Good morning and happy Sunday, Seattle Seahawks fans! We’re just a few hours away from the final installment of the rivalry between the Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. I can tell everyone is excited to see this game, and by “everyone” I mean Rams fans. The highlights of the win over the Atlanta Falcons were offset by the terrifying incompetence against the Buffalo Bills. Although the Rams are rising, they are theoretically not as good as the Bills. Does this mean the Seahawks will end their losing streak at home and ease the upset? My prediction is coming soon.

First a painful look back last week’s predictions:

Bold prediction: Noah Fant gets his first touchdown in almost two seasons

Not only was he a non-factor, but he’s also injured, so he won’t score a touchdown for a while.

Seahawks offensive prediction: Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combine for over 100 yards rushing

Hahahahaha.

Seahawks defense prediction: They will be the first team to intercept Josh Allen

Josh Jobe wasn’t on my radar at this point, but he got Allen in the second quarter. The Seahawks predictably scored no points.

Enemy Prediction: Josh Allen won’t be fired

Correct. He was dismissed by Boye Mafe, but was recalled for a penalty, so it goes down as a zero sack day.

Game prediction: Seahawks lose a good one

It wasn’t close.

Let’s try it again this week!

Bold prediction: Kyren Williams’ touchdown streak ends

Williams is on a great streak. He’s scored a touchdown in 10 straight regular-season games, although last week against the Minnesota Vikings marked the first time he didn’t score a rushing TD in that span. The third-year player has developed into a good running back who should also be respected as a receiving back. He hasn’t been a particularly efficient rusher this season (3.8 yards per carry), but he played behind a broken OL and didn’t play in the Seahawks’ defense.

All signs point to another trip to the end zone for Williams. This is a GREAT prediction, damn it! I might as well be bold and say the Seahawks will find a way to keep him without touchdowns. Of course, that doesn’t mean he won’t play in a big game.

Seahawks offensive prediction: AJ Barner leads the team in receptions

With Noah Fant out, AJ Barner is TE1 for a day. He has 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. Most of his targets are plays designed for him, which is a lot more than I expected from the rookie out of Michigan. I’m much more impressed with his receiving skills than his blocking skills, and he seems to have soft hands and the ability to get open in zones.

Seattle won’t get many shot play opportunities with DK Metcalf out. The Rams rank 32nd in DVOA defending tight ends. This is the day Barner makes the case for being the TE1 long-term. Put him in play-action boots, let him work under zones and maybe see if he can challenge LA’s linebackers in man coverage. I think this will be a breakout game for Barner, with Geno Smith giving him the ball in abundance.

Seahawks defense prediction: Ernest Jones IV fires his former teammate

Jones is questionable due to a neck injury, so this prediction could blow up in my face before noon. I’m assuming he’ll play, otherwise the Seahawks are super thin at linebacker. Jones had his ups and downs in his Seahawks debut, but he looks like a good tackler and one of his best skills is getting after the quarterback on the blitz.

The Seahawks have been one of the worst teams in the league this season, and while I worry that Stafford could tear Seattle apart if Mike Macdonald sends in an extra rusher, one of them has to go home. I think Ernest Jones IV is getting a bit of revenge on his former team. Seattle had no sacks last week, I think we’ll see Jones get a sack today.

Enemy prediction: Matthew Stafford throws for over 300 yards

Stafford hasn’t thrown for more than 300 yards since opening day against the Detroit Lions. He never touched the ball in overtime, so it’s a 300-plus yard day without the help of OT possessions. Last year in the season opener against Seattle, Stafford dropped 334 on the Seahawks and tore them up in every way possible.

Forgive me if I sound like an extreme downer, but I may have vastly overestimated how good the Seahawks secondary actually is. In addition to the coverage breakdowns we see at the second level, the back end has had some ugly moments all season when facing competent quarterbacks. I see Stafford loading up on explosive plays to his top two receivers and even the odd deep ball to Damarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell.

Game Prediction: Seahawks get hammered

I haven’t picked the Seahawks to win since the game against the New York Giants. I also didn’t pick them to lose by blowout if I picked against them. That part ends today. Obviously I hope I’m wrong, but with the help of my completely unproven vibes checker I sense something is wrong with this team.

Stylistically, this is a terrible matchup. Seattle is one of the worst teams in the NFL when it comes to defending the short middle of the field, while Matthew Stafford has been one of the best QBs attacking the middle. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua available, this is a mismatch unless the Seahawks defensive line overwhelms the Rams offensive line.

Defensively, the Rams are not a particularly good unit, ranking near the bottom in DVOA and EPA/play. They have Jared Verse as their Rookie of the Year candidate and he is a nightmare for this Seahawks offensive line. I’m not sure they can handle Byron Young, especially since he’s allowed to wear a face mask without penalty. LA’s secondary isn’t as good as Buffalo’s, so if Seattle’s receivers can’t get open against the Rams corners, then we have a real problem. I’ve almost given up on the run game.

I think Seattle’s offense will be better (even without DK Metcalf) than what we saw against the Bills, but it will be more soul-destroying than last week. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 41-23 and we’re all wondering if the Seahawks will go from buyers to sellers as the trade deadline approaches on Tuesday.