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Rams Listed as 1.5-Point Favorites Over Seahawks in Opening Lines for Week 10

Kevin Allen

by Kevin Allen in NFL Football

Updated Mar 4, 2021 · 12:42 PM PST

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers with quarterback Geno Smith and linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
  • The Los Angeles Rams open as 1.5-point favorites at home against the Seattle Seahawks for their Week 10 meeting (Nov. 15, 4:25 pm. EST)
  • The Seahawks (6-2) lost 44-34 to the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, while the Rams (5-3) had a bye
  • See opening odds, team overviews, and a prediction about how the line will move

Seattle coach Pete Carroll received a new contract this weekend, but what he really needs is a stronger defense. The Seahawks have lost two of their last three games, giving up 81 points in those two losses.

The Seahawks haven’t given up fewer than 23 points in any game this season, and they have surrendered 30 or more in four of their nine games. Only Russell Wilson’s exceptional offensive season have spared them from suffering more than they have because of weak defensive play.

That’s why the Seahawks opened as a 1.5-point underdog in Week 10 versus the LA Rams. On the strength of Russell Wilson’s arm and elusiveness, they are 6-2 against spread this season.

Seahawks vs Rams Opening Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Seattle Seahawks +104 +1.5 (-114) Over 55.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Rams -122 -1.5 (-106) Under 55.5 (-110)

Odds taken Nov. 8th at FanDuel.

Defensive Woes Have to be Worrying Seahawks

Wilson threw for 390 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks scored 34 points.  Safety Jamal Adams returned to the defense and defensive end Carlos Dunlop made his debut. They played well, but it didn’t help overall.

The duo combined for 2.5 sacks and Seattle sacked Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen seven times. But Allen riddled Seattle’s pass coverage for 425 yards. He had three passing touchdowns and one rushing TD. Cornerback Quinton Dunbar was ineffective against the Bills.

The Seahawks blitzed Allen often, but they didn’t disguise it well. Allen seemed to read it consistently and then had no difficulty locating an open receiver.  The most alarming aspect of their defensive deficiency is it hasn’t improved.

Seahawks Suffer Three Sprained Ankles vs Bills

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said defensive players K.J. Wright, D.J. Wright and Bryan Mone suffered ankle injuries in the loss to Buffalo.

“We don’t know yet, ” Carroll said in the post-game press conference. “Let’s just wait on those. But we do know we had three guys sprain ankles.”

Defensive tackle Jarran Reed received medical attention during the game, but Carroll said he wouldn’t be going on the injury list.

Chris Carson didn’t play against the Bills, He hasn’t played since Oct. 25, and was considered a 50-50 possibility. That would suggest there is a chance he will play in Week 10.

Rams’ Running Game a Concern For Seahawks

Seattle fans will worry about quarterback Jared Goff, mostly because he threw for 355 yards in his last outing. He’s only been sacked 10 times in eight games. By contrast, Wilson has been sacked 19 times. Goff has thrown 13 TD passes and been intercepted six times.

But the Seahawks also have to be wary of the Rams’ ground game that averages 138 yards per game.  The Rams have 11 rushing touchdowns. Only three teams have scored more.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks have given up 11 rushing TD, Only four teams have allowed more rushing touchdowns.

Spread Could Move Toward Seahawks

Fans have such a devoted romance with Wilson’s flair and Seattle’s offensive potential that there could be an early rush to take Seattle with the points. Bettors like receiving points with a team that regularly scores 30 or more. That should move the spread closer to even.

But many bettors will take a more pragmatic approach and focus on the fact that the Seahawks’ defensive  problems put considerable pressure on Wilson to produce big numbers every week.  Watching his defense give up 44 points this week, Wilson had four turnovers.  The Seattle defense is a major problem. That may push the spread back to where it was by the end of the week.

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