When the Seahawks played in Los Angeles last month, they gained 414 yards, the most by a Rams opponent this season, and they had 26 first downs, the second most allowed by the Rams this season.
So clearly Seattle’s offense did a lot of things well. The issue, which the Seahawks know they can’t repeat in a big NFC West showdown on Thursday night, were the four turnovers, all interceptions, that not only prevented those yards and first downs from turning into points, but that also set the Rams offense up with some short fields.
“We’re excited about this challenge,” quarterback Sam Darnold said. “Obviously, it’s a divisional game, and playing these guys last time wasn’t my best effort. I feel like as an offense we’ve just got to continue to do what we’ve been practicing, stay on the details. But again, this team has a very good defense. I think I said it last time, and it held true, matching the pressure with the coverage, smart DBs, guys that know what they’re doing, and obviously a really good scheme. We’re excited about the challenge and ready to go.”
For Darnold, facing the Rams isn’t about proving anything about himself after they handed him his worst stat line of the season in Week 11.
“It’s just another opponent,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a divisional game and I would just leave it at that.”
But Darnold, like the rest of his teammates, understands the stakes with two 11-3 teams facing off in a game that will put one team in control of its own destiny for the NFC’s top seed.
“It’s the best, that’s the kind of football you want to be playing in December, meaningful football,” Darnold said. “We take that head on in the in the locker room and we love it.”
