As the Los Angeles Rams gear up for a pivotal Week 16 clash with the Seattle Seahawks, there’s no mistaking the tone coming out of the Rams' camp: this one’s going to be a grind. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur isn’t sugarcoating it - he knows the Seahawks are coming in with adjustments, and he’s expecting a few curveballs from a defense that’s already proven it can counter what the Rams do best.
Back in Week 11, the Rams edged out a tight 21-19 win over Seattle. But even in victory, there were warning signs.
The Seahawks didn’t just hang around - they made life difficult, especially when the Rams leaned into their 13 personnel package (that’s one running back, three tight ends, and a heavy dose of physicality). LaFleur acknowledged as much, praising Seattle’s coaching duo of head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde for their ability to scheme on the fly.
“You go against a guy like Mike and AD over in Seattle, they’re going to have stuff for it,” LaFleur said this week. “They’re going to have stuff you’re not prepared for. That’s what good coaches do.”
And he’s not wrong. The tape from that Week 11 meeting tells the story - and it’s one the Rams can’t afford to ignore.
Seattle’s Defensive Blueprint in Week 11
When the Rams trotted out their 13 personnel - a formation designed to create mismatches in the run game and force defenses into heavier looks - Seattle didn’t just hold their own. They dictated terms.
Across 18 plays in that grouping, the Rams managed just 49 total yards. That’s a meager 2.72 yards per snap.
Even more telling? The Seahawks generated a negative expected points added (-0.590) from those plays.
That’s not just good defense - that’s defense that actively takes points off the board.
Seattle didn’t stick to one look either. They rotated personnel groupings to match the Rams’ physical style:
- 4-2-5 alignment: Used on 12 of those 18 plays, this nickel-heavy look held the Rams to just 4.0 yards per play - respectable considering the extra tight ends on the field.
- 5-2-4 front: When the Rams tried to power the ball on early downs, Seattle stacked the line with five defensive linemen and two linebackers. The result?
Zero yards on two attempts.
- 6-2-3 goal-line package: In short-yardage situations, Seattle went big - and it worked. The Rams averaged just 0.33 yards per play when facing this beefed-up front.
But it wasn’t just about bodies in the box. Seattle’s coverage schemes were just as sharp.
They mixed in aggressive Cover 0 man-to-man looks to challenge the Rams’ receivers off the line, then shifted into Cover 3 zone to keep everything in front and force short throws. That kind of versatility - both in personnel and coverage - is what makes Seattle such a tough out.
The Rams’ Offensive Counterpunch
So where does that leave the Rams heading into Round 2?
LaFleur knows the Seahawks won’t just roll out the same game plan. If anything, they’ll have even more wrinkles ready. But he’s confident in his group’s ability to adapt, especially with a roster that’s shown maturity and poise in tight spots.
“Whatever they throw at us, we’ll be ready,” LaFleur said. “We got smart guys that don’t blink.”
That adaptability will be tested. The Rams will need to stay ahead of Seattle’s adjustments, particularly when it comes to disguising their intentions out of heavy sets. Expect more motion, more pre-snap shifts, and perhaps a few tempo changes to keep the Seahawks from getting comfortable.
Execution will be everything. If the Rams can stay efficient on early downs and avoid getting bogged down in predictable run-heavy sequences, they’ll give themselves a shot to control the tempo. But if Seattle’s defensive front once again wins at the line of scrimmage, it could be a long afternoon for LA.
A Chess Match in the Making
This Week 16 rematch has all the makings of a strategic showdown. Both coaching staffs have shown they can scheme with the best of them, and both teams understand what’s at stake as the playoff race tightens.
For the Rams, it’s about proving that their offensive identity - built around physicality and versatility - can still thrive against a defense that’s already seen it and found ways to slow it down. For the Seahawks, it’s a chance to flip the script and steal one on the road by leaning into the same defensive creativity that nearly got them the win last time.
One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just another late-season divisional game. It’s a battle of adjustments, execution, and resilience. And the team that adapts faster will likely walk away with a win that could shape the postseason picture.