With the NFC’s top spot lead on the line, the Rams and the Seahawks are engaged in a physical, grind-it-out battle, one Los Angeles leads 13-7 at halftime.
The Seahawks took an early 7-0 lead. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, the hosts went 61 yards on five plays, the biggest one being a 46-yard screen pass to Kenneth Walker III. Zach Charbonnet finished the drive with a 4-yard run up the middle.
The Rams haven’t had many issues moving the ball on this vaunted Seattle defense, but they have had plenty of trouble finishing their drives. Los Angeles got all the way down to the 1-yard line on its second drive and appeared to have a touchdown from Matthew Stafford to Terrance Ferguson, but an ineligible man downfield penalty forced them to settle for a field goal. The Rams also had to settle for a second Harrison Mevis field goal on their second drive when they got stymied at the Seattle 5.
The visitors finally broke into the end zone on a beautiful play action pass from Stafford to Ferguson, giving Los Angeles its first lead of the night.
Still, the absence of Davante Adams — who has an NFL-high 12 red-zone touchdown receptions — has loomed large not only in terms of the red zone issues but on the game as a whole. The Rams have run the ball 24 times and thrown it just 18 times. Puka Nacua has four catches for 74 yards as the Rams have leaned heavily into three-tight end looks.
Outside of the first drive, the Seahawks’ offense has been awful. The hosts’ second and third drives were three-and-outs, and just before halftime, Cooper Kupp fumbled with the Seahawks in field goal range, wiping out a major opportunity, especially considering they get the ball to start the second half. The Rams own a 257-120 yardage advantage.