Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL Expert Picks Against the Spread

Another split on our Thursday night picks last week as we took Philadelphia with an alternate spread of +6 in Green Bay and "under" the total of 45.5. The Eagles pulled the upset 34-27. We have split on every Thursday game so far this season.

This week, it's the Los Angeles Rams visiting the NFC West rival Seahawks, one of two Week 5 games featuring 2018 playoff teams - the other is Colts at Chiefs on Sunday night. Good chance both the Rams and Seahawks make it this year too, although obviously only one can win the NFC West so that leaves a wild-card route for the other. The Rams are -140 favorites at Bovada to win the West a third straight year, while the Seahawks are +350. Unbeaten San Francisco leads the division by a half-game and is +250. Not sold on the Niners yet.

Not many players like playing these Thursday quick turnaround games, and Todd Gurley is definitely one of those against them. "You know how I feel about Thursday night games," Gurley said after Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers. "I feel like they are the dumbest thing ever." Sorry, Todd, but these games aren't going anywhere. Too highly-rated.

Rams at Seahawks Betting Story Lines

Many people think the Rams would have won the Super Bowl in February had Gurley been fully healthy, but his knee clearly wasn't and he was barely a factor against the Patriots. Well, I'm not sure that Gurley is still healthy. He got a career-low five carries for just 16 yards in Sunday's 55-40 home upset loss to Tampa Bay.

Coach Sean McVay, supposed genius, completely abandoned the ground game as Jared Goff put it up a whopping 68 times. "That's never an ideal approach," McVay said. Goff threw for a career-best 517 yards (23rd QB in league history with a 500-yard game) and had two TDs but also three picks and a lost fumble that was returned for the clinching touchdown with just over a minute left. The Rams also had 13 penalties.

L.A. saw three defensive players get hurt on Sunday in cornerback Marcus Peters, inside linebacker Bryce Hager and rookie safety Taylor Rapp. Peters is the most important of that trio and is looking like he'll be good to go Thursday. L.A.'s 55 points allowed were the most ever in a Rams home game.

More: Tony Gives the ATS Winner for Rams vs. Seahawks on Thursday

Seattle had little trouble in a 27-10 win at winless Arizona. Russell Wilson threw for 240 yards and a score, and Chris Carson had 104 yards on the ground. Perhaps more important, he didn't lose a fumble for the first time this year. Young tight end Will Dissly has turned into a touchdown machine and had another one. He has six in his first eight career games, tied for the most by a tight end in his first eight games since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

Wilson's 72.9% completion rate, 118.7 passer rating and 8.58 yards per attempt are his best through four games. Tailback Rashaad Penny has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury but is expected to play here. He'll siphon a few touches from Carson. The Rams have been decent against the run, allowing 91.8 yards per game.

The Seahawks franchise will induct late owner Paul Allen into the team's Ring of Honor before Thursday's game. He'll be the 12th member.

Rams at Seahawks Betting Odds and Trends

At 5Dimes, Seattle is a 1-point favorite (-123) with a total of 49. On the moneyline , the Seahawks are -130 and Rams +110. On some alternate lines, the Seahawks are -3.5 (+145) and -7.5 (+235). The Rams are -3.5 (+188). L.A. is 2-0 against the spread on the road and 1-1 "over/under." Seattle is 0-2 ATS at home and 1-1 O/U.

The Rams are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 vs. the NFC West. They are 1-5 ATS in their past six on Thursday. The Seahawks are 7-0-2 ATS in their past nine on Thursday but 1-5 ATS in their previous six after allowing less than 15 points in the last game. The under is 4-1 in L.A.'s past five vs. teams with a winning record. It's 4-1 in Seattle's previous five on Thursday. The Rams are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 5-2 in the previous seven in Seattle.

Rams at Seahawks Betting Prediction

Last year, L.A. swept Seattle but only by a combined seven points as both went down to the wire. May want to consider betting a prop on Rams defensive tackle and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald having a big night. In his past three games against Seattle, Rams defensive tackle Donald has 6.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

We'll take Seattle -1. The Hawks have been amazing since Pete Carroll arrived in prime-time games, especially at home. Go under the total.

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