Rams' lethargic offense faces tough task versus Seahawks

Rams' lethargic offense faces tough task versus Seahawks
By Alden Gonzalez

[www.espn.com]

LOS ANGELES -- This was not the way the Los Angeles Rams wanted to head into their highly anticipated home opener. They were embarrassed on Monday Night Football against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, a team widely considered one of the NFL's worst this season. And now an offense that gained only 185 yards on 60 plays will go up against the Seattle Seahawks and their vaunted defense.

Things seem bleak, but there is some hope: For some reason, the Rams have actually done well against this team.

They found ways to beat the Seahawks twice last year, 34-31 to open the season in St. Louis and 23-17 in Seattle during Week 16. Now they'll be back at Los Angeles Coliseum, hoping to ride the emotional wave of a stadium that should house more than 90,000 fans. Here are six opposing players to watch, courtesy of ESPN Seahawks reporter Sheil Kapadia ...

OFFENSE

QB Russell Wilson: He suffered a sprained ankle in the third quarter of the team's Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins. Wilson is expected to start, but there's a good chance his mobility will be limited against the Rams.

WR Doug Baldwin: He picked up where he left off last season, catching nine balls on 11 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Baldwin does most of his damage from the slot. He tied for an NFL lead with 14 touchdowns in 2015.

RB Thomas Rawls: Coming off of offseason ankle surgery, Rawls carried 12 times for 32 yards (2.7 YPC) in Week 1, but Pete Carroll said he's ready for an increased workload. Rawls led the NFL in YPC (5.65) last season. It'll be him and Christine Michael carrying the load for the Seahawks.

DEFENSE

DE Michael Bennett: He had a sack and three quarterback hits in Week 1. Bennett will line up at right defensive end in the Seahawks' base look and move inside when they are in nickel. He had 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last season.

DE Cliff Avril: He had a sack and two quarterback hits against the Dolphins. Avril lines up primarily at left defensive end. He had nine sacks last season and plays with a relentless motor.

S Earl Thomas: He was not happy with the way he played in the opener. Thomas missed tackles, took poor angles to the football and didn't look like himself. But the five-time Pro Bowler has an impressive resume and will aim to bounce back in this game.