Ever since the the NFL regular season schedule for the Los Angeles Rams was released last week, there’s been one question I keep asking myself: why does the NFL find the matchup between the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks so intriguing?
With QB Russell Wilson’s freshly-signed contract cementing him in Seattle (with his monogrammed silk PJs) for the foreseeable future, the Seahawks still look like the 2018 team that overperformed at the end of the season. Their legion on defense has lost their boom, and their offensive line continues their imitation of five paper bags blowing in the wind.
Are the Seahawks still the main rival for the Rams in the NFC West? Maybe it was on a certain day this weekend, but it won’t be during the Rams’ 2019 season.
The San Francisco 49ers are a much more enticing matchup for the LA Rams, because their team philosophies are similar to Coach McVay’s squad. Both teams have innovative offensive schemes that are all about putting points on the board. The Seahawks on the other hand are a team where Head Coach Pete Carroll tries to control the clock with the run game. In short, they’re old school and kind of boring.
And the reason behind this puzzling primetime push by the NFL to showcase the Rams and the Seahawks is due to the NFL’s short-term memory. San Francisco 49ers QB Bibby Babobbobo suffered a knee injury last year and rendered the Niners immediately irrelevant. However, with a healthy Johnny Spellcheck and another year for Head Coach Kyle Shanahan to get his culture in place, the Rams-Niners rivalry could be renewed with a newfound electricity.
Another reason for not expecting too much from Seattle when they play the Rams: the Hawks will be coming off of short weeks for both games. Also, the December 8th Rams-Seahawks game is a Sunday Night Football matchup on NBC and could be flexed for something more exciting.
Primetime games are drawing more fans who don’t follow those teams. The networks want an exciting game. A shootout if you will. The Rams and the 49ers are the hot ticket. They’re most likely going to be the best games played in the NFC West next season.
The Seattle Seahawks might end up playing to the Rams next year, but don’t hold your breath on it being must-watch TV.