The L.A. Rams and Seattle Seahawks will do battle on Sunday in a key early NFC West battle. The Seahawks have some big expectations floating around them this year after surprising everyone and making the playoffs last season, but can they live up to the hype? Let’s dig into Sunday’s Rams-Seahawks betting odds as we make our predictions and pick the best NFL Week 1 bet!
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Rams-Seahawks Pick & Betting Prediction | NFL Week 1
Rams-Seahawks Betting Odds
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Rams: +180 | Seahawks: -215
Rams +4.5: -110 | Seahawks -4.5: -110
Over 45.5: -115 | Under 45.5: -105
Rams-Seahawks Pick & Prediction
Some folks are really high on the Seattle Seahawks heading into 2023, and while I’m still somewhat skeptical of Geno Smith’s ability to maintain his high level of production from last year, I like the roster construction going on in Seattle. Meanwhile, the Rams are rebuilding, and I don’t expect them to truly contend this year. Their strategy of aggressively trading their future draft picks got them a Super Bowl victory, but they now have to face the consequences of their reckless overspending. The wheels started to come off last year, but with several veterans departing in the offseason, including star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker Bobby Wagner, safety Nick Scott and pass rusher Leonard Floyd, things are about to get much worse.
There was a massive disparity between these teams last year, and that will only grow this year. The Rams ranked 29th in EPA per play (-0.08) and 21st in EPA per play allowed (0.02). The Seahawks ranked 13th in EPA per play (0.01) and 26th in EPA per play allowed (0.03). Seattle’s defense should overtake their division rival in the metric with the addition of several interesting names, including defensive ends Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed, who should shore up a shaky rushing defense, along with Bobby Wagner, who returns from L.A. Safety Julian Love and cornerback Devon Witherspoon should help this secondary improve dramatically, although Witherspoon is questionable for Sunday. They’ll work with last year’s fifth-round cornerback, Tariq Woolen, who surprised most by recording a PFF grade of 71.6 in his first season.
The only possible argument in favor of backing the Rams here is the return of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, the benefits L.A. will reap from his return will likely be offset by Cooper Kupp’s absence. Without him, Stafford’s best targets aren’t all that impressive — Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Puka Nacua and Ben Skowronek are all low-ceiling weapons that can’t sniff Kupp’s production. Offseason rumors that Stafford was struggling to learn the names of his young teammates don’t mean much, but they at least offer some insight into how different — and worse — this Rams team will be this year.
Again, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Seattle knock off L.A. by a single touchdown, which isn’t far from where the spread for this game currently sits. However, with Seattle trading at only -215 (68.3%) on the moneyline, I’m eager to add this leg to a teaser. The new-look Seahawks, who most expected to struggle last season, significantly beat expectations to make the playoffs. Although they weren’t facing much pressure to perform then, I expect them to roll into this season with momentum and beat a Rams team that is virtually unrecognizable from the one that won the Super Bowl just a few seasons ago.
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The Seahawks were trading as a 5.5-point favorite on Tuesday, but their advantage has ticked down to 4.5 following Friday’s injury news. That movement suggests the market never really expected Kupp to suit up. Seattle is now trading at -215 (68.3%) on the moneyline, which is a great add to most teaser bets. I bought the Seattle and Minnesota moneylines in the early week column for worse odds than you’ll find now — that teaser is trading at +108 (48.1%) at the moment. Lock in that number while you can.
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Rams-Seahawks NFL Week 1 Pick: Seattle Moneyline -215 at FanDuel (Teaser Pick)
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