If the Seattle Seahawks had won one more game or if the Los Angeles Rams had lost one more close match, Sunday’s game between the two teams could have been a thrilling showdown for the division title and a playoff spot.
Instead, the Seahawks (9-7) are finishing the season without making the playoffs for the second year in a row, while the Rams (10-6) are focused on staying healthy for the postseason.
Matthew Stafford will not play, and many other key players are expected to have limited playing time for the Rams, who have already clinched the NFC West title. The Rams are headed to the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years under coach Sean McVay, who secured his fourth division title last week.
That means veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be starting for the Rams in this game.
“I’m always trying to make decisions that I think are best for our football team,” McVay said. “It might not be best for everybody else, but if you said risk-reward, I think it’s a great opportunity for Jimmy to be able to play. I think it’s also an awesome opportunity for Matthew to be able to get rested, rejuvenated and ready to roll for the playoffs.”
The Rams have won three straight games and 11 of their last 15 against Seattle, who were eliminated from playoff contention after Washington’s win over Atlanta last Sunday, which secured the division for Los Angeles.
Although the Seahawks’ controversial decision to fire longtime coach Pete Carroll didn’t immediately return them to Super Bowl contention, they made it clear they aren’t giving up just yet.
“The focus is on really closing the year out the right way and starting (2025) the right way, too,” coach Mike Macdonald said. “So it’s not what we wanted to be at stake, but it is what it is, and we’re gonna make the most of it.”
Still motivated
The Seahawks are still focused on finishing the season strong. After going 9-8 in each of the last two seasons, they have a chance to reach 10 wins for the first time since 2020. Several individual milestones are also within reach, which could lead to big rewards for quarterback Geno Smith.
“You want your guys to hit those numbers,” Macdonald said. “If it’s within your power, you’re going to try to make that come to life and create as many opportunities for those guys as possible, all within the lens of what’s best for the team and trying to win.”
Resting Rams
Stafford will not suit up, with Stetson Bennett stepping in as Garoppolo’s backup. Right tackle Rob Havenstein will also rest due to a shoulder injury, and he won’t be the only one.
As McVay’s approach in these situations suggests, the Rams will likely give their top players minimal playing time or keep them off the field completely.
McVay may even give himself a break, as offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur called the plays last year in Week 18 when backup Carson Wentz filled in for a resting Stafford.
“That might be the approach that we’ll take this week,” McVay said.
A record within reach
Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just five catches away from breaking Tyler Lockett’s single-season franchise record for receptions, a fact he learned two weeks ago when Lockett told him in the locker room.
“He was like, ‘I think you’re going to break my record. I hope you break my record,’” Smith-Njigba said. “I was like ‘Oh, really?’ A special, special moment.”
While some players might protect their records, Lockett seems ready to pass the torch. Lockett, who has spent 10 seasons with Seattle since being drafted in 2015, set the franchise record with 100 catches in 2020.
“That speaks volumes,” Smith-Njigba said. “That’s just the type of guy he is. He’s going to move the bar really high and help you get there. That means everything to me. And one day, you know, I’ll be doing the same because of the culture that he has built in this building.”
Smith-Njigba also has a chance to break DK Metcalf’s single-season team record for receiving yards if he gets 183 yards in the final game.
Lockett’s record could be broken in what might be his last game with Seattle. After restructuring his contract to reduce his 2024 cap hit, Lockett’s cap number next season is $30.8 million, making it possible that he could leave the team.
