Stephen Nover's NFL Total of the Week
(NFL) LA Rams vs. Seattle, 12/17/2017 11:05 AM, Score: 42 - 7
Total: 47.00 | 100.00 Under
Result: Win
Seattle's once dominant defense isn't so fierce when five of its top six defenders are likely to be out. The Seahawks definitely won't have their best cornerback, Richard Sherman, nor their best pass rusher, Cliff Avril. Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor also is sidelined. I'd be surprised if Pro Bowl linebackers Bobby Wagner (hamstring) and K.J. Wright (concussion) can play, too, after both were injured last Sunday.

The Seahawks gave up 30 points to Blake Bortles and the Jaguars this past Sunday because of their depleted defense. Now they face the No. 2 scoring offense in the league. The Rams average 30.5 points. Their offense has been very consistent putting up 32 or more points in five of the last seven games.

The Rams have a top-five runner in Todd Gurley and the top kicker in football, Greg Zuerlein. He's made 36 of 38 field goals this season. Given Gurley, decent receivers and much better coaching, Jared Goff has emerged as a solid quarterback in his second season. The Rams get back Robert Woods, who has been their most consistent receiver. Offensive left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who is having another strong season, is on track to play, too, after nursing a knee injury. So the Rams offense should be at full strength.

Russell Wilson makes Seattle's offense dangerous. Wilson has accounted for 32 touchdowns, including running or passing in each of the Seahawks' last 25 offensive touchdowns. He's a strong MVP candidate. The Seahawks are averaging 25.7 points in their last four games. They've scored at least 24 points in each of their past four games, including getting 24 points on the road against Jacksonville, the top defensive team in the NFL.

The Rams defense, like the Seahawks defense, is banged-up. LA's secondary is weakened by cornerback Kayvon Webster being out with a torn Achilles tendon suffered last week. The Rams have other injuries in their defensive backfield and middle linebacker Alec Ogletree is dealing with a hyberextended elbow.

Weather-wise, light rain is expected but temperatures will be in the 50s with little wind.