Thursday Night Forecast: Rams, Seahawks, and a Whole Lot of Rain Set for Clash in Seattle
When the 11-3 Los Angeles Rams travel north to face the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, the matchup already has all the makings of a heavyweight showdown. Two division rivals, both sitting atop the NFC West, both with playoff positioning on the line. But there’s one more key player in this game - and it’s not wearing a jersey.
Welcome to December football in Seattle, where the weather doesn’t just show up - it takes over.
Forget the snowstorm the Rams battled in Philadelphia last year. What’s brewing in the Pacific Northwest might not be as picturesque, but it could be even more disruptive.
The forecast calls for a classic Seattle downpour, with steady-to-heavy rain and winds that could gust up to 35 mph by kickoff at Lumen Field. Temperatures are expected to hover around 46 degrees, with a persistent southwest wind blowing at 14 mph.
That’s not just a drizzle. That’s game-altering weather.
Already, the field crew is doing everything they can to keep the surface playable. Tarps are bubbling with collected rainwater, and while the wind hasn’t fully hit field level yet, it’s coming. These are the kind of conditions that don’t just impact a few throws - they can throw entire game plans out the window.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Weather Could Tip the Scales - In the Rams' Favor?
Both teams are built to win, but how they win is very different. Seattle has leaned more heavily on the arm of Sam Darnold this season, and while he’s been effective, gusting winds and a slick football aren’t exactly a quarterback’s best friends.
Precision throws become dice rolls. Deep shots?
Risky. Even short passes can flutter or sail when the gusts pick up.
The Rams, on the other hand, might be better equipped for this kind of slugfest. Their run game - powered by the one-two punch of Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum - has been quietly dominant.
In their first matchup against Seattle, they averaged over 5.0 yards per carry. That’s not just solid - that’s the kind of efficiency that can wear down a defense, especially when footing becomes a factor.
And while LA’s run defense just recently bottled up Lions standout Jahmyr Gibbs, it’s the Rams' own ground game that could be the difference-maker in this one. In bad weather, it’s about who can control the clock, avoid turnovers, and lean on fundamentals. Right now, that might be the Rams.
The big question: Will Sean McVay commit to the run?
Historically, McVay has preferred to keep the ball in the air, even when conditions suggest otherwise. The only time we’ve really seen a full-on ground attack from this offense was when offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur handled play-calling duties. But with the weather dictating terms, this could be the night where the Rams lean into their backfield and let Williams and Corum carry the load.
Health, Momentum, and the Bigger Picture
This game wraps up a whirlwind week for Los Angeles, and with a 10-day mini-bye on deck, there’s a lot riding on how they come out of this one - not just in the standings, but physically. Win or lose, the Rams’ top priority will be making sure they come out of Thursday night healthy and ready for the stretch run.
For fans tuning in, this won’t be a clean, high-flying shootout. It’s shaping up to be a gritty, old-school battle in the rain - the kind of game where field position matters, turnovers loom large, and every yard is earned the hard way.
So grab your rain gear and buckle up. Thursday Night Football in Seattle isn’t just a game - it’s a storm.