Photo Credit: NFL.com

It all comes down to this, the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams, and the winner will most likely take the NFC West and secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If you’ve been reading my articles for a while, you know how tight the playoff race in the NFC has been all year.

The Seahawks have a chance to secure their spot in the playoffs for the first time in 2022 with a win against the Rams on Thursday night or a Detroit Lions loss on Sunday. Both teams come into this game having won six of their last seven. The Rams lost to the Carolina Panthers two weeks ago, and the Seahawks lost to these Rams a little over a month ago in a game where Sam Darnold threw four interceptions. We don’t have to talk about that.

However, the Seahawks only lost that game 21–19 despite turning the ball over four times. I don’t see Darnold doing that again. The Seahawks were able to keep that game close, and they were on the road in Los Angeles. This game is in Seattle, which gives me some confidence.

Both teams come into this game missing key pieces. The Rams will be without wide receiver Davante Adams, who is leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns. The Seahawks will be without left tackle Charles Cross. Both are huge losses for teams that desperately need a win.

This game might come down to which loss is bigger. To me, it’s clearly Charles Cross. Left tackle is arguably the most important position on the offensive line, and Cross is one of the best in the game. If the Rams are able to generate consistent pressure on Darnold, the Seahawks are going to have a long day on offense.

The Seahawks’ offense has been inconsistent for a while now, and that’s been the biggest issue. We know what to expect from the Seahawks’ defense on a weekly basis, but the offense has been hit or miss. A large part of that is due to the non-existent run game.

The good news is that the Seahawks’ defense has been winning them games, but they need help. We’re now at the point of the season where the offense needs to start taking over games and play a complete four quarters. We’ve seen what this offense can do at its best, but we haven’t seen that level of play in a while.

The Rams come into this game with the fourth-best scoring defense, so putting up points will be difficult. However, the Seahawks don’t have a choice. I don’t care that it’s a short week. This offense needs to pick things up and play like it did in the middle of the season.

The Rams have a great offense as well. Puka Nacua is second behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba in receiving yards. Kyren Williams is one of the top running backs in the NFL, and Matthew Stafford is the MVP frontrunner. Even without Adams, this defense will have its hands full.

All in all, we should be in for a great game. The Rams and Seahawks are two well-balanced teams, and it could come down to one or two plays that decide it. As always, here are my three keys to a Seahawks win.

The Seahawks’ offense needs to play well

This one is obvious, given what I said in my preview. The Seahawks’ offense may need to have one of its best games of the season to win on Thursday. I’m talking about an all-around effort. Passing game, run game, third downs, red zone efficiency, pass protection, and ball security. Everything needs to be better.

The Seahawks kicked all field goals last week and still won. That won’t fly against the Rams. They’ll need to put the ball in the end zone to win this game.

Stop Puka Nacua

With Davante Adams out, Puka Nacua will be the main focus of the Rams’ passing game, especially on third down and in the red zone. I expect Matthew Stafford to look his way early and often. It’s up to the Seahawks’ defense to slow him down and keep the Rams’ offense in check.

Force turnovers

The winner of this game may come down to who wins the turnover battle. The Rams have only turned the ball over 12 times this season, sixth-best in the NFL, and that’s been a huge reason for their success.

The Seahawks need to force Stafford into mistakes and get the Rams’ offense off the field as much as possible.

Score prediction

Seattle Seahawks 21, Los Angeles Rams 15

I expect this to be a close game that comes down to the wire. With the Seahawks at home and so much on the line, I expect them to get the job done.

Kickoff is at 5:15 p.m. Thursday night at Lumen Field in Seattle.