The defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks hit the road for their season opener Sunday in St. Louis against the Rams. This is a game that might show if the Rams are finally ready to take the next step as far as being playoff contenders by beating the lead dog in the NFC West several years running.
Seahawks vs. Rams 2015 picks, predictions: Seattle favored in NFC West battle
The Seahawks are the popular pick on the road in Week 1, but it’s not a consensus among the experts.
The Seahawks are 4-point favorites in most top betting lines, because they have a winner in quarterback Russell Wilson, a force in Marshawn Lynch at running back, a new weapon at tight end in Jimmy Graham and of course, their calling card, a defense led by Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom.
But the Rams are tough at home and have a defense that can keep the game close if Nick Foles and the St. Louis offense struggle, which seems likely. The Rams go with Foles at quarterback against a Seahawks secondary known for making life miserable on opposing QBs, if the pass rush doesn’t get to them first.
The Rams will try to get the ball to receivers Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick, with the running game hampered because rookie Todd Gurley isn’t ready to return from injury. The Seahawks, though, will be without one of the core members of their defense, as safety Kam Chancellor has decided to continue his holdout into the regular season.
Among the experts, the Seahawks are the pick, but it’s not unanimous. At CBS Sports, two of their eight panelists are picking the home team to upset the defending NFC champs, while ESPN is behind Seattle, 8-5.
Meanwhie, here at SB Nation, our team is of one mind in thinking that the Seahawks will start the season 1-0.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark Computer | |
| SEA @ STL | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA |
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