Rams Keys to Victory: Week 2 vs. Seahawks

Keys to Victory: Week 2 vs. Seahawks


By Myles Simmons

[www.therams.com]

The Rams will kick off professional football in Los Angeles for the first time in over two decades on Sunday against the Seahawks. Here are three keys for a Rams victory to even their record at 1-1.

1) More offensive production

'The numbers from the Week 1 loss speak volumes: 185 total yards, 10 first downs, 3-of-15 on third down, and zero points. Clearly, the Rams need to increase their offensive production against the Seahawks in order to have a successful outing on Sunday.

While that certainly involves getting running back Todd Gurley going, Los Angeles must do a better job of making plays in the passing game in order to keep the Seahawks’ defense honest. Many times, the unit will plug in safety Kam Chancellor in the box to start out with eight players there. It’s one reason why Seattle led the league in rush defense last year, allowing just over 81 yards per game.

When the Rams beat the Seahawks in Seattle last December, a key play was wide receiver Kenny Britt’s 28-yard touchdown. L.A. could use a few of those explosive plays in order to open up some running lanes for Gurley.

2) Collapse the pocket, get after Wilson

One of the factors that makes quarterback Russell Wilson so effective is his ability to make something happen with his feet when a defender breaks into the pocket. He’ll run around, make a few men miss, and then fire a ball down the field to a receiver who has — somehow — gotten open.

Even with an ankle injury, Wilson remains a threat. The best way to combat that is to plug all open running lanes. Last week, quarterback Blaine Gabbert burned the Rams by scrambling up the middle, earning a few first downs that way. This week, Los Angeles has to ensure not only the middle is closed, but also the outside. And once that happens, if the Rams’ defense can surround him, they’ll be able to bring him down.

The Rams have had success with this in the past, as they sacked him a total of 10 times across two games last year.

3) Get turnovers, capitalize on them

The Rams are at their best when they get takeaways and then turn them into points. In last year’s home opener against Seattle, the Rams scored got a field goal off of cornerback Trumaine Johnson’s interception. Then in Week 16, the defense returned a fumble for a touchdown at CenturyLink Field.

Generally in 2015, the Rams had plenty of success scoring off of turnovers 15 times. If Los Angeles can replicate that — particularly if the home team can score on defense on Sunday — that should certainly help the club’s chances to win.