The Seattle Seahawks take on the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional matchup on Thursday Night Football. The Seahawks sit at the bottom of a highly competitive division, but who needs to step up for them to go 3-2?
The unfortunate issue for the Seattle Seahawks is that the NFC West contains two of the frontrunners in the NFC this year. This week they take on the Los Angeles Rams, a team that is tipped to reach the Super Bowl, in their second divisional game, and one that could define their season.
Should the Seahawks prevail in the game at home, they could jump to second in the division and really bring themselves back into contention for the NFC West crown, reigniting their playoff hopes. To get past the Rams will not be easy as the team is stacked with talent.
New quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to perform and has a defense that includes three-time Defensive Player of the Year defensive tackle Aaron Donald and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
These are some of the players that need to be at the top of their game in Week 5 for Seattle to earn this key divisional win.
Key Seattle Seahawks players to beating LA in Week 5
3. Russell Wilson, QB
In Week 4, Wilson became the quickest quarterback to reach 100 wins in the NFL and he will have his work cut out to get 101. Wilson and the Seahawks have struggled to really get up to speed this year, but the Rams will be their biggest test and Wilson’s elusive quarterback play will be integral to them getting through the test.
The Rams defense is one that is tough to crack, but the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray managed to get around them. One of the ways is to keep moving in the pocket and keep Donald away for as long as possible. Doing this will give Seattle every chance to get the ball down field.
The importance of Wilson’s movement will be even more important with starting running back Chris Carson out. Wilson will have to be agile and quick with his plays. This may be a game where he’ll have to show the leadership we all know he has to control his offense down the field.
2. DK Metcalf, WR
A player pivotal to Wilson’s success is DK Metcalf. We don’t know who Pro-Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be placed on, but Metcalf is most likely to be the one to go toe-to-toe physically. Getting open is more important than ever in this game so Wilson can get the ball out before being crunched by Donald. It will be down to Metcalf to make the plays in the short field and keep Ramsey at bay.
This could easily be the same for other wideout Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks deep-ball specialist, but it’s believed the real battle for yards will be in slant plays. With more physical plays needed, Metcalf is really key in this one.
1. Jamal Adams, S
One of the biggest billings of this matchup will be between two of the chirpiest defenders in the NFL, Jamal Adams and Jalen Ramsey. In the context of Adams, he will have a job on his hands, with the Rams fleet of wide receivers.
Adams and his secondary will have to be at the top of their game to slow down Stafford and his group of receivers with Cooper Kupp playing like a true No. 1 receiver this year. Adams will need to take his war of words with Ramsey to heart is the Seahawks are to slow down this offence and cause real problems for Stafford. Without Adams and co. finding a real foothold in coverage, it could be a long night for Seattle, regardless of if their offense gets going.