Seahawks Open as 1.5-Point Favorites vs Rams in Week 16 Battle for NFC West

• The Seattle Seahawks (10-4) are 1.5-point favorites against the Los Angeles Rams (9-5) in the opening odds for their Week 16 meeting (Dec. 27, 4:25 pm EST)
• The Seahawks took over sole possession of first place in the NFC West by defeating the Washington Football Team 20-15, while the Rams were upset 23-20 by the previously winless New York Jets
• See opening odds, team overviews, and a prediction about how the line will move

The Seattle Seahawks clinched a playoff spot for the ninth time in the past 11 seasons by downing Washington 20-15. But the Seahawks can’t be satisfied with how they are playing.

They are 5-4 since Oct. 25, and the win against Washington came down to the final possession. The Seahawks haven’t looked as sharp as they did when they started the season with five consecutive wins.

That may explain why they are only 1.5-point favorites against the Rams. The one positive for the Seahawks is that their running game has shown some power lately, racking up 181 yards against Washington.

Rams vs Seahawks Opening Odds

Odds taken Dec. 20 at FanDuel

Wilson Gets It Done Even when Seattle Isn’t Sharp

Russell Wilson has shown himself to be a prolific passer, a dangerous runner and an inspirational leader. But what separates him from other quarterbacks is his consistent ability to find ways to win regardless of how his team is playing, or how important the game is.

In nine seasons as starting quarterback, he has led the Seahawks into the playoffs nine times.  He’s durable, confident and undoubtedly one of the NFL’s toughest quarterbacks. He likes to roll out of the pocket, but not because he doesn’t take a beating.  Only a couple of NFL quarterbacks have been sacked more than Wilson this season.

Russell Wilson's juke will haunt this man for the rest of his life #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/3WPEIo8HAc

— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) December 20, 2020

This is the first time in Wilson’s career that he wasn’t sacked in two consecutive games. The Seahawks aren’t a perfect team, but Wilson always makes them much stronger than they truly are.

Loss to the Jets Doesn’t Doom the Rams

A loss to the lowly New York Jets knocked the Rams out of a first place tie with the Seahawks. Losing to a previously winless Jets team has made them the butt of several jokes on Twitter.

But the reality is that the Rams can still win the NFC West if they beat the Seahawks in Week 16, and they’re still the No. 5 seed in the playoff race.  That’s exactly where they were before being humbled by the Jets.

The loss to the Jets will only hurt them if they let it fester. It is still highly likely the Rams will make the playoffs. The only thing they have to guard against is the self-doubt that can creep in after a loss like this. The media was saying plenty of laudatory comments about the Rams before this loss. The media may not be as complimentary this week.

#Rams coach Sean McVay on the shocking loss to the winless #Jets: “It's going to be embarrassing. I'm sick to my stomach. It was very humbling. But we're going to move forward."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2020

Dunlap returned against Washington

Seattle defensive end Connor Dunlap said he expects his foot injury to linger the rest of the season, but he was able to get through Sunday’s win against the Washington Football Team. He did, however, add that he wants to see how the foot feels over the next couple of days.

Dunlap’s ability to stay healthy is considered crucial to Seattle’s playoff aspirations.

Carlos Dunlap said his foot made it through today with no setbacks but noted: “adrenaline is a hell of a drug.” Said his foot flares up when fatigued and that it helps to play a reduced number of snaps like he did today. He had one of Seattle’s three sacks on WFT’s final drive. pic.twitter.com/UAOwugYjel

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 20, 2020

Line Should Move in Seattle’s Direction

Given Seattle’s experience and all of the unfavorable analysis that will be heaped upon the Rams this week, look for the line to move toward Seattle. They could end up as a 3-point favorite.  But here’s what needs to be remembered: many would have viewed this game a toss-up if the Rams had taken care of business against the Jets.