Matthew Stafford returns from thumb injury to help Rams sweep Seahawks
LAR • QB • #9
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The Rams upset the Seahawks 30-13 in Week 1 in Seattle as a 4.5-point underdog, and they’re going to sweep the 6-3 Seahawks with a win on Sunday in Los Angeles. Seattle is 6-2 since that surprising blowout loss with their only defeats coming against Joe Burrow’s Bengals and Lamar Jackson’s Ravens. A key to the Week 1 victory was keeping Matthew Stafford upright. He wasn’t sacked in that game, but he has been sacked in every game since.
Stafford will likely return from thumb injury this week and thanks to telepathic connections with Cooper Kupp, whose 105.9 receiving yards per game in 29 career games with Stafford is the most by any passer-receiver duo since 1991 (minimum 25 games) and rookie Puka Nacua, the Rams will score enough to win. Los Angeles also has the NFL rookie leader in sacks (5.0) and quarterback hits (14) this season in Byron Young, a nice running mate for three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who still ranks among the top-three defensive tackles in sacks (5.5), pressures (40), quarterback hits (13) and tackles for loss (10) this season. That’s enough for Sean McVay to win in his 10th game head-to-head against Pete Carroll. Carroll’s nine losses against McVay are his most against any opposing head coach in his NFL career.
Beyond that prediction, was surprised to learn that Rams 3rd Rd pick Byron Young (who?) leads all rookies in sacks.
Rams scouting department still very good even with Holmes & Agnew leaving. To their further credit, they also found rookie of the year candidate Puka Nacua Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com. at the end of Rd 5, 177 overall.