Seahawks-Rams game thread

So many penalties… Oh, and a Marshawn Lynch touchdown

Seattle’s much maligned offense just put together one of its best drives of the last few weeks, aided by a whole lot of Rams penalties on one play, one of which got Kendall Langford ejected for contacting an official.

Even without those flags, that was about as good and balanced of a Seahawks drive as we’ve seen in a while, and potentially an encouraging sign going forward.

Seahawks now lead 20-3 with 2:21 left in the third.

Legion of Boom nearly self destructs, Rams get FG

After a long Rams punt return (haven’t seen that too often this year), the Seahawks nearly got a takeaway when Kellen Clemens threw a duck into the end zone after being hit. The problem for Seattle, however, was that three defense backs—Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell—all had a chance at the ball, and all collided trying to catch it. That collision allowed the Rams to keep the ball and kick a field goal, and more troubling for Seattle, led to Sherman staying on the ground for a little bit.

Sherman jogged off under his own power, and after being looked at on the sideline, he appears to be OK, but we’ll get a better indication of that when the defense returns to the field.

It’s now 13-3 Seahawks with 10:49 left in the third quarter.

Seahawks lead 13-0 at halftime

The good news for the Seahawks is that they’re up 13 points and one half away from home-field advantage in the playoffs. The bad news, however, is that the offense is again struggling, though there were some signs of life in the second quarter.

Seattle had another drive stall out in the red zone at the end of the half, this time when a Russell Okung hold wiped out a touchdown pass to Golden Tate. That happened with six seconds left, forcing Seattle to have to settle for three points.

And speaking of Okung, it’s clear he isn’t at full strength right now, and that’s not an ideal position to be in against Robert Quinn, who picked up his 19th sack of the season earlier in the game.

On the plus side, the defense is playing so well 13 points ought to hold up. Last time these teams played, St. Louis ran the ball well (as mentioned below), this time the Rams had negative-2 yards at halftime on the ground.

Hauschka FG makes it 10-0

Seattle’s offense showed some signs off life after a rough first quarter, driving 65 yards before stalling out in the red zone and settling for a field goal. The most encouraging sign for Seattle is that after gaining only 16 yards on the ground in the first quarter, the offense had 34 rushing yards, all from Marshawn Lynch, on that drive.

Perhaps the best sign for Seattle early—aside from the lead obviously—is that the defense is allowing absolutely nothing on the ground. Last time these teams played, the Rams had 200 rushing yards, this time, they have -3 so far.

Seahawks offense struggling early

It’s being masked somewhat right now by a defensive touchdown, but Seattle’s offense is picking up where it left off last week. And no, that’s not a good thing. On two possessions, Seattle has gained just nine yards, going three-and-out both times.

One personnel note early, it was Jeremy Lane, not Walter Thurmond, coming in as Seattle third corner in the nickel defense. Thurmond, Seattle nickel corner for most of the season, is back from a four-game suspension, but is apparently going to have to work his way back into the rotation.

Malcolm Smith pick-six give Seattle early lead

The Seahawks went three-and-out on their opening drive, with Russell Wilson missing Doug Baldwin on third down. But Jon Ryan pinned the Rams deep with a 68-yard punt (with a penalty tacked on too), and after St. Louis picked up a couple of first downs, Malcolm Smith came up with the play of the game (so far), intercepting Kellen Clemens and returning it 37 yards to give Seattle a 7-0 lead.

And that wasn’t Smith’s first big play of the series, either. He had a nice solo tackle on Zac Lacy behind the line of scrimmage on one play, then sniffed out a reverse for a 4-yard loss on the play before the interception.

Pregame and inactives

Instead of an important win-or-go-home game, today it’s win-and-stay-home for the Seahawks. If the Seahawks can take care of St. Louis today, they will be at home throughout the playoffs, meaning any remaining travel will be to the Super Bowl. Lose, however, and Seattle would end up a Wild Card if San Francisco can win in Arizona today.

The Seahawks will have receiver Jermaine Kearse, who is active despite missing the entire week of practice with an ankle injury. No other surprises on Seattle’s inactives, though it’s noteworthy that G/T Michael Bowie is inactive a week after starting at right guard. The reason for having Bowie inactive and Alvin Bailey active is that Bailey can play more positions along the line, including left tackle.

SEAHAWKS INACTIVES: WR Percy Harvin, RB Christine Michael, LB K.J. Wright, T Michael Bowie, T Caylin Hauptmann, DE Benson Mayowa, DT Jordan Hill.

RAMS INACTIVES: WR Tavon Austin, RB Daryl Richardson, S Quinton Pointer, DE Sammy Brown, G Harvey Dahl, DT Matt Conrath, T Mike Person.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.