Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams 2017: Week 5 Prediction, Betting Odds

The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams will battle for first place in the NFC West when they meet for the first time this year in Week 5 of the 2017 NFL season. L.A. is coming off a big road win against the Dallas Cowboys, while Seattle blew out the Indianapolis Colts on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 4.

The latest betting odds have Los Angeles favored by 1.5 points at home, via OddsShark, and the over/under is 47. Here’s a closer look at the Week 5 game, as well as a prediction against the spread:

Why the Rams could cover the spread

With four games worth of evidence available, it’s time to admit that the Rams have a good offense. Maybe it won’t be the best in the league when the season comes to an end, but L.A. is vastly improved under first-year head coach Sean McVay, and they can score with most teams in the NFL.

An improved offensive line has made a tremendous difference, allowing the Rams’ weapons to make plays. Todd Gurley has been incredible in the receiving game, catching 20 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He’s the NFL’s No.2 rusher behind only Kareem Hunt, and he even averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the team’s only loss against an impressive Washington Redskins’ defense.

While Seattle’s defense remains the strength of their team, the Seahawks are vulnerable against the run. After allowing Carlos Hyde to rush for 124 yards on 15 attempts in Week 2, Seattle let the Tennessee Titans rush for 195 yards on 5.6 yards per carry in Week 3. The Seahawks are 27th in rushing yards allowed and 30th in opponents’ yards per carry.

Gurley should open things up for the passing game as Jared Goff continues to impress in his sophomore season. His 112.2 passer rating is good for third in the NFL, and he’s only thrown one interception in four games.

It remains to be seen if Seattle can continue the momentum they’ve built on offense with their recent injuries. Left tackle Rees Odhiambo could be sidelined for a few weeks, and starting running back Chris Carson is out with a broken leg. The Rams’ biggest weakness is their inability to stop the run, and the Seahawks will be in trouble if they can’t take advantage of it.

Why the Seahawks could cover the spread

The Rams are clearly better than the team that went 4-12 a year ago and didn’t sniff a playoff berth. Have they made the jump to becoming the best team in the NFC West in just one year?

That would be a lot to ask of a team that’s led by a second-year quarterback that didn’t look like he belonged in the NFL as a rookie. Goff has put up good numbers against some of the NFL’s worst defenses. Doing that against Seattle’s defense won’t be nearly as easy.

Only three teams have allowed fewer yards through the air than the Seahawks. Seattle limited Aaron Rodgers to his worst passer rating of the season. A week after Jacoby Brissett had the game of his life, he was back down to a 67.7 passer rating at CenturyLink Field.

Despite Goff’s improvements, he still struggles under pressure. The quarterback completed just three of 11 passes for 16 yards while under duress against Dallas, according to Pro Football Focus.

Seattle’s offense could be turning a corner after a slow start. Russell Wilson has posted passer ratings of 110.3 and 107.5 in his last two games. Los Angeles’ defense hasn’t exactly been a bright spot, allowing 32 points per game when they aren’t facing Scott Tolzien. Any struggles by Goff could allow the Seahawks to steal a win in L.A. and jump into first place for the first time this year.

Prediction

Despite how well the Rams have played through one-quarter of the season, oddsmakers still peg the Seahawks as the favorites in the division. Seattle would be favored over L.A. on a neutral field, and a win Sunday would hardly be considered an upset.

But Los Angeles proved that they are a legitimate playoff contender by winning in Dallas last week. Their offense is for real, and the unit has a good chance to get the better of an aging defense that isn’t quite what it was in years’ past.

L.A. is the new team to beat in the NFC West.

Los Angeles over Seattle, 29-20