2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 13
Seattle Seahawks (6-5) at Los Angeles Rams (3-8)
Sunday, December 4, 4:05 PM ET
The last three weeks have been pretty underwhelming for the Seattle Seahawks. One of the league’s most pleasant surprises in 2022 has quickly found itself dropping down the standings in the NFC West as the San Francisco 49ers keep on playing dominant defense and Seattle looks like they’re playing with nine guys on that side of the ball most of the time.
Although the Seahawks have a top-five scoring offense this season, led by the resurgent Geno Smith, they have one of the five worst defenses in the league and that burned them badly on Sunday afternoon against the Raiders. Josh Jacobs put together a game he’ll never forget with 303 yards from scrimmage against Seattle’s defense, including an 86-yard run in overtime to end the game, leaving the 12s absolutely stunned.
The Seahawks haven’t won since November 6 against the Cardinals. They’re quickly fading in the NFC West, but they have a chance to get back on track this coming weekend against a battered Los Angeles Rams team. But is victory a foregone conclusion?
The Rams have lost five straight games, the most recent being a road loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. The injury bug has bitten Los Angeles so hard this season, they probably can’t wait for the year to be over so they can get healthy and reset in 2023.
The Rams aren’t shutting Matthew Stafford down this season, but he’s now down both Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson at the wide receiver position, if and when he comes back. Bryce Perkins got the start last week, but if Stafford is back this week, you can’t help but wonder if the Rams can end this losing streak they’re on playing at home.
There’s really no reason to be faith-filled towards the Rams at this point, but at some point, what goes up must come down, and vice versa. On the surface, this game is a clear advantage to the Seahawks and their high-scoring offense. If Stafford plays, though, I’ll take the Rams in a close one.
As this post was being written, however, it was reported that Aaron Donald is being evaluated for a high-ankle sprain. Perhaps even if Stafford plays, it’s bad news for the LA crew.
Prediction: Seahawks win 26-21