The 7-2 Los Angeles Rams are hosting the 7-2 Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on Sunday for their first of two meetings in 2025. This game holds significant weight, as the winner will gain a one-game lead in the division standings with less than half of the season remaining.
Los Angeles has looked great on both sides of the ball, but the Seahawks have been just as formidable. This matchup may ultimately come down to one or two pivotal plays that one team capitalizes on to take and hold the lead.
As we continue our preview for this Week 11 NFC West battle, we spoke with Seahawks Wire managing editor Kole Musgrove to learn more about Seattle’s strengths and prospects heading into the game.
### What Has Sam Darnold Done This Year That’s Truly Impressed?
“The most impressive thing about Sam has been his confidence. I know that sounds kinda dorky to say, but when Sam is making quick, decisive reads confidently, he is quite literally unstoppable. He operates Klint Kubiak’s offense at a high level and has provided a clear upgrade at quarterback that not many 12’s (including yours truly) thought he would.”
— Kole Musgrove
### With Seattle’s Rushing Attack Split Between Two Backs, Would They Benefit From Consolidating?
“Not really, because there are days when the line is getting pushed around and not doing much of anything. When the Seahawks are actually able to open things up, having a more traditional runner like Zach Charbonnet in the fold helps their game more. But when Seattle needs a home run hitter who can make something out of nothing, K9 is your guy. There isn’t really a way to tell when this is going to be, so honestly, I think continuing to split is the way to go until the line gets more consistent.”
— Kole Musgrove
### What Is It About Mike Macdonald’s Defense That Can Baffle Opposing Offenses?
“There’s an old saying my former high school defensive line coach used to tell me: ‘Pressure will cook a ham.’ It may be basic, but the fact that this Seahawks team can generate consistent pressure up front without having to blitz has been the difference between this unit and so many in recent years.”
— Kole Musgrove
### If You Could Add One Former Seahawk (Active or Not) to This Roster to Give Them the Best Chance of Winning, Who Would You Choose and Why?
“Kam Chancellor is my all-time favorite Seahawk, and he’s my answer to this question. Watching Nick Emmanwori tear it up has me fantasizing about what the man he was physically comped to during the draft (Chancellor) could do as well.”
— Kole Musgrove
### Who Wins and Why?
“Every single time I have picked the Seahawks to beat the Rams in a game that actually matters during the Sean McVay era, I am once again reminded that I am Charlie Brown, and they are Lucy with the football.
“Sean McVay has the secret sauce to beating the Seahawks. Since 2017, he is 11-6 over the Seahawks. Realistically, the record should be closer to 16-1. Three of those wins came against backups — John Wolford, Baker Mayfield in Week 18, and Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 18 when the Rams sat everyone. There was also a 30-29 game the Seahawks won because LA missed a game-winning field goal, and a 16-10 game in 2017 when rookie Cooper Kupp dropped the game-winning touchdown (I’m sure we can count on one hand how many times that’s happened since).
“The Seahawks and Rams are both playing their best football of the season, and I do believe the Seahawks have closed the gap. But I’m going to go with the more experienced team, in terms of players and coaching, on Sunday. Rams over Hawks 27-21.”
— Kole Musgrove
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**More Rams:** Aaron Donald wrote a fantastic motivational letter to his younger self.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/behind-enemy-lines-previewing-rams-171052060.html
