GDT 9/21: (L) Rams at Seahawks, 3:05 CT

[kah]

I hear Seattle is a really nice place.

[davhaf]

I hear Seattle is a really nice place.

Too much rain, everybody looks like a prune.

[Cardz82]

Is Seattle bad enough for the Rams to at least make this a game?

[Bleacher Creature]

I think the Rams will keep the final score to less than the spread.

[sportschick]

Too much rain, everybody looks like a prune.

Sooo.....everybody is all shriveled up?!
ew. gross.

[kah]

[kah]

[kah]

[kah]

[Bleacher Creature]

[davhaf]

Sooo.....everybody is all shriveled up?!
ew. gross.

[4thand1]

(0-2)

04:05 p.m. ET, Sun 09/21 Qwest Field
St. Louis
Seattle

(0-2)


Local Radio:
- KLOU-FM (103.3) & KTRS-AM (550) – Steve Savard, Jim Hanifan, and Malcolm Briggs (sideline reporter)
- Sirius NFL radio: 130

Online Audio:
- choose your station
- http://www.krei.com


http://the506.com/nflmaps/2008-03-FOX.html

[4thand1]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/matc...id=20080921026



By Clare Farnsworth and Jim Thomas One of these teams has to win. Don't they? The Rams have been outscored 79-16 in dropping their first two games; the Seahawks have surrendered 30-plus points in back-to-back regular season games for the first time since Weeks 7-8 in 2006. Each was embarrassed in its home opener last week -- the Rams being drubbed 41-13 by the Giants and the Seahawks losing a lead and falling in a 33-30 overtime loss to the 49ers.
When they face each other, these NFC West rivals have traditionally played games that are close, entertaining or both.
One of the biggest story lines this week is the return to Qwest Field of clutch kicker Josh Brown, who jumped from the Seahawks to the Rams in free agency this offseason. The fans, and even some of his former teammates, have not forgiven Brown -- especially after he tried to explain the move by saying it wasn't all about the money, but winning.
Another key element is the lack of defense displayed by both teams -- the Rams in each of their games; the Seahawks in frittering away a 14-0 lead against the 49ers by allowing them to drive to game-tying and game-winning field goals late in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The Seahawks have had major problems in the past trying to contain the Rams' pitcher-catcher combo of Marc Bulger and Torry Holt, while the Rams will be facing a Seahawks offense that doesn't even come close to resembling the unit it yielded 33 and 24 points to while being swept last season.
Rams Keys For Success

1. Play keepaway. With a leaky defense and a battered quarterback through two games, the Rams' best bet is to give Steven Jackson a steady diet of handoffs in Seattle. Even if the run isn't working early, the Rams need a commitment to the running game. Jackson had 17 touches in Week 1 and 20 touches in Week 2. He needs 25 to 30 carries/receptions to shorten the game and get the line in sync. 2. Protect the passer. Quarterback Marc Bulger has been sacked 10 times in two games, including six times Sunday against the New York Giants. At this rate, Bulger won't last to November. The Rams simply have to protect Bulger better. The Rams tried a lot of quick passes against the Giants and need to continue that. Every time the Rams went deep, Bulger seemed to be under siege.
3. Shore up the secondary. In two games this season, opposing passers have a stellar 129.2 rating against St. Louis, including six TD passes and no interceptions. Too many long passes have come on busted coverages. Cornerback Tye Hill's confidence is way down. An injury-plagued Seattle wide receiver corps could help the Rams get their confidence back, but maybe a lineup change or two should be in order for the back four.

Seahawks Keys For Success

1. Disrupt the Rams' passing game. The Seahawks got to 49ers QB J.T. O'Sullivan for eight sacks last week, but had no turnovers to show for the effort. Of even bigger concern was the fact that they could not close the �windows� in the Mike Martz-coordinated passing game, which O'Sullivan used to pick the Seahawks apart. Martz had similar success while head coach of the Rams, especially with Bulger throwing to Holt. 2. Get some plays from the wide receivers. First, the Seahawks must find some wide receivers. Injuries already have claimed Nate Burleson, Ben Obomanu and Logan Payne for the season, Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee) are due back until after the Week 4 bye and backup QB/WR Seneca Wallace pulled a calf muscle in pre-game warm-ups last Sunday. That left QB Matt Hasselbeck with the odd assortment of Courtney Taylor (four catches in two games); Billy McMullen, who was signed on Wednesday and forced to play when he wasn't scheduled to; and rookie Michael Bumpus, who was signed off the practice squad Saturday. Is it any wonder that rookie tight end John Carlson had one less catch (six) than the three wideouts combined?
3. Get their special teams act together. In the season-opening loss to the Bills, the Seahawks surrendered a 63-yard punt return for a score and a TD pass to a defensive end off a fake field goal, as well as fumbling a kickoff return and shanking a 22-yard punt to set up 10 more points. Against the 49ers, they had a punt blocked and gave up a 44-yard kickoff return. Special teams? Not the Seahawks. Not yet, anyway.

[jack jones]

I think the Rams will keep the final score to less than the spread.

I was also surprised to see 10 given their injuries and last week's game against SF. Still wouldn't back that thought up with money. When was the last time the Rams covered or beat the spread?

Your team looks great. AH is probably the best defensive player in the game.

[Bleacher Creature]

Your team looks great. AH is probably the best defensive player in the game.

Kieth Bullock and Kyle Vanden Bosch to name a couple others are kicking it in, also. As long as Kerry Collins just manages the offense, they'll do just fine.