The Seahawks open the 2023 season at Lumen Field on Sunday, an NFC West clash against the Los Angeles Rams. After a tough 2022 season that saw them finish with a 5-12 record, the Rams made significant changes to their roster and will come to Seattle with one of the league's youngest team, but also some veteran star power from the likes of quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive lineman Aaron Donald. To learn more about this week's opponent, we reached out with to Rams senior writer Stuart Jackson with five questions about the Rams.
The Seahawks need only look back to their 2022 season to know that outside expectations don't determine a team's fate. With that in mind, how are Sean McVay and the Rams embracing the challenge of this season when a lot of folks are counting them out?
Jackson: Mainly by focusing on themselves and not the external narrative, or as McVay said back in the spring during one of the first team meetings of the offseason program, the importance of "being inside-out and not outside-in." There's plenty of internal drive and motivation for them to take on that challenge without the influence of external factors.
With Cooper Kupp sidelined by a hamstring injury, who needs to step up at receiver?
Jackson: McVay ruled out Kupp on Wednesday. It's hard to replace him with just one player, so it will take a collective effort between Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson and rookie Puka Nacua.
There are a lot of new faces on defense around Aaron Donald, how is that unit looking after an offseason of change?
Jackson: The return of defensive back John Johnson III toward the end of training camp for his second stint with the team gave the secondary a veteran presence, and the signing of Ahkello Witherspoon this summer also provided another experienced defensive back. Third-year inside linebacker Ernest Jones is mature beyond his years and his teammates voted him a captain for the first time this year. Outside linebacker had the most turnover when comparing this year's initial 53-man roster to last year and is the most inexperienced group. That said, it's a young but hungry group overall eager to prove itself.
What players could be an X-factor for the Rams this week?
Jackson: I'll go with the starting offensive line. Given the well-documented amount of injuries the Rams experienced at that position last year, a strong start from their best five will be important for setting the tone not only in Week 1, but the rest of the season as they try to better protect quarterback Matthew Stafford.
What matchup are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Sunday?
Jackson: I'm most looking forward to seeing who matches up with DK Metcalf. Even when Jalen Ramsey played "star" – the hybrid nickel defensive back position on the Rams' defense – he still matched up with Metcalf a few times in those games. Size-wise, the Rams don't have a defensive back similar to Ramsey on their roster, so I'm curious to see how they'll handle that matchup against a big-bodied receiver.
The Seahawks and Rams face off for the last game of the regular season on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Rams.
Los Angeles Rams kicker Tom Dempsey (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 31, 1976, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Cornell Webster (38) stops Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Drew Hill (29) during an NFL pre-season game Aug. 19, 1979 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jack Youngblood (85) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn for a loss during the first quarter in this Aug. 28, 1982 photo in Anaheim, Calif. Youngblood was one of seven elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 1987, file photo, Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) breaks away from Seattle Seahawks' Joe Nash during an NFL preseason football game in Anaheim, Calif. On Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, Dickerson signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the L Rams, reuniting the famous running back with his first NFL football franchise. Dickerson also became a vice president of business development with the Rams, who returned to Los Angeles last year after 21 seasons in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) topples a St. Louts Rams quarterback (16) during a pre-season NFL football game in 1991. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2000, file photo, St. Louis Rams' Devin Bush tackles Seattle Seahawks's Ricky Watters during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half in Seattle, Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. Hasselbeck passed for 303 yards completing 20 in 32 attempts as the Seahawks win 30-10. Behind is Rams' Troyka Jackson and Seahawks' Walter Jones. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Alex Bannister (85) hits St. Louis Rams' DeJaun Groce after Groce caught a punt during the first quarter in Seattle Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Jerry Rice leaps to make a one-handed catch against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on November 14, 2004. The Rams won 23-12. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, right, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu in the third quarter, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 31-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Delon Branch, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher in the forth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)
Cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks lends a leaping hand as teammate Deon Grant #24 intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Travis Taylor #18 of the St. Louis Rams at Quest Field on October 21, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 33-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Members of the Seattle Seahawks line up one yard out of the end zone against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 23-20. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Seattle Seahawks' Julius Jones (22) runs with the ball as St. Louis Rams' David Vobora falls behind in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59) and Seattle Seahawks safety Lawyer Milloy middle, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Brandon Browner breaks up a pass intended for Brandon Lloyd of the St. Louis Rams during an NFL game in Seattle on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. The Seahawks won the game, 30-13. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson runs from St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Seattle Seahawks vs St. Loius Rams; Malcolm Smith
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, right, pushes Los Angeles Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner away as he runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
Tyler Lockett's toe-drag touchdown reception from a Russell Wilson 13-yard looping-over-the-top-pass brought a feeling of poetic ballet to the skill of catching touchdown passes. The Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, 30-29, at CenturyLink Field, October 3, 2019.
