Rams week 5 preview: 5 questions with Seahawks Wire...

Rams Week 5 preview: 5 questions with Seahawks Wire

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

With the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks squaring off for the first time this season on Sunday, we took a peek behind enemy lines. We chatted with Dean Smith-Richard of Seahawks Wire to find out some intel about the Seahawks and what he expects in Week 5.

The Seahawks D has outplayed pretty much everyone’s expectations, weathering significant losses over the last couple seasons, with young talent stepping up and Earl Thomas showing up in the eleventh hour. Kendricks has filled in capably for K.J. Wright, but that is obviously over now. Wright should be back shortly, so that may not be the end of the world.


Losing Thomas, on the other hand, is a crippling blow. There is a conversation to be had about the safety market, and their viability in the Hall of Fame, but his credentials – both as an individual career and contributions to a team – are unparalleled and even a solid safety is a huge step down from him. Long term, the defense might be OK, but suddenly deep routes are available to Goff and company.

It seems Brian Schottenheimer has steered away from Russell Wilson’s best attribute: deep passes. What’s the thinking behind that?

That’s a question I – and most Seahawk fans – would love an answer to. The best thing I can think of is the Seahawks trying to have a “running game identity,” which is all fine and good, but that still doesn’t explain not taking advantage of Wilson’s deep ball skills, especially off play action. It worked against sub-par teams like Dallas and Arizona, but game plans like the ones used in those victories will be blowout losses to teams like the Rams.

Who’s the one offensive player the Rams have to worry about most?

Even with the above, it’s still Russell Wilson. Chris Carson and Mike Davis had good games the last two weeks, and even Rashaad Penny showed signs of life, but if (when) the play breaks down, Wilson’s ability to create and improvise is second to none.

The Rams are built from the inside out on their front seven with Suh, Donald and Brockers up front. Do the Seahawks have the interior linemen to block them?

The line is certainly better than last year, but no, not even kind of. There will likely be several plays where they hold their own and some where Wilson has to create, but there will probably be a couple holding penalties and a couple plays where Donald actually gets to Wilson/the running back before the ball does. Even more concerning is that the receiving corps is lackluster, although Doug Baldwin being back in should help. But coverage sacks come fast against the Rams, and if the receivers can’t break free, all of Wilson’s magic tricks will be for naught.

What’s your prediction for Sunday?

24-10, Rams, with that Seahawks TD coming in garbage time. I haven’t seen anything from the Seahawks this year that says they can stand with the Rams in either scheme or execution.