How tight is the NFC West race?
The Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are tied for the division lead with 4-4 records, while the Los Angeles Rams are a half-game back at 3-4.
That will make for an intriguing matchup Sunday in Seattle, when the Rams visit Lumen Field.
The Rams were just 1-4 going into their bye week before winning two games in five days, beating Las Vegas 20-15 on Oct. 20 and Minnesota 30-20 last Thursday, both at home.
“I believe in this group,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “I believe in the coaches. I believe in the players. I saw resolve. I didn’t see a flinch. And we still have a long way to go. We’ve won two games in five days, but it is just two games. We’ve done a good job of getting ourselves back to where we wanted to be.”
The return of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua from lengthy injury absences helped L.A.’s offense get untracked against the Vikings.
“They brought a lot of energy to our team, and a ton of confidence,” said Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 279 yards and four TDs against Minnesota after having just three scoring strikes in the previous six games combined. “It’s not only just the offense. I know the defense feels it too when those guys are out there making plays.”
However, Nacua reportedly suffered a knee injury during Thursday’s practice. McVay confirmed the injury Friday, saying Nacua had no structural damage to his knee but would be listed as questionable.
The Seahawks have been headed in the opposite direction, losing four of five games since a 3-0 start. That includes a 31-10 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills last Sunday.
“We got outplayed and we got outcoached, and we’ve got to go make it right,” Seahawks first-year coach Mike Macdonald said.
The Seahawks had their chances in the first half, but one drive stalled on second-and-goal from the Buffalo 3-yard line when center Connor Williams’ snap sailed over quarterback Geno Smith’s head. Another ended when Williams stepped on Smith’s foot on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1, causing the QB to fall backward.
“When you talk about all the things that we want to do, well, I don’t think we did any of those (last Sunday),” Smith said. “So we’ve got to look at ourselves, look in the mirror, and take it from there.”
Linebacker Ernest Jones IV, making his debut for the Seahawks after being acquired from Tennessee, made 15 tackles. Jones played the previous three seasons with the Rams before being dealt to the Titans less than two weeks before the season opener after failing to come to terms on a contract extension.
“I know who he is as a player,” Stafford said. “Physically, really talented. Mentally and emotionally, really gifted. Loved being a teammate with him. Have a ton of respect for who he is as a person and as a player. I don’t think there’s any disadvantage or advantage. I just know it’s a challenge going against him.”
However, Jones is listed as questionable after sitting out practice Friday with a stiff neck that Macdonald termed a “day-by-day” issue.
The Seahawks will be without wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) for the second straight game, though Macdonald appeared cautiously optimistic about the MCL injury.
“He just needs more time,” Macdonald said. “It’s nothing he could have done differently, we just need more time for him, so that’s what’s best for him and the team.”
Fellow wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (knee) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (foot) missed practice time this week, but neither had an injury designation on Friday’s report.
Nose tackle Neville Gallimore (shoulder) was the only Rams player to miss an entire practice in preparation for the game against Seattle.
