Week 5 of the 2019 NFL season will kick off with a terrific matchup on Thursday Night Football. The Los Angeles Rams will be in Seattle to take on the Seahawks in a battle of two of the top teams in the NFC West. Both teams are 3-1 so far this season, but they have both had their fair share of struggles along the way.
Los Angeles jumped out to a 3-0 start to the season, but they suffered an embarrassing upset loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. The Rams will need to regroup in a hurry to take on the Seahawks in Seattle. The Seahawks are just 1-1 at home so far this season, with their lone loss coming to the New Orleans Saints. Seattle will be a 1.5-point favorite in this divisional matchup on Thursday night.
Rams Need Their Defense to Show Up
The Los Angeles Rams had one of the best defenses in the NFL a season ago, but they were absolutely torn apart in the Week 4 loss. Los Angeles is now giving up 26.0 points per game this season, and their best defensive player has yet to play well. Aaron Donald has recorded just one sack so far this season and will need to find a way to disrupt Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense in this game.
Quarterback Jared Goff threw for over 500 yards in Week 4, but it wasn’t enough to lead his team to victory. The Rams are averaging 298.0 passing yards per game so far this season, but they are still struggling to run the ball. Todd Gurley is averaging 4.5 yards per carry this season, but the Rams are trying to limit his carries.
Wilson The Key To Seahawks Offense
Wilson continues to carry the team on offense, but he is going to need some help from his teammates. Wilson has completed 73 percent of his passes so far in 2019, and he has the ability to make plays with his legs as well. The Seahawks have been running the ball well this season as well, averaging 111 yards per game. Seattle isn’t explosive on offense, but it can score points.
Seattle is allowing just 22.3 points per game so far this season, but they could be even better, especially at home. The “Legion of Boom” is gone in Seattle, but head coach Pete Carroll still knows how to prepare his defense. The Seahawks will need to find a way to slow down the Rams passing attack, while also stopping Gurley in this game.
Seattle Gets Huge NFC West Victory
Both of these teams have been very inconsistent this season, but this should be a terrific matchup. Neither team will want their second loss of the season in this game, and it should be tight throughout. Los Angeles has a huge edge in offense in this game, but their defense just has not shown up this season. Seattle struggles to score at times, but their defense is usually terrific at home. Bet the Seattle Seahawks -1.5 over the Los Angeles Rams to win this huge matchup on Thursday night.
