The Los Angeles Rams aren’t making it easy for the Seattle Seahawks to plan for arguably the most well-balanced offense in the NFL, but a huge update about the status of All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams can make the job easier ahead of the tussle for the NFC West crown on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.
Adam is listed as doubtful for the game at Lumen Field, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A hamstring injury suffered against the Detroit Lions last week has the league leader in touchdown receptions laid low.
Not having to face Adams would be a major boost for the Seahawks, even if the Rams are still trying to keep them guessing. Fortunately, Adams’ uncertain status isn’t the only boost the Seahawks have received before the biggest game of their season.
Davante Adams’ Status Not the Only Challenge for Rams
Not having Adams available to face a stellar Seattle secondary would be a significant blow to a Rams team already dealing with a problem out of their control. Schefter also reported “The Rams’ team flight that was supposed to be leaving any minute now is expected to be significantly delayed due to an equipment issue with the plane, per sources. The team currently is working on alternative travel arrangements to prevent any further delays getting to Seattle.”
An update soon followed, with Schefter confirming “The Rams’ new game plan for their trip to Seattle: Players and coaches now will leave on a 737 scheduled at 5:25 pm PT. The remainder of the Rams’ staff will leave later on another plane.”
Delayed, disjointed travel is a negative intangible the Rams weren’t counting on, but it only enhances the Seahawks’ advantage in preparation and freshness. The home team also played earlier than their fiercest division rival in Week 15, so the Seahawks ought to set the early tempo and intensity on Thursday night.
Most of that intensity should come from a dominant defense facing an easier task if Adams can’t take to the field.
Seahawks Defense Has the Advantage
It’s little wonder Rams head coach Sean McVay attempted to leave Adams’ status an open question, per Nick Hamilton of Nitecast Media. McVay knows the value of the six-time Pro Bowl wideout in an offense with no discernible weakness.
Adams has been prolific in the red zone and a threat on the perimeter all season long. In the process, the veteran has served as the perfect complement to fellow receiver Puka Nacua, who continues to work every level of defenses in multiple ways.
Nacua is the workhorse of the Rams’ passing game, but Adams is the finisher. Not having to face him will give the Seahawks freedom to bracket Nacua all over the field.
It will also mean being able to commit more defenders to the box on early downs in an attempt to thwart a punishing running game. That “two-headed run game of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum and the success they’re having in three-tight-end sets gives them ways to play around it in the interim,” the it being Adams’ injury, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic.
Putting potential Defensive Rookie of the Year, downhill, do-all safety Nick Emmanwori closer to the line of scrimmage will be key to slowing the Rams on the ground. Making the visitors one-dimensional is the aim, and it’s also the best way to assist a struggling Seahawks offense set to be without quarterback Sam Darnold’s vital blindside protector.
Darnold is keen to make amends for his four-interception disaster-class when these two teams met back in Week 11, but Seattle’s smothering defense feasting on Adam-less Rams appears a more realistic route to victory.
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