Both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks defied their respective preseason expectations in 2022. The Seahawks turned out to be playoff contenders despite the loss of their former franchise quarterback, whereas the Rams were ravaged by injuries and had one of the worst Super Bowl hangovers in history. Will these two team’s fortunes immediately change both ways during Sunday’s season opener in the Emerald City?

Nitrobetting is ready to equip its bettors with the latest news, NFL odds, and special features for the entire duration of the 2023 NFL season. This time, let’s take a closer look at the upcoming NFL Week 1 showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.

Rams vs. Seahawks Game Information

Drew was unlocked.

Next up: #LARvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/bRamqxBr72

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 30, 2023

• When: Sunday, September 10, 2023, 4:25 PM ET
• Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
• TV: FOX
• Radio: KSPN 710 AM (Rams) // KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM (Seahawks)
• Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
• NFL Odds: Rams (+4.5) // Seahawks (-4.5)

READ MORE: Jaguars vs. Colts 2023 NFL Week 1 Odds, Preview & Pick

Why Bet on the Los Angeles Rams?

With quarterback Matthew Stafford hurt and missing time for the majority of the 2022 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams had one of the biggest post-Super Bowl meltdowns in memory, as they finished 5-12 and missed the playoffs entirely after having just been at the top of the football world. Entering the 2023 campaign, things don’t look as auspicious for Sean McVay and Co. as they try to build another title contender with the limited resources at their disposal.

Stafford should be ready to start in Week 1 to get the offense back on track, but his supporting cast isn’t very encouraging. The Rams lost wideout Allen Robinson, who proved to be a bust of a pickup last season, and former Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp is coming off a serious knee injury yet again to make their passing game even more questionable. Not to mention that there’s no backfield depth outside of Cam Akers, who only got things going late last season when LA’s campaign was already virtually cooked.

Being strapped by the salary cap after going all in during their title run in 2021 is coming back to haunt the Rams even more, namely on the defensive side. Gone are big names such as Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner, and Leonard Floyd, and the team had no leverage in filling up these holes on D during free agency. All things considered, the Rams could still have a bounce-back campaign, but it all hinges on the once-terrific pairing of Stafford and Kupp playing the entire season and lighting up opposing defenses like they were known for in the years prior.

Why Bet on the Seattle Seahawks?

Most NFL fans and pundits left the Seattle Seahawks for dead during the 2022 offseason considering that Russell Wilson was shipped to Denver and was left with journeyman QB Geno Smith at the helm of the offense. Against all expectations, though, the Seahawks finished with a 9-8 record that was good enough for them to secure a playoff spot.

Smith turned out to be more than a viable replacement for Wilson under center, as the 32-year-old veteran threw for over 4,200 yards and 30 passing TDs to just 11 interceptions en route to winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. Head coach Pete Carroll should be given tons of credit for sustaining a competent team even with the departure of their top player, and Seattle has more young weapons up its sleeve in receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, as well as the backfield duo of Kenneth Walker III and UCLA rookie Zach Charbonnet.

Although the Seahawks’ defense is still far from its former Legion of Boom peak, it warmly welcomes back nine-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner after his brief stint in LA. Wagner joins a solid Seattle defensive unit that has a stud pairing at cornerback in Tariq Woolen and incoming rookie Devon Witherspoon. The Seahawks appear equipped for another strong playoff run, but one major slip-up from Smith on offense could very well derail their chances of having another relatively terrific campaign.

Rams vs. Seahawks Betting Trends

• The Rams are currently on a seven-game road losing streak (1-5-1 ATS).
• The Rams are 6-4 in their last 10 meetings against Seattle (7-3 ATS).
• The totals went under in seven of Los Angeles’ last nine games on the road.
• The Seahawks went 5-4 at home last season (SU/ATS).
• The Seahawks are 4-2 in their last six regular-season outings against their division rivals (2-4 ATS).
• The totals wet under in each of Seattle’s last four regular-season contests.

Rams vs. Seahawks Expert Betting Predictions

Even though the Rams and Seahawks have often been evenly matched in their divisional clashes of late, the advantage certainly goes to the latter entering their Week 1 bout. Seattle should be able to overpower a lackluster Los Angeles defense to win by two scoring possessions or more, while LA still figures out how to operate in optimal form with just the tandem of Stafford and Kupp as the focal point of the offense.

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