‘Flying’ LA Rams seek to bounce back
Seahawks also hope to make amends for Chargers loss, ready to ‘jump at the challenge’
>> LOS ANGELES: Now that the Los Angeles Rams have finished licking their wounds from their first loss of the season, head coach Sean McVay expects another big test during today’s clash with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams will try to get back on track after losing 45-35 last week to New Orleans as they continue their march towards their second straight NFC West title.
McVay says the Rams shouldn’t have trouble dealing with their first setback of the season.
“I think the sense that we got from our players and from our coaching staff is that, if anything, it creates an added sense of urgency,” said McVay.
“That feeling in your gut when you wake up and you’re kind of just sick because you didn’t get the result that you wanted is something that you can’t create unless you do end up losing.
“We try to be consistent whether you win or lose, but there is something that is created just based on not getting the result that you wanted.”
The Rams’ eight-game win streak came to a screeching halt in New Orleans but Jared Goff and Co will seek to begin a new streak against the Seahawks at the Coliseum.
And since McVay took over, the Rams have never lost two consecutive regular-season games.
The loss to the Saints may have put a dent in the Rams push for possible home field advantage in the postseason. But they are still 8-1 and the 7-1 Saints have a tougher schedule in the second half of the season.
The Rams and Seahawks met earlier this year. In the Rams 33-31 win on Oct 7, Goff completed 23 of 32 passes, one for a touchdown. He also had two interceptions including one on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half.
But Goff has matured at quarterback since that game. He is expected to mainly work from the pocket against Seattle, who are 4-4.
“We have an enormous matchup this week with a team that’s been flying the whole first half of the season,” said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
Seattle are also looking to bounce back from a loss after they were beaten 25-17 by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Seattle gave the Rams all they could hand once before and Carroll says they can do it again.
“We are up against it. We’ve got to play great football and we do that by practising really well and jumping at the challenge,” he said.
Rams wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp had to leave the Saints game with concussions, but they are expected to play today.
Along with running back Todd Gurley, they present a huge problem for the Seahawks’ defence. Gurley leads the NFL in rushing with a 96.4 yard average per game.
Elsewhere, the Dallas Cowboys face a must-win game as they visit the defending Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles today.
A loss to the Eagles would drop Dallas to 3-6, all but eliminating them from the play-offs.
The Cowboys are 0-4 on the road and are coming off a disappointing 28-14 home loss to the Tennessee Titans tomorrow.
The Eagles are only 4-4 coming off their bye week and trail the Washington Redskins in the NFC East, but Philadelphia can determine their own future with three of their next four games in the division.