Rams vs. Seahawks: How they match up

Rams pass offense vs. Seahawks pass defense: After progressing in his first three starts, rookie quarterback Jared Goff struggled mightily last week against the Falcons. He had two passes intercepted — one was returned for a touchdown — and also had the ball stripped and returned for a touchdown. Goff is completing only 55% of his passes, four for touchdowns, with five interceptions. His receivers continue to be plagued by drops, but he also missed some open throws. The Seahawks rank ninth in the NFL in pass defense, giving up 231.5 yards a game. End Cliff Avril has 10 sacks, end Frank Clark 71/2. Star safety Earl Thomas suffered a broken leg two weeks ago.

EDGE: Seahawks.

Rams run offense vs. Seahawks run defense: After the loss to the Falcons, Todd Gurley said it looked as if the Rams were running a “middle school offense.” Gurley has rushed for 740 yards and five touchdowns. He is averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Gurley has not run for more than 85 yards in game this season. Benny Cunningham is out for the second consecutive week because of a neck injury.The Seahawks are giving up 104.2 yards rushing per game, which ranks 19th in the NFL. Linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright are the top tacklers for a unit that gave up 93 yards rushing in last week’s loss at Green Bay.

EDGE: Seahawks.

Seahawks pass offense vs. Rams pass defense: Russell Wilson, hobbled by an ankle sprain in a loss to the Rams in September, is at full strength. Wilson is completing 65% of his passes, 13 for touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. Last week at Green Bay he completed 22 of 39 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown with five interceptions. Receiver Doug Baldwin has 74 catches for 878 yards and five touchdowns. The Rams’ defensive front has failed to create much pressure the last three games. Tackle Aaron Donald has a team-best seven sacks. The Rams rank eighth in pass defense, giving up 230.2 yards per game.

EDGE: Seahawks.

Seahawks run offense vs. Rams run defense: Thomas Rawls in the primary back for an offense that averages 104.2 yards rushing per game. Rawls has run for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson is second on the team with 207 yards. After getting run over by Mark Ingram of New Orleans and LeGarrette Blount and others of New England, the Rams gave up only 66 yards rushing to Atlanta. Linebacker Alec Ogletree is the top tackler for a defense that is giving up 110.3 yards per game, which ranks 20th in the NFL.

EDGE: Rams.

Special teams: Mike Thomas muffed the opening kickoff against Atlanta and it led to a touchdown. But the Rams special teams — other than some questionable decisions by punt returner Tavon Austin — have been good. Question is, how far does special-teams coordinator John Fassel step away, if at all, to oversee the team as interim coach? Johnny Hekker is averaging 47.6 yards per punt. He has put 46 inside the 20 to tie an NFL single-season record. Greg Zuerlein has made 16 of 19 field-goal attempts. Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka has made 27 of 30 field-goal attempts. Punter Jon Ryan has averaged 44.8 yards per kick.

EDGE: Rams.

Gary Klein’s pick: Despite the Rams’ struggles, if Jeff Fisher was still the coach it would be natural to predict a close game. The Rams, after all, have defeated the Seahawks three times in a row, including last season at CenturyLink Field and this season at the Coliseum, both with Case Keenum at quarterback. But most Rams players were crestfallen after Fisher was fired Monday. Now they must regroup and play the NFC West leaders, who are trying to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. If Goff thought it was a tough environment at New Orleans and New England, wait until he deals with the noise — and cold — in Seattle.

Seahawks 28, Rams 10