Rams vs. Seahawks Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
After a career-high 17 starts in last year’s regular season, quarterback Geno Smith is entering his second year as Seattle’s starter, as the Seahawks look to improve on their 9-8 record in 2022. The Rams won a Super Bowl in 2021, but they took a big step back in 2022 and missed out on the playoffs with a 5-12 record.
Seattle is a 5.0-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 46.0
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Seahawks won both meetings between the teams last year, but they were fairly tight games. Seattle won 27-23 in L.A. in Week 13 before capping off the regular season with a 19-16 overtime win in Week 18. The Rams may be hard-pressed to win outright on Sunday, but it’s worth noting they have covered in eight of the last 10 head-to-heads against Seattle.
It’s not expected to be a positive year for L.A. as their season win total is set at just 6.5 and they are underdogs to make the playoffs at +300. If you’re looking for a long shot pick, the Rams are +7080 to win the Super Bowl, +3483 to win the NFC outright and +964 to win the NFC West.
Seattle is expected to be about as strong as they were last season, with their win total set at 8.5 games. They are also favoured to make the playoffs at -122. The Seahawks are a decent value pick on the futures board as they are +3028 to win the Super Bowl, +1265 to win the NFC outright and +220 to win the NFC West.
Los Angeles Rams
Last year was a complete disaster for the Rams as they set a record for the most losses by a reigning Super Bowl champion. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is finally healthy, but he has reportedly struggled to adjust to the new youth movement L.A. is focusing on for their roster. Stafford is coming off an injury-plagued 2022 season that saw him suit up in just nine games. The veteran QB’s 2,087 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns were both the second-worst numbers of his career.
It doesn’t help Stafford that his top receiving threat, Cooper Kupp, is in doubt for Sunday. Kupp, who is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, was also limited to just nine games last season, finishing the year with 812 receiving yards and six touchdowns. If the Rams are going to have any success this season, they need Kupp healthy and back to his 2021 form that saw him win the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award by leading the league in both receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16).
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith’s career resurgence last season was a big reason why Seattle surprised critics and fans by earning a playoff spot, although they lost to San Francisco in the Wild Card round. Smith finished the 2022 season with the eighth-most passing yards (4,282) in the NFL and the fourth-most passing touchdowns (30). Both numbers were career-highs and helped Smith win NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
The big question mark surrounding Seattle in Week 1 is the status of rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who the Seahawks drafted 20th overall this year. After scoring a touchdown against Dallas in Week 2 of the pre-season, Smith-Njigba suffered small bone crack in his wrist that required surgery. If Smith-Njigba isn’t ready to go for Week 1, Seattle still has top level receiving threats in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Metcalf (1,048 receiving yards, six TDs) and Lockett (1,033, nine TDs) were the Seahawks’ top two receivers last year.
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