ST. LOUIS RAMS (2-10) at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-7)
Monday, 8:30 PM ET, ESPN, Sirius (STL 92, Sea 93), Westwood One Radio
Why Watch
To see if Steve Spagnuolo can survive this season, or even this game. Todd Haley (Chiefs) and Tony Sparano (Dolphins) have been fired. Haley’s chiefs won five games. Sparano’s Dolphins won four games. The Rams sit with two wins. St. Louis was thought to be a challenger in a weak division, or at least to show progress from last year’s seven-win season. Now, Rams owner Stan Kroenke sees two other NFL owners with a head start on the back channel discussions to land a top-tier head coach. Blue chip coaching prospects will not discuss a job unless the position is vacant. Thus, moves by the Chiefs and Dolphins will force an early decision about Spagnuolo. Fate may already be sealed for the Rams head coach, but this game is Spags’ last shot to state his case.
What To Watch
Quarterbacks hog so much attention that one forgets that there is more to football than throwing it. That old saw about running the ball-stop the run comes to mind. This game features two of the best rushers in the game in Marshawn Lynch and Stephen Jackson. Both have over 800 rushing yards. Both average better than four yards per carry. Both help their quarterbacks, but Lynch is having the greater impact on his team by rushing for over 100 yards in three of Seattle’s last four games.
Rams QB Sam Bradford is Questionable. If he cannot go tonight, then some guy named Tom Brandstater (Fresno State) gets a shot. WR Brandon Lloyd has been with St. Louis for seven games, but he is the team’s leading receiver. OC Josh McDaniels is the only pro coach to get genuine production from Lloyd who was overheard whispering something biblical to McDaniels like, “Whither thou goest, I will go. Thy future team shall be my future team.” On defense, Spagnuolo’s specialty, the Rams forced 14 fumbles, but recovered five. They have 10 interceptions. The Seahawks fare little better, but they do rank as a mid-tier defense. Seattle is favored by 10.
Who Will Win.
We win if ESPN pressures the NFL to add Monday Night games to the Flex Schedule. SEATTLE.
