TV/Radio: FOX (Ch. 11)/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 384, 226
Line: Seahawks by 5½
Notable injury designations: Rams: WR Cooper Kupp (out; hamstring), QB Stetson Bennett IV (out; shoulder), TE Hunter Long (out; thigh). Seahawks: S Jamal Adams (out; knee), G Damien Lewis (questionable; shoulder), RB Kenny McIntosh (out; knee), CB Devon Witherspoon (questionable; hamstring)
What’s at stake? The Rams are hoping to shake the ghosts of a largely noncompetitive season in 2022 and prove that was more of an injury-induced fluke than an indication of a rebuild. The battle to do so became more of an uphill battle with the loss of Kupp for at least the season opener, but even a competitive performance in a loss against a Seattle team that went to the playoffs a year ago would be a good morale boost for the Rams and their collection of young players.
Who’s better? On paper, it’s the Seahawks. Seattle has a strong veteran core led by QB Geno Smith and former Ram linebacker Bobby Wagner, and is complemented by a talented group of high-end draft picks like RB Kenneth Walker III, Witherspoon and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Rams still have premium players like DT Aaron Donald and QB Matthew Stafford, but lack the overall roster depth that Seattle enjoys.
Matchup to watch: The Rams defensive backs vs. the Seahawks receivers. The Rams went for a youth movement in the secondary, moving on from several veteran contributors from last season. So for safeties Jordan Fuller and Russ Yeast and cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick, this opening matchup with the Seattle receiving corps presents a particular challenge. The 6-foot-4 DK Metcalf is an imposing and explosive threat, while veteran Tyler Lockett is a savvy operator with a knack for finding open space. And Smith-Njigba was one of the more talented receivers to come out of college in recent years.
Rams win if: RB Cam Akers is able to establish the run game and create some open room for the Rams’ young receivers to operate. … The defensive line can put pressure on Smith, whose completion percentage dropped 18 points when under duress in 2022.
Fantasy sleeper: All eyes will be on Van Jefferson, but rookie WR Puka Nacua impressed the Rams during the offseason and training camp with his grasp of the offense. He’ll get an early chance to play due to Kupp’s injury, and could make it so that it’s hard to keep him off the field even Kupp returns from the injured reserve some time after Week 4.
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