Rams-Seahawks best bets: Can L.A. bounce back in Seattle?

These NFC West rivals were on opposite sides of lopsided results in a pair of divisional contests in Week 4, and now the Los Angeles Rams take to the road in an attempt to get right against a Seattle Seahawks team looking to avenge last season's playoff defeat.

Here's how we're betting Rams-Seahawks:

C Jackson Cowart: Rams -2.5

I've been loudly bullish on the Rams since before the season began, and they've done nothing - last week included - to move me off that position.

Los Angeles' offense hit a snag last week with a pair of turnovers but still averaged 6.3 yards per play - right in line with its 6.6 average, which ranks fourth on the season. Matthew Stafford and Co. should be licking their chops ahead of a matchup against Seattle's secondary, which has allowed 292.5 passing yards per game (fifth-most) and ranks in the bottom 10 in PFF coverage grade.

If Chris Carson (neck) can't go for the Seahawks, it'll seriously limit the ways Seattle can attack one of the more talented defensive units in football. Anything is possible with Russell Wilson in prime time, but I just don't see this as the fair fight this line suggests.

Alex Moretto: Rams -2.5

I bet this at -1 early in the week, but I'm fine playing it at the current price - I'd cut it off at -2.5, though. We're getting a decent discount here thanks to Week 4's results. The Cardinals shelled the Rams - in something of a letdown spot after dismantling the Buccaneers - while the Seahawks won fairly convincingly as underdogs in San Francisco.

However, neither result was quite as it appeared. The Rams and Cardinals were essentially equal in yards per play, rush, and pass, with Los Angeles getting punished for some uncharacteristic turnovers. Meanwhile, Seattle capitalized on Trey Lance coming in cold in the second half for his first real taste of NFL action. The 49ers actually averaged two more yards per play than the Seahawks, had nine more first downs, and out-gained them by 223 yards.

The Seahawks defense is legitimately bad, and while I believe the Rams defense isn't as good as people seem to think, it's still a couple of tiers above Seattle's. The bottom line is the Seahawks are giving up yards in bunches, especially through the air. And while the atmosphere should be electric in Seattle, Stafford's been around the block and won't be intimidated in what's a get-right spot for Los Angeles.

Matt Russell: Under 54.5

At first blush, it's easy to think the over is the play when you see a Stafford-Wilson matchup against two secondaries that have been a little leaky this season. However, these teams know each other's offensive game plan well enough that last year's two regular-season matchups stayed under the total.

Then in the playoffs, a 50-point game broke out from a 6-3 score through 20 minutes of play, aided by a pick-6 and game script that lent itself to late scoring. However, the Rams should be more one-dimensional in a raucous atmosphere without Cam Akers carrying the load like he did in January. Los Angeles will also invite Seattle to run the football, and subsequently, longer drives should ensue.

In important games, Sean McVay and Pete Carroll tend to play conservatively, opting to kick more frequently and run plays that won't lead to turnovers. I expect this contest to look more like a "first to 24 wins" than "first to 30." I'm hoping to see this total go up to 55, in case of a 28-27 or 31-24 type of game.

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