Seahawks much healthier than the Rams heading into Week 13

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seahawks might be facing a must-win game in Week 13. And injuries can’t be an excuse for a loss as the Rams are much worse off entering the game. Seattle just needs to have a good game plan entering the game and execute it. Even if they don’t dominate Los Angeles and barely beat a struggling Rams team, a win is a win.

With six games left for Seattle, the Seahawks currently sit at number 8 in the NFC standings. Number 9 is the Falcons at 5-7 so that means with a win on Sunday Seattle will have a two-game lead over Atlanta. Washington is number 7 and is 7-5 but with a tougher schedule ahead of them than Seattle. Seattle has to catch the Commanders or Giants (and they have the tie-break over New York) to make the postseason.

But back to Week 13. This should be a game that the Seahawks win. The Rams are a beaten-up team who seemed to be playing in a fog even before a bunch of their stars got hurt. And a bunch of their stars are out for Week 13.

Final injury reports for Seahawks versus Rams in Week 13

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who is a definite future Hall of Famer and has often been a one-man wrecking crew against Seattle, will miss the first game of his professional career due to an injury. Donald has a high ankle sprain. The Rams are taking it week-by-week with him but as they are 3-8 and have little hope for the playoffs, they might just keep Donald out.

The same can be said of LA quarterback Matthew Stafford. There may be no reason to rush him back this year, especially as he is currently out with a neck injury. Stafford could miss Week 13 and also Week 18 when Seattle and Los Angeles meet again.

Los Angeles also is without receiver Cooper Kupp (likely out for the year with an ankle injury), receiver Lance McCutcheon (shoulder), and linebackers Terrell Lewis (back) and Travin Howard (hip). Their questionable are center Brian Allen (thumb), cornerback Troy Hill (groin), and linebacker Ernest Jones (back). Plus, receiver Allen Robinson (foot) was placed on IR this week and will miss the rest of the season.

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The Seahawks have zero players listed as out or doubtful. Safety Josh Jones (illness), running back Travis Homer (illness/knee) and safety Ryan Neal (elbow/shoulder) are listed as questionable but head coach Pete Carroll said on Friday that Neal will play. Seattle has been dealing with a flu outbreak on the team this week, however, so it will be interesting to see if that has an effect on the stamina of the players.