The story of the Rams and Seahawks franchises diverged last season. Los Angeles was coming off a relatively uninspiring Super Bowl win in 2021, where they benefitted greatly from neither the Bills nor Chiefs making it out of the AFC, the Rams fell off a cliff into oblivion. Injuries, age, and salary cap finally caught up to them, as Matt Stafford missed much of the season, and played poorly when he was on the field. Aaron Donald missed a number of games. Only one offensive linemen played more than 13 games. The wunderkind coach, Sean McVay, wilted under all the adversity and nearly chose to retire after a 5-12 campaign.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks were supposed to be the whipping boys of the NFC West after trading away their franchise quarterback. Instead, they rode a deep and talented rookie class, along with a resurgent career-backup-turned-Pro-Bowler quarterback, to the playoffs. Their septuagenarian coach somehow exited the year with more energy and maybe a longer future than his teeny bopper counterpart in LA.

The storyline heading into this 2023 home opener for the Seahawks is that the Rams are a pushover, with a team full of no-name youngsters, and Seattle is a team poised to take a step forward after another seemingly strong draft. There is truth in that narrative, but it would be a serious mistake to underestimate any Rams team that has Donald on the field.

Stafford missed both games against the Seahawks last year (as did Donald), and will be piloting an offense that has managed to give Pete Carroll’s various defenses and defensive coordinators fits for years. It sounds like Cooper Kupp will not play, but underestimate McVay’s offense at your peril.

Seattle has not typically started fast on offense in season openers. Vegas is expecting the Seahawks to score 26-27 points in this one. This could easily be a game where the winning score is closer to 20 points. The lower the score, the more the Rams have a shot.

Keep in mind that the Rams barely lost the two games last year with John Wolford and Baker Mayfield at QB. The Seahawks should win this one, but it may be closer than folks are expecting.

The way this works: Each offense will be pitted against the opposing defense and compared on an array of key statistical attributes based on their respective rank in the NFL. The tables that follow show the rank of each unit for each of these categories.

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Seahawks Offense vs Rams Defense

Rams key advantages on defense

Aaron Donald. He is a pretty big advantage. He also represents a great early test for the new center for Seattle, Evan Brown. It would be a big confidence boost if the interior line can hold their own against Donald. Cobie Durant is a young corner who looks promising.

This was the best red zone defense in football last year. They were also among the best in limiting explosive plays. The red zone defense feels like a regression waiting to happen.

Seahawks key advantages on offense

Jalen Ramsey is not around to continue his entertaining matchups with DK Metcalf. The Rams young secondary should have its hands full with the Seattle passing attack, even if rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba is unable to make it back for week one.

Bobby Wagner is back on the Seattle sideline, which could have a massive impact on the Rams run defense. Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson are also gone. Seattle got very little push from their offensive line during the preseason. That will need to change here to unlock a big offensive day for Seattle.

Rams Offense vs Seahawks Defense

Rams key advantages on offense

Cam Akers is a decent back, who has had some success against the Seahawks. The Seahawks run defense was atrocious last season. LA will emphasize the run even more if Kupp misses the game. Steve Avila is a big new rookie guard for the Rams. We will find out quickly if he is a step forward or backward for that line.

Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant struggled to defend crossing patterns against the 49ers in the playoff game. McVay features many of those in his offense. Tutu Atwell had some big plays against Seattle last year and may get more chances in this one.

Seahawks key advantages on defense

Seattle should be able to create some pass pressure against this line. They had 6 sacks in the season finale last year, and their pass rush crew is better and deeper. Dre’Mont Jones will get his first game with the Lumen Field crowd roaring behind him. Boye Mafe has improved and will start.

The Seahawks defense will have to prove themselves this season. Skepticism is warranted based on the last 7-8 seasons. This is an opponent they have some clear advantages over. Wagner and crew will have a shot to set a new standard.