It has been an interesting week for the Los Angeles Rams, who are headed to Seattle to face the Seahawks and 12th Man on Thursday Night Football. It wasn’t long after the Rams’ embarrassing loss to the Falcons in Week 14 that Jeff Fisher’s contract was terminated and special teams coordinator John Fassel was named interim head coach.
Rams vs. Seahawks live stream: How to watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ online
John Fassel’s first game as the Rams’ interim head coach will be on a really big stage.
Fassel’s debut will can be seen on NBC and NFL Network, with a live stream available on Twitter and at NBC Sports.
Fisher’s firing comes just weeks after both parties announced the head coach’s two-year contract extension. In addition to a different coach, the Rams’ offense is in the hands of rookie Jared Goff. The overall No. 1 draft pick in 2016 sat on the bench for most of the season behind Case Keenum, and has struggled to jump in at the end of the year. He threw two interceptions last week against the Falcons — although only one was really his fault -- but has very few offensive weapons around him.
Running back Todd Gurley voiced his displeasure in the effort from his teammates following last week’s loss. He claimed they looked like a “middle school offense” and like they were “just going through the motions.” The team certainly has playmakers on that side of the ball, but despite a lineup that include Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt and Brian Quick, they haven’t been able to deliver.
At the top of the Rams’ (unrealistic) wishlist for coaches is reportedly the man they face on Thursday Night Football — Pete Carroll. The Seattle Seahawks head coach was asked earlier in the week if he’d rule out any chance he’d want to coach the Rams, to which he succinctly replied, “Yes.” Carroll is just focused on winning Thursday’s game, having lost to the Rams back in September.
The Seahawks could clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win this week, but are coming off a performance so bad against the Packers, FOX actually switched to the Tampa Bay-Saints game. Quarterback Russell Wilson just couldn’t pull it together, throwing five interceptions in the snow at Lambeau and only one touchdown.
Seattle’s defense just wasn’t the same without Earl Thomas — who is out the rest of the season — and let Green Bay come away with a 38-10 win last week. The Legion of Boom still has plenty of skilled cornerbacks who have shown how they like to handle rookie quarterbacks, having blasted Carson Wentz earlier in the season.
Playing back at home this week will prove paramount in the Seahawks shifting the momentum back in their favor. The team is 2-4-1 on the road, including a Week 2 loss at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, which ended in a terrible, no touchdown 9-3 score.
Throughout the years of 7-9 records for the Rams, they often found refuge in wins over Seattle. This NFC West division rivalry keeps things interesting and of the Rams can pull off the upset, it could keep the Seahawks from a first-round bye in the postseason.
How to watch
Time: 8:25 p.m. ET
Place: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
TV: NBC, NFL Network
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Heather Cox
Online: Twitter, NBC Sports Live
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