Week 5 of the 2021 NFL schedule begins with a high-profile matchup between division rivals on Thursday Night Football. The Los Angeles Rams will visit the Seattle Seahawks in a battle that could have a significant impact on the NFC West standings and NFL playoff picture. Los Angeles is 3-1 this season, with Seattle entering at 2-2 through four weeks.
Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. ET in Seattle. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Rams as 2.5-point road favorites, while the Over-Under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 54.5 in the latest Rams vs. Seahawks odds. Before you make any Rams vs. Seahawks picks and NFL predictions, make sure you see what SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say.
White, a CBS Sports fantasy and gambling editor, ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It’s no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world’s most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest.
In addition, White has gone an astounding 35-17-1 on his last 53 picks involving Los Angeles, returning more than $1,500. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, White has set his sights on Seahawks vs. Rams. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Now, here are several NFL betting lines and trends for Rams vs. Seahawks:
- Seahawks vs. Rams spread: Rams -2.5
- Seahawks vs. Rams over-under: 54.5 points
- Seahawks vs. Rams money line: Rams -135, Seahawks +115
- LAR: Over has hit in all four Rams games this season
- SEA: Seahawks are 2-2 against the spread this season
Why the Rams can cover
Los Angeles leads the NFL in scoring efficiency, producing points on 58.6 percent of drives, and is No. 1 in points per drive, averaging 3.28 points on every possession. The Rams are a top-12 team in total offense, generating more than 370 yards in each game to this point, and are strong in turnover avoidance, committing only four giveaways in four games.
Through the air, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp lead the league’s No. 2 team in passing touchdowns (11) and the Rams are No. 1 in net yards per pass attempt (8.6). Seattle is currently the league’s worst team in first downs allowed (107) and total defense (1,778 yards), giving no reason to believe the Rams should slow down in this matchup.
Why the Seahawks can cover
Seattle’s offense is dynamic and Los Angeles isn’t playing quite as well on defense as preseason projections hoped. The Seahawks are a top-eight team in touchdown passes, yards per pass attempt, rushing touchdowns, yards per carry and yards per drive through four games, and they have only one turnover in 2021.
Quarterback Russell Wilson leads the NFL in passer rating (129.9) and yards per attempt (9.6), and the Seahawks haven’t uncorked a single interception. Los Angeles does have defensive talent, but the Rams are 27th in total defense, allowing nearly 400 yards per game. The Rams are giving up 40.1 yards per drive and allowing opponents to convert 50 percent of their third down chances. That and a run defense yielding 4.7 yards per carry paint a favorable picture for Seattle’s offense.
How to make Seahawks vs. Rams picks
White has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning over the total, he has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s only sharing what it is, and who to back, at SportsLine.
So who wins Rams vs. Seahawks on Thursday Night Football? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see White’s Rams vs. Seahawks picks, all from the NFL expert who’s 35-17 on picks involving Los Angeles, and find out.
