The Rams appear to still have an aura around them that they do not deserve. Not with the way this defense has fallen apart (sans Aaron Donald) and certainly not with Cooper Kupp sidelined. The Seahawks have playmakers for days, and backing Geno Smith after a strong close to 2022 appears to have been the right move. And then there’s the legitimate homefield advantage in Seattle, which is worth a couple points. The Seahawks should win by a touchdown.

This is just a huge mismatch between two teams headed in completely different directions. The Seahawks are loaded on both sides of the football and the Rams will be missing their best weapon in Cooper Kupp. While I expect the Seahawks to win convincingly, I'll take the chalk and bet the ML.

My model has these two team going in different directions as I looking for the Rams to go under their win total of 6.5 -135 and under 5.5 +135. I like the Seahawks to go over their win total of 9 -105. I have the Rams defense tied for 31st in the NFL, their offense their offense tied for 23rd and their overall rating 32nd or dead last in the NFL. I think everyone got fat and happy after winning a Super Bowl. Pete Carroll is one of the best HC in the NFL and has a talented team that can challenge the 49ers for the west division title. Take the far better team with one of the best home fields -4.5.

The Rams begin the season with Cooper Kupp (hamstring) on IR. Over the eight games that Kupp missed at the end of last season, Jefferson had at least 43 receiving yards just three times. However, Matthew Stafford was only healthy for one of those games. With Stafford healthy now and the Rams likely needing to throw a lot to keep up with the Seahawks’ high-powered offense, Jefferson should receive ample opportunities to reach this over.

The Rams are without their best offensive player in Cooper Kupp for the next four games, which elevates Van Jefferson to WR1 status in the offense. Last year he played at least 94% of the snaps in each of the last six games and beat this number in half of them, and that was with Baker Mayfield and John Wolford averaging 171 pass yards per game. Matthew Stafford (O/U 221.5 pass yards) will give Jefferson much more opportunity, and the game script favors plenty of targets with Sean McVay needing to go aggressive in the second half if down as expected. This number feels at least 10 yards light.

We have not seen Matthew Stafford in a real NFL game, regular or preseason, since November 2022. He makes his return and who is he throwing the ball to? Cam Akers had a solid start to the season, but he isn't a running back who can carry a team. Give me Seattle laying the 5 at home.

Coach Pete Carroll tends to deliver his teams ready to play on opening day. Seattle has won its last four outright, with three straight covers. This might serve as the safest season intro of any. The rebuilding Rams are minus injured ace WR Cooper Kupp, leaving QB Matthew Stafford with an anonymous bunch of battery mates. Stafford himself was shopped in the offseason, with no takers. Seahawks QB Geno Smith, surrounded by playmakers, got little credit for placing fourth in the league last year for TD passes with 30. Plaudits or not, he returns with a bevy of productive sidekicks.

Grab this now. The Rams' roster is depleted with the absence of Cooper Kupp and others, and Seattle is building a solid squad. Roll with Seattle.

The Rams started their 2022 season with a loss and went 3-5 behind Matthew Stafford with wins against the Falcons, Cardinals, and Panthers. They closed out the season 2-7 without Stafford. This bet here is against Stafford who is tired of getting hit, he doesn’t have Cooper Kupp, and he barely knows his other WRs. Seattle knows they have to take advantage of the Rams and Cardinals in the NFC West. I’m on the Seahawks to cover.

This is an already struggling Rams offense. Now without Cooper Kupp, things look even worse for them. The Rams averaged 18 points per game last year and only 14 on the road. This Seahawks defense is no joke at home, allowing under 20 PPG last season. The Model's projected score is 26-18. The Seahawks have enough offensive weapons to take control of this game on the ground, and allow their defense to take care of the Rams' offense, keep them under 20 points, and cover this spread.

The Seahawks have an impressive two-deep and boast the best QB, secondary and arguably the best receiving corps in the division. This is a Rams team in transition that may be without their #1 WR Cooper Kupp in this game. Doesn't look too good for LA in this game.

These teams combined for 35 points in Week 18 in Seattle last year and that took OT (granted, the Rams were in shutdown mode). And this total is 47.5? Obviously I don't know what the weather will be like in Seattle this far out but don't much care (it can only lower the total really). News broke recently that Rams star WR Cooper Kupp had a setback with his hammy. Maybe he plays, but I'm now very skeptical and I liked Under this number before that. Now I'm jumping in case he sits and this drops anyways. The SL Model has 44 points scored.

This line has dropped at least a point everywhere since earlier in the summer, and I'm not sure why. The Rams roster hasn't gotten any better, and Seattle sneakily boasts one of the deepest rosters in the league. I have Seattle's home-field advantage at +2, so this line is telling you the Seahawks are only two points better than the Rams. My ratings have that gap at seven points, and I'd make Seattle more than touchdown favorites here.

There is a talent gap here, but the Rams have covered five straight against the Seahawks and eight of nine. Sean McVay is 5-1 in season openers. I posted this play before the Cooper Kupp news, which is devastating. But Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell are capable of big plays. Little was expected of Seattle last season, and Geno Smith and the Seahawks surprised everyone. It should be noted Smith tied for the NFL lead with 29 turnover-worthy plays. He finished with just 11 interceptions. Look for a nailbiter and take the points.