Rams know better than to gloat over Seahawks' perceived disadvantage

Los Angeles Rams fans know better than to overemphasize the Seattle Seahawks' relatively unastounding collection of offensive playmakers compared to the rest of the NFC West. ESPN's Bill Barnwell ranks their group of receivers, tight ends, and running backs above-average, 11th in the NFL, but that's only good for last in the division and three spots lower than Seattle's placement a year ago.

Here's why it probably doesn't matter much: if the Seahawks repeat as Super Bowl champions, it will be for the same reason that they won the first time. Jaxson Smith-Njigba is a one-man offense and that defense, which last year finished first in points allowed and sixth in yards, is a force to be reckoned with. It won't be because the offense is stacked from top to bottom.

Naturally, Seattle fans will point out that the team finished third in points and eighth in yards last season. That's all well and good, but it's also worth noting that while the other teams in the division improved their playmaking stock - the Rams really didn't, but they just led the league in points and yards and kept all their relevant pieces - the Seahawks did not. While that's something to keep in mind, it's hardly a reason to point and laugh. 

Seahawks' lack of All-Pro offensive playmakers can't distract Rams from what counts

There is, of course, a reason Seattle trails the Rams, Cardinals, and 49ers in Barnwell's rankings (which, notably, does not include quarterback play). The receiving corps isn't all that threatening outside of Smith-Njigba - the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. 33-year-old Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed are fine receivers. That's about it. 

AJ Barner is an excellent tight end. Tight-end room summary complete.

Most prominently, the Seahawks got worse in the running back room by letting their Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, walk out the door in free agency. Rookie Jadarian Prince, the 32nd pick in this year's draft, does not qualify as a 'replacement.' Neither does free-agent signing Emanuel Wilson, the former Packers backup. Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the playoffs and is expected to miss considerable time this season.

So, right, this feels like a perfect opportunity to take out some of that NFC Championship Game frustration on a bitter rival. Rams fans know better, though, than to take any real comfort from the Seahawks' disadvantage in offensive playmaking power. Seattle still has JSN. Sam Darnold is a solid, starting-caliber quarterback (even if he did lead the league in turnovers last year). 

That doesn't mean the Seahawks will be a mediocre offense. Um, no, they won't be. Despite losing Walker, Charbonnet's injury, and the improvements in the division around them, this will still be an easily above-average group. 

And more critically, Seattle doesn't need anything more than that to contend for another championship. The defense is just that good, and while they did lose personnel on that side of the ball, including cornerback Riq Woolen, the group returns largely intact. That pass rush remains monstrous. The secondary is top-tier. 

The Seahawks remain a high-end Super Bowl contender right behind the Rams, and L.A. would be foolish to forget that. 

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