The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks will do battle on Thursday night to kick off Week 16 of the 2025 NFL campaign in a matchup that will be among the most important of this week's slate of games.
That's because the winner of the contest will not only sit in first place in the NFC West entering Week 17, but in the No. 1 seed in the conference, also.
The Rams enter this game sitting in both spots and will continue to do so with a win, but they would also lock up the head-to-head tie-breaker by beating Seattle.
A Seahawks victory would see them unseat the Rams for both top spots going into next week while also erasing the head-to-head tie-breaker.
When it comes to injuries for both teams, the Seahawks will be without one of their starting tackles, Charles Cross, while the Rams are likely to be without wide receiver Davante Adams, who is listed as doubtful.
Now, a look at the picks and predictions made by NFL experts for this NFC West showdown between Seattle and Los Angeles.
Seahawks vs. Rams picks, predictions
Vinnie Iyer, AllSportsPeople: Rams 27, Seahawks 23
Iyer: "The Rams are finishing at will in the red zone with their running game, receiving and tight ends. The Seahawks have been struggling to find the end zone, settling for a lot of Jason Myers scoring. Those points can make the difference in the game, with Sam Darnold making more mistakes at home than Matthew Stafford on the road.
Bill Bender, AllSportsPeople: Rams 23, Seahawks 20
Bender: "The Rams are averaging 30 points per game and have scored 40-plus points each of the last two weeks but might be without Davante Adams (hamstring) on a short week. This game could determine home-field advantage in the NFC. Seattle had four turnovers in the first meeting – a 21-19 loss. The Rams have won the last two meetings at Seattle.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Seahawks 29, Rams 24
Prisco: "This game will go a long way in deciding the NFC West. The Rams beat the Seahawks earlier this year, but Seattle turned it over four times in that game. They won't do that here. The Rams defense has been leaky lately, which is a concern. Sam Darnold struggled last week, and has struggled the last two times out against the Rams, but I think he plays better here. Seattle is the pick."
- Matt Bowen: Seahawks
- Mike Clay: Rams
- Jeremy Fowler: Seahawks
- Dan Graziano: Seahawks
- Pamela Maldonado: Rams
- Eric Moody: Rams
- Jason Reid: Rams
- Lindsey Thiry: Rams
- Seth Wickersham: Rams
- Clare Brennan: Rams
- Mitch Goldich: Seahawks
- Gilberto Manzano: Rams
- Conor Orr: Rams
- John Pluym: Rams
- Matt Verderame: Rams
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