This week’s matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams got pushed to Tuesday due to a COVID outbreak for the Rams. But all the delay might have done is hurt the Seahawks, who are dealing with an outbreak of their own now.
But this will be an important game for whoever manages to make it on the field. With a win, the Rams can pull even with the Cardinals for the top spot in the NFC West. While the Seahawks need a win if they have any hope at the playoffs.
Find out in our free NFL betting picks and predictions for Seahawks vs. Rams on Tuesday, December 21.
Seahawks vs Rams odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
With so many players landing on the COVID list for this matchup, this line has jumped all over the place. The Rams opened this matchup favored by a touchdown but when Rams players started testing positive by the bunches the line dropped all the way to 3.5. However, with the game pushed back and the Rams potentially getting players back, the line has returned close to the opening number. Meanwhile, the total hit the board at 47.5 and has been bet as low as 45.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full NFL odds before placing your bets.
Seahawks vs Rams predictions
- Prediction: Rams -6.5 (-110)
- Prediction: Under 46 (-110)
- Best bet: Darrell Henderson Over 16.5 receiving yards (-110)
Predictions made on 12/20/2021 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Seahawks vs Rams game info
• Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
• Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2021
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
Seahawks at Rams betting preview
Weather
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Key injuries
Seahawks: Tyler Lockett WR (Questionable), Alex Collins RB (Questionable), Brandon Shell OT (Questionable), Kerry Hyder Jr. DE (Questionable), D.J. Reed CB (Questionable).
Rams: Von Miller LB (Questionable), Jordan Fuller S (Questionable), Tyler Higbee TE (Questionable), Brian Allen C (Questionable), Rob Havenstein OT (Questionable).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 4-0 in the Seahawks' last four games as a road underdog and 4-1 in the last five meetings between the Seahawks and Rams. Find more NFL betting trends for Seahawks vs. Rams.
Seahawks vs Rams picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
It would be understandable that the Seahawks would be irritated by the way this whole process has played out. The Rams were unable to field a team, the game gets pushed back, and now they are missing some players.
The other problem for the Seahawks, of course, is their level of play this season. The defense continues to be full of holes and Russell Wilson just doesn’t look the same since returning from his broken finger.
That said, Seattle enters this game having won two games in a row, upsetting the San Francisco 49ers before taking care of business against the Houston Texans last week. But want to hear a crazy stat? The win over the Texans was the first time the Seahawks had outgained an opponent since Week 1 against the Colts, and Wilson is a big part of that.
Yes, the offensive line still struggles in pass protection, but Wilson isn’t helping his cause. In his five games since returning from a broken finger, he is completing 62% of his passes with just 6.8 yards per attempt. That would rank 24th in the NFL.
Now, he faces a Rams defense that ranks sixth in DVOA and should have both Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald back for this one. A defense that dominated the Seahawks 26-17 back in Week 5.
Another issue for the Seahawks in this one is Matthew Stafford. Jokes aside, Stafford is in another groove right now. He is completing 66% of his passes for 884 yards with nine touchdowns and just one pick over his last three games. Now, he faces a Seahawks defense that ranks 28th in DVOA against the pass.
L.A. is also expected to have both Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel available for this game as well. So, with a balanced offense and an edge in defense, the Rams are the side to back here.
Prediction: Rams -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
When it comes to the total, the Under has seen the early action and we’re inclined to agree.
While the Seahawks have put up 30-plus points in each of the last two weeks, they have gotten a little lucky with turnovers, returns, and well, playing the Texans. Even with those outbursts, the Seahawks still rank 20th in scoring and prior to those games they had scored 20 points or fewer in six of their previous seven, including putting up just 17 against the Rams.
It certainly won’t help that the status of wide receiver Tyler Lockett and running back Alex Collins is still up in the air due to COVID.
On the other side, while the Seahawks struggle against the pass, they have been very strong against the run, ranking ninth in DVOA and first in opponent yards per rush. The Rams mostly run to set up the pass, but they still lean on it from time to time and if the Seahawks can eliminate one avenue of the Rams attack they focus on disrupting Stafford in the passing game.
When you add in the limited practice for countless players due to COVID and we’re leaning towards the Under.
Prediction: Under 46 (-110)
Best bet
The Rams got a bit of a boost when they were able to activate Odell Beckham and Darrell Henderson off the COVID-19 reserve list and Henderson, in particular, could be a big weapon in this matchup.
No team in the NFL has a harder time containing running backs in the passing game than the Seahawks. They rank dead last in the league in yards and receptions allowed, and while Henderson hasn’t been a huge threat out of the backfield this season, his number is low enough we can’t ignore it.
Oddsmakers posted Henderson’s receiving yards total at 16.5, a number Henderson has gone Over seven times in his 10 games played this season, including going for 17 yards against the Seahawks earlier in the season.
Pick: Darrell Henderson Over 16.5 receiving yards (-110)
