’s defense also had the upper hand in the trenches, with a +3 advantage in QB hits and a +5 margin in tackles for loss. The Seahawks didn’t allow a touchdown and held the Bears to a 57.1% completion percentage.

• Across Seattle’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 0-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Across Seattle’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. Against the spread, Seattle went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Rams Can Win If…

With five straight wins, the Rams have locked up the NFC West and secured a playoff spot. After a week 12 loss to the Eagles, they bounced back with victories over the Saints, Bills, 49ers, Jets, and Cardinals. This streak puts them at 10-6, including a 4-1 record in the division.

Heading into week 18, the Rams rank 11th in our power rankings. They have an average scoring margin of -0.9 points per game and are 8-8 against the spread. Their O/U record is 7-9, with the under hitting in three straight games.

Heading into week 18, the Rams sit 13th in our offensive power rankings. They are 19th in the NFL in points per game (21.4) and 17th in yards per game (326.9). LA ranks 14th in passing yards per game (221.8) and 23rd in rushing, with 105.1 yards per game on the ground. They are 20th in 3rd-down conversions and 21st in red zone conversion percentage, despite ranking 8th in red zone attempts.

Matthew Stafford threw for 189 yards in week 17, completing 17 of 32 passes without a touchdown or interception. Puka Nacua had 10 catches for 129 yards, and Kyren Williams rushed for 56 yards on 13 carries. The Rams scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter and 3 in the 4th against the Cardinals.

In their 13-9 win over the Cardinals, the Rams’ defense was able to come up with two interceptions, despite allowing Arizona to convert on 46.2% of their third down attempts. The Rams gave up 283 passing yards and 113 rushing yards on 22 attempts (5.1 yards per attempt). Arizona finished with 396 total yards, but the Rams’ defense tightened up when it mattered most, holding them to just nine points.

Los Angeles’ defense also recorded four sacks in the game and had a good day in terms of putting pressure on the quarterback, as they had a +4 advantage in QB hits and a +1 advantage in tackles for loss. The Rams’ defense did a good job of limiting big plays, as Arizona averaged just 5.9 yards per pass attempt.

• The Rams have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Against the spread, they have gone 1-2 and logged an over-under record of 2-1 in these games.
• The Rams have gone 7-3 over their last ten regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Lean

For this week 18 matchup between the Rams and Seahawks, we have the Rams coming out on top by a score of 23-15. With the point spread sitting at 5.5 points in favor of the Rams, we like them to not only win but cover as home underdogs.

As for an over/under pick, we are leaning towards taking the under, with a projected combined score of 38 points and the O/U line at just 39 points.

Seahawks Chase 10th Win in Finale Against Stingy Rams

The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams will close out their regular seasons with different motivations as they face off on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif. For the Rams, who have already clinched the NFC West title, it’s a chance to rest key players ahead of the playoffs. For the Seahawks, it’s an opportunity to reach 10 wins and finish the season strong despite missing the postseason.

Rams Resting Key Players

Rams coach Sean McVay announced backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will start in place of veteran Matthew Stafford, who will sit out to prepare for the playoffs. While Garoppolo gets the nod, McVay has yet to confirm which other starters will join Stafford on the sideline.

The Rams (10-6) have relied heavily on their defense during their current five-game winning streak. First-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula has orchestrated a unit that has allowed fewer than 10 points in three consecutive games, a feat last achieved by the franchise in 1975.

Stafford, who threw for 189 yards in last week’s 13-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals, expressed pride in the defensive effort:
“I want to make more plays to make sure they don’t have to do as much as they did,” Stafford said. “But I’m proud of them. It’s awesome to watch where they were in training camp to where they are now.”

With a win, the Rams will secure the NFC’s No. 3 seed but could drop to No. 4 with a loss.

Seahawks Aiming to Finish Strong

The Seahawks (9-7), under first-year coach Mike Macdonald, are focused on ending the season with a victory despite falling short of playoff contention.

“Right now is the time to … put our best foot forward, get to 10 wins,” Macdonald said. “Once the season’s over, we’ll digest all that stuff and make the proper conclusions.”

Macdonald made it clear the Seahawks will not rest any players. The team views this game as an opportunity to set a standard and show their character, regardless of playoff implications.

Key players have personal milestones within reach. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just five catches shy of breaking Tyler Lockett’s single-season franchise record of 100 receptions, set in 2020. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams is one sack away from being the first Seahawk to reach double-digit sacks since 2018, and quarterback Geno Smith can still earn contract incentives with a strong performance.

Injury Updates

The Rams reported only one absence in practice early this week, with offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (shoulder) sitting out. Meanwhile, the Seahawks had a few key players miss Wednesday’s practice, including offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (abdomen/knee), tight end Brady Russell (foot), and cornerback Josh Jobe (knee).

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Defensive Duel Expected

While the Rams’ offense has struggled during their winning streak, failing to surpass 21 points in four of their past five games, their defense has been dominant. This clash between the Rams’ stingy defense and a Seahawks team looking to assert itself offensively will likely define the game.

As Seattle seeks to reach double-digit wins for the first time since 2020, both teams will aim to make a statement in their final regular-season outing.