SEATTLE — The Los Angeles Rams (3-4) travel north to face NFC West rival, the Seattle Seahawks (4-4) on Sunday afternoon. The Rams are looking to keep the momentum rolling after back-to-back wins in an attempt to climb back to .500 and control the NFC West.
Remember the rule of five. The game is over if the Jacksonville Jaguars win that key statistical battle. For those who don’t remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Jaguars have three sacks and give up two, they are plus one. They are plus three if they get four turnovers and give up only one. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game. On average, teams that reach the rule of five scenarios win 91 percent of their NFL games.
With a season-defining win at home last week over the one-loss Minnesota Vikings, this Rams feels rejuvenated after returning both of their star wide receivers. Second-year Puka Nacua and eight-year veteran Cooper Kupp were back in the fold in a huge way, combining for 157 yards and a touchdown.
These two will be key pieces this week against a Seahawks pass defense that ranks middle of the pack in the NFL, allowing 208.1 yards per game through the air. Kupp and Nacua along with veteran Demarcus Robinson will receive heavy targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Nacua may be in more a limited role than he was a week ago, tweaking his right knee for the second time this season. He did not practice on Friday but head coach Sean McVay expects Nacua to be healthy enough to play in Seattle.
The running game is where the Rams will have the best chance at posting big numbers. The Seahawks defense ranks fourth-worst in the NFL in stopping the run, allowing an average of 148.4 yards per game.
Third-year back Kyren Williams should have find success as he is coming off a 97-yard rushing performance including a receiving touchdown. Williams has scored 10 times this season, two of which have come on a pass play. He will likely be involved in that aspect of the offense once again.
There are several inactive players for Sunday’s ballgame, starting with punter Ethan Evans (illness) and wide receiver Jordan Whittington (shoulder).
P Ethan Evans, WR Jordan Whittington + more among inactives for Week 9. ⤵️
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 3, 2024
Among the rest of the inactive players in Week 9 are nose tackle Neville Gallimore, quarterback Stetson Bennett, cornerback Tre’Davious White, running back Cody Schrader, and outside linebacker Brennan Jackson.
Be sure to follow with our live game updates.
START OF THE FIRST QUARTER:
SACK: Geno Smith sacked for a loss of four yards by Tyler Davis.
TURNOVER: Geno Smith is intercepted by Jaylen McCollough.
PENALTY: Rams flagged for holding.
PENALTY: Rams called for a neutral zone infraction.
PENALTY: Rams called for offsides.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Tied 0-0.
START OF SECOND QUARTER:
TIMEOUT: Seahawks use their first timeout of the half.
SACK: Geno Smith is sacked by Jared Verse for a loss of eight yards.
PENALTY: Seahawks flagged for offensive holding.
PENALTY: Seahawks called for delay of game.
PENALTY: Rams flagged for offensive holding.
SCORE UPDATE NO. 1: Joshua Karty nails the field goal. Rams lead 3-0.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
SCORE UPDATE NO. 2: Geno Smith finds Tyler Lockett for a 30-yard touchdown. Seahawks missed the extra point. Seahawks lead 6-3.
TIMEOUT: Rams call their first timeout of the half.
TURNOVER: Matthew Stafford is intercepted by Riq Woolen.
PENALTY: Seahawks called for offensive holding.
SCORE UPDATE NO. 3: Geno Smith connects with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 24-yard touchdown. Seahawks lead 13-3.
END OF THE FIRST HALF: Seahawks lead 13-3.
The Rams blundered the final minute of play of the first half, allowing 13 points and blowing a 3-0 lead.
The Rams found the scoreboard first with a Joshua Karty field goal late in the second quarter and were looking to enter halftime with a slim lead. The next 51 seconds would be filled with 13 points from the Seahawks including a crucial Rams turnover.
With 51 seconds remaining, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith found the end zone with a 30-yard touchdown strike to receiver Tyler Lockett that put the Seahawks ahead 6-3.
The Rams would get the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead before the end of the half, but quarterback Matthew Stafford tossed a deep ball that was intercepted with 33 seconds left. On the same play, receiver Puka Nacua would be disqualified for throwing a punch on a Seahwawks defender.
Smith would drive his team back down the field and find Jaxon-Smith-Njigba for a touchdown score with five seconds left in the half. In less than 60 seconds, the Rams allowed a pair of touchdowns to cough up a three-point lead right before halftime.
The Rams were unable to generate much on offense through the first two quarters of play,. Leading receiver Cooper Kupp has 81 yards at the half and has been the only bright spot for the Rams offense so far in the game.
A big second half is needed from Stafford and the running game to comeback from a 10-point deficit.
START OF THIRD QUARTER:
PENALTY: Seahawks called for defensive holding.
PENALTY: Rams flagged for illegal motion.
PENALTY: Seahawks called for defensive pass interference.
SCORE UPDATE NO. 4: Matthew Stafford hooks up with Demarcus Robinson for a 1-yard touchdown score. Seahawks lead 13-10.
PENALTY: Seahawks called for a false start.
SACK: Geno Smith is sacked by Byron Young for a loss of four yards.
PENALTY: Seahawks flagged for offensive holding.
PENALTY: Seahawks called for illegal contact.
PENALTY: Rams called for offensive holding.
TIMEOUT: Seahawks call their first timeout of the half.
PENALTY: Seahawks flagged for roughing the passer.
SCORE UPDATE NO. 5: Joshua Karty kicks the field goal. Rams and Seahawks are tied, 13-13.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Game is tied, 13-13.
START OF FOURTH QUARTER:
PENALTY: Rams called for defensive pass interference.
SCORE UPDATE NO. 6: Geno Smith is intercepted by Kamren Kinchens for a 103-yard pick-six touchdown score. Rams lead 20-13.
SACK: Geno Smith is sacked for a loss of 10 yards.
TURNOVER: Ty Zentner’s punt is blocked. Seahawks take over on the Rams’ 19-yard line.
SACK: Geno Smith is sacked by Quinten Lake for a loss of zero yards.
TURNOVER: Geno Smith is intercepted by Kamren Kinchens for the second time.
SACK: Geno Smith is sacked by Braden Fiske for a loss of six yards.
PENALTY: Seahawks flagged for offensive holding.
PENALTY: Seahawks called for a false start.
PENALTY: Rams called for offensive holding.
TIMEOUT: Seahawks use their second timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Seahawks call their third and final timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Rams call their first timeout of the half.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
SACK: Geno Smith is sacked by Braden Fiske for a loss of 14 yards.
TIMEOUT: Rams call their second timeout of the half.
SCORE UPDATE NO. 7: Geno Smith finds Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 14-yard touchdown strike. Rams and Seahawks are tied 20-20.
PENALTY: Seahawks flagged for defensive pass interference.
END OF THE FOURTH QUARTER: Rams and Seahawks are tied, 20-20.
OVERTIME:
TIMEOUT: Rams call their first timeout of overtime.
TURNOVER: Kenneth Walker III is stopped before the line to gain. Seahawks turn it over on downs.
SCORE UPDATE NO. 8: Matthew Stafford finds Demarcus Robinson for a 39-yard touchdown. Rams lead 26-20.
FINAL SCORE: Rams win in overtime, 26-20.
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