The Seattle Seahawks head to Los Angeles for their first meeting against the NFC West rival Rams this Sunday, and the Week 11 showdown has quickly become a measuring stick for two of the top teams in the league.
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This week’s numbers that matter focus on one thing that’s been special for the Rams (Matthew Stafford) and a wrinkle they’ve throw in on offense over the last month.
Another MVP
Your first number that matters is: 20
Seattle’s defense has been exceptional this season, but it’ll be facing its toughest opponent yet on Sunday.
Stafford’s 25 touchdown passes lead the NFL, putting him firmly in the conversation for MVP through 10 weeks. But more impressive is his current hot streak (and by streak, I mean a nearly two-month tear). Stafford’s two interceptions this season came in Weeks 2 and 3, meaning that he’s thrown 20 straight touchdowns without a single interception. He’s thrown at least four per game in each of the last three weeks, including a five-touchdown performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A change for the Rams
Your second number that matters is: 13
Sean McVay’s Rams were at the forefront of an explosion in “11 personnel” usage in 2017, but they’ve adapted since then – most especially over the last month.
The Rams have been using “13 personnel” – one receiver, one running back, three tight ends – more than ever this year. Maybe they love the matchups their tights draw or maybe they’re trying to manipulate a defense to allow for explosive plays over the top. Maybe they’re doing it as a response to a few receiver injuries. Either way, it’s been working. Per Next Gen Stats, four of the Rams’ six touchdowns against the 49ers were out of “13 personnel,” and they used it on 44% of all offensive plays. If you can believe it, that was actually down from the week prior.
What’s it mean for Seattle’s defense? Maybe little. On Thursday’s edition of her podcast, ESPN’s Mina Kimes said the Seahawks match base defense with “12 personnel” and “13 personnel” at the lowest rate. They play well out of nickel, and that defensive performance this season – the ability to bring pressure without blitzing and completely neutralize the run – can be what gives Seattle the edge Sunday.
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