Los Angeles @ Seattle preview
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Last Meeting ( Dec 27, 2020 ) L.A. Rams 9, Seattle 20
Los Angeles coach Sean McVay was asked whether he had a timetable to determine his starting quarterback for the Rams' playoff opener Saturday afternoon at Seattle.
"Yeah," McVay said. "Saturday at 1:39."
That would be just before the scheduled 1:40 p.m. PT kickoff for the NFC wild-card matchup.
Starter Jared Goff suffered a fractured right thumb in a 20-9 loss at Seattle on Dec. 27 and had surgery the following day.
John Wolford replaced Goff last weekend against Arizona, helping the Rams clinch a playoff berth with an 18-7 victory. Wolford completed 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards and rushed for a team-high 56 yards, becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for 200 and rush for 50 in their debut.
"Jared is our starting quarterback -- the reality is that he had a thumb surgery," McVay said. "We're monitoring that every single day, and that's something we're taking a day at a time, but the anticipation is both those guys are getting themselves ready to go."
Troy Hill returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown for the Rams (10-6), and the league's top-ranked defense also contributed a safety, while the offense failed to reach the end zone for the second consecutive game.
Los Angeles' defense allowed the fewest points, total yards, yards passing, touchdown passes and first downs in the league this season.
"We're happy with what we accomplished as a unit," Rams defensive end Morgan Fox said. "It was something that was in the back of our minds. Everything in the forefront was winning games and trying to be the best team that we could be, but it is a cool achievement. I think everyone kind of saw and noticed it, but everyone is focused on Seattle and winning everything. We're pumped about it, but it's not done."
The Seahawks (12-4), who clinched the NFC West title with their victory Dec. 27 against Los Angeles, rallied from a 10-point deficit to win their regular-season finale 26-23 against San Francisco in Glendale, Ariz.
Russell Wilson threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Tyler Lockett, who finished with a franchise-record 100 catches this season.
"I'm really fired up that we continue to be a finishing club and we find ways to do it," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said.
If not for a 49ers touchdown with 23 seconds remaining Sunday, the Seahawks would have held each of their final six opponents to fewer than 20 points.
"Where we were at the beginning of season to where we are at now is night and day, but we've got to keep it up," Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said.
The Seahawks have their own injury concerns heading into the wild-card round.
Safety Jamal Adams, who set an NFL record for sacks by a defensive back with 9 1/2 this season, suffered a left shoulder injury in the second half of the regular-season finale. Both Adams and defensive tackle Jarran Reed (oblique), who was second on the team with 6 1/2 sacks, have missed practice time this week.
Adams insisted he'll play Saturday. "Let's get that out there -- I'm full-go."
The Seahawks and Rams split their two meetings this season, with Los Angeles winning 23-16 on Nov. 15 at home behind Malcolm Brown's two rushing touchdowns.
Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the first meeting against the Seahawks, but plans to return Saturday.
--Field Level Media