LA Rams clash with Seahawks January 9th in the NFL Playoffs

The LA Rams will travel to Seattle  on January 9, 2021 for a Saturday round one showdown in the 2020 NFL playoffs

It’s official. The LA Rams will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks for round one of the NFC Playoffs. And with the LA Rams finishing the 2020 NFL season with a 10-6 record. That finish extends Head coach Sean McVay consecutive seasons with a winning record to four, and sets his record as head coach for the Rams at 43-20.

The Rams have a record of 2-2 in the NFL playoffs under McVay, but this will the be first time into post-season since losing in the Super Bowl.  The game will be held on Saturday afternoon, at1:40 pm PT. With another week to recuperate, the LA Rams are hopeful to get a number of absent players back for this one.

Players returning to health

The Rams will be eagerly anticipating the return of DT Michael Brockers, ILB Micah Kiser, and perhaps the return of starting quarterback Jared Goff.  There is some question over WR Cooper Kupp can make it back from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for that game, as well as DB Taylor Rapp or RB Darrell Henderson.

The return of Brockers and Kiser will be a huge boost to the Rams defense, which is the unit the Rams will be most dependent upon to defeat the Seahawks. In two previous meetings in the regular season, the Rams won the first contest by a score of 23-16, and lost the rematch by a score of 20-9.  While both teams won on their home field, that will likely not be as much of an advantage as a normal year due to the absence of fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Game three

The third game will be decided by field position, time of possession, and turnovers.  The Rams offense appears to be better suited at time of possession with John Wolford under center. The field position likely favors veteran QB Jared Goff. While the health of Goff’s hand will likely be the deciding factor, I’d like to believe that whoever starts will give the Rams less chance of turning the ball over.

The LA Rams are quite familiar with the Seahawks, as are they with the LA Rams.  When the Seahawks have the ball, they will work hard to get the ball out to D.K. Metcalf or Tyler Lockett before the Rams pass rush can get to quarterback Russell Wilson.  When the Rams have the ball, they will need to move the ball through the air, but be willing to shirt to a ground assault when they get into the red zone.

The week preparing for this one awaits us. For tonight, the Rams are indeed in the playoffs, and will face a familiar foe. That will have to do for now. Go Rams!