St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Seattle Seahawks (9-5) will try to avenge a loss to the St. Louis Rams (6-8) in the season opener when they host them in an NFC West rematch Sunday. Seattle lost 34-31 at St. Louis in overtime as a 3.5-point road favorite in Week 1 as part of a disappointing 2-4 start. But the two-time defending NFC champion Seahawks have won seven of eight straight up since then and covered the spread in six of those games.

Point spread: The Seahawks opened as 14-point favorites; the total was 40 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 38.0-9.0 Seahawks

Why the Rams can cover the spread

The Rams are 3-1 against divisional opponents this season and have gone 5-2 against the spread in the past seven meetings with Seattle. They also did not have rookie running back Todd Gurley available in the first meeting, and he should help them move the chains and take time off the clock, especially with new offensive coordinator Rob Boras calling the plays. They are 2-0 and averaging 26 points since Boras took over.

That is obviously a very small sample size, but Boras has done a great job so far of getting St. Louis to focus more on the running game while taking pressure off quarterback Case Keenum. The Rams have attempted 39 passes in the last two games combined, and Gurley has 37 carries during that stretch for 188 yards with three touchdowns. A balanced offensive approach has helped them stay competitive.

Why the Seahawks can cover the spread

The Seahawks are one of the scariest teams in the NFL right now behind Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson, who already has posted career-high totals for passing yards and touchdowns. Wilson remains one of the most dangerous players in the league and is the reason they are riding a five-game winning streak both SU and ATS.

Seattle’s offense has scored 29 points or more in each of the last five games with Wilson throwing 19 touchdown passes and no interceptions. The team has gotten off to fast starts and buried opponents early, letting the defense do the rest. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers have scored more than 13 points against the Seahawks since they suffered their last loss to the Arizona Cardinals back in Week 10.

Smart pick

The road team has failed to cover the spread in the past five meetings, and Seattle has just been too good offensively to consider backing St. Louis in this spot. The Rams will not be able to keep up with the Seahawks in a shootout like they did in Week 1, so take the home team to win this one by more than a couple touchdowns in a rout.

Betting trends

The Rams are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the Seahawks.

The Rams are 3-1 ATS in their last four games against their division.

The Seahawks are 25-5 SU in their last 30 games at home.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.