Box score breakdown: Numbers to know from Rams vs Seahawks...

Box score breakdown: Numbers to know from Rams vs. Seahawks

Andrew Ortenberg

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Each week, we’ll be diving into the Los Angeles Rams’ box score from the previous game and highlighting several interesting and under-the-radar numbers. Here’s what we found from the Week 10 win over the Seahawks:

1. The tight ends each caught touchdowns

It’s been an interesting 2018 for Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett. They were the topic of a lot of offseason hype, and we broke down in length how tight end could be the most important position for the Rams in 2018. They had so much room to grow, but until recently had fallen very flat.

Through the first couple of months of the season, they remained footnotes in the Rams’ offense. But the last couple of weeks, both of their roles have grown, and they seem to be gaining the trust of both Sean McVay and Jared Goff. Against the Seahawks both caught touchdowns, just one week after each had their best game of the season.

It’s great to see the tight ends continuing their recent strong play, especially in the wake of Cooper Kupp’s ACL tear. Higbee and Everett will need to step up more than ever and it looks like their up for the challenge. This week’s game against the Chiefs will be a great chance for them to prove these last couple of weeks haven’t been flukes, as Kansas City has really struggled to guard tight ends this year.

2. It was Todd Gurley’s most efficient rushing day of the season

Todd Gurley has been having another Offensive Player of the Year-caliber season, but so far his performances on the ground have been more consistent than explosive. He’s consistently had good games carrying the ball, but outside of the Denver game hadn’t had too many blowup games on the ground.

Against the Seahawks, Gurley had his highest yards per carry of the season, averaging 7.5 yards per rush attempt. The Seahawks have a pretty impressive defensive line and linebackers, so it was nice to see Gurley have such an efficient day. Having success running the ball is absolutely essential for the Rams’ offense, as it sets up the play-action they love to run, and they’ll be nearly impossible to stop if Gurley can remain this consistent.

3. Russell Wilson had just 6.8 yards per attempt

It got lost a bit because the Seahawks still put up 31 points, but the secondary had their best game in a long time. Wilson only averaged 6.8 yards per attempt, and only C.J. Beathard and Sam Bradford have averaged less against the Rams this year. Every other non-Beathard or Bradford quarterback averaged at least 7.5 against the Rams, and many were closer to ten when the secondary was getting shredded on a seemingly weekly basis.

The last time these two teams met, in Seattle, the Seahawks had four completions of more than 30 yards. This time, they had zero. Last time around Marcus Peters was absolutely torched by Tyler Lockett for a touchdown, this time he played pretty solid. Overall, it was an encouraging sign from a defense that could use any reason for optimism. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come, and Peters will be able to build on this performance and get some confidence back. It’s also one less week until the return of Aqib Talib…