St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks: Full Seattle Game Preview

The Seattle Seahawks are currently a much better team than they were in a Week 1 overtime loss to the St. Louis Rams. 

Expect Seattle to make that point loud and clear on the field Sunday.

The Rams have given the Seahawks trouble in recent years—St. Louis beat Seattle 28-26 last October using some special teams trickery. Still, the Seahawks lead the all-time series between the two teams 21 games to 14.

Seattle has already earned a playoff berth, thanks to a late-season resurgence that has become typical of the Seahawks.

But just because Seattle has punched its ticket to the postseason tournament doesn't mean the team won't take this weekend seriously. The Seahawks will look to exact vengeance on a division rival in front of the 12th Man in the team's final home game of the regular season. 

The Rams enter the game coming off of a nice home win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15, led by the charging effort of rookie running back Todd Gurley. St. Louis believes it can win this game, and it can—the Rams run the ball well and play stout defense.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, meanwhile, will look to continue his incredible passing streak. Over the last five games, Wilson has thrown 19 touchdowns to zero interceptions. During that span, he has not had a quarterback rating of less than 128.3.

A raucous crowd will be behind the Seahawks, which should make for an electric atmosphere for the game despite it lacking any real playoff implications. Continue reading to find out what to watch for on Sunday.

Location: CenturyLink Field; Seattle, Washington

Time: 1:25 p.m. local (4:25 p.m. ET)

TV: Fox 13

Week 15 Recap

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press/Associated Press

Doug Baldwin

In Week 15, the Seahawks earned a controlling 30-13 victory against the visiting Cleveland Browns. 

And they did it with a backfield missing its two best running backs in Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls.

In their places, veteran Christine Michael and Bryce Brown combined for 127 rushing yards, helping pave the way for Seattle's explosive passing attack to take flight. 

Wide receiver Doug Baldwin tied a franchise record for touchdown receptions in a single season with 13, as he hauled in two against Cleveland. Wideout Daryl Turner set the record in 1985.

Seattle's secondary struggled early in the game without safety Kam Chancellor, who was nursing a pelvis injury. The Seahawks surrendered an 80-yard touchdown drive to the Browns on Cleveland's first possession. 

But it wouldn't matter—Cleveland couldn't stop Wilson and Co. from moving the ball at will, as Seattle went on to outscore the Browns 30-6 for the rest of the game. 

The dominant win improved the Seahawks to 9-5 overall and helped the team clinch its fourth straight playoff berth. 

The Seahawks are currently in second place in the NFC West.

Seahawks News and Notes

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Michael Bennett

Seattle sends seven to 2016 Pro Bowl

The Seahawks have seven players slated to start in the Pro Bowl on Jan. 31 in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to the team's official website. Five of them are on defense. Take a look at the list below to see if your favorite Seahawks player was voted to the Pro Bowl:

• Michael Bennett, DE
• Bobby Wagner, LB
• Richard Sherman, CB
• Earl Thomas, FS
• Kam Chancellor, SS
• Russell Wilson, QB
• Tyler Lockett, (will play as a return specialist)

Just about all of these choices are obvious, and obviously deserved. But Lockett's nomination stands out the most among all of them.

It's a huge honor to be named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, even if the game's voting process is essentially a popularity contest. Lockett, though, truly deserves his nomination. 

Lockett has arguably been the league's best rookie wide receiver, based on effectiveness. Let's compare his stats to that of the Oakland Raiders' Amari Cooper. 

While Cooper outpaces Lockett in yards per reception (15.3 to 12.9) and total receiving yards (1,040 to 595), both players have six touchdown catches. And Lockett has caught a significantly higher percentage of passes thrown his way—he has 46 catches on 58 targets, compared to Cooper's 68 receptions on 122 targets.

Lockett also has avoided silly drops this season, unlike Cooper.

But Lockett's presence on special teams is why the rookie wide receiver is playing in the Pro Bowl, and it's that ability that makes him a special player in this league. 

He has scored on a punt return and a kickoff in 2015, but it's the yardage Lockett accounts for that stands out—the rookie Pro Bowler has 1,574 all-purpose yards on the season, which is fourth in the NFL. 

He has the ability to make an impact at any time in two of football's three phases. Lockett will be a weapon in the NFL for many years, and he is deserving of his Pro Bowl nod.

Also worth noting: Defensive end Cliff Avril, Baldwin, Lynch, kicker Steven Hauschka and left tackle Russell Okung all have been nominated as Pro Bowl alternates.

Head coach Pete Carroll: 'We're going to try to win games'

The Seahawks will proceed with the season at full speed ahead despite locking up a playoff spot.

"I really don't believe that you should ask players to take a break," Coach Carroll said, per the team's website. "If we decide not to play guys for a different reason, that could happen. That’s not going to be because we’re going to take a step off of the gas pedal right now."

You've got to love that attitude if you're a Seahawks fan. 

This team has been red-hot for five straight games, and the only way to keep that streak alive is to play guys at full speed. 

Another good reason for Seattle to keep pushing into the playoffs is to continue fine-tuning its running game. Michael and Brown proved to be effective against Cleveland, but the Browns own one of the league's worst rush defenses.

Despite Wilson's recent and historic passing streak, this is a run-first football team. This week's game against the Rams will be an excellent litmus test for the Seahawks' injury-depleted backfield.   

Latest Injury News

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press/Associated Press

Marshawn Lynch

The Seahawks have suffered a few notable injuries to key players in recent weeks. Let's check in on those players' statuses.

Marshawn Lynch (abdominal injury)

Adam Lewis of Seattlepi.com tweeted that Coach Carroll isn't sure if Beast Mode will be healthy enough to play in Seattle's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, Gregg Bell of the News Tribune reported Carroll said Lynch is "really doing well" in his Bay Area rehabilitation and that there's a possibility No. 24 could return for the playoffs.

At this point, it's unknown just how badly the Seahawks will need Beast Mode back in the lineup. Seattle's offensive line is playing at a high level, and if that continues, the combination of Michael and Brown at running back may suffice going forward.  

This isn't to say Lynch isn't an upgrade over those two. In theory, Lynch's return could get the Seahawks back to their notorious championship form. 

But if Lynch isn't 100 percent, there's no guaranteeing he will be more effective than what the Seahawks already have at running back. It will be interesting to watch this story develop as the postseason draws nearer.

Russell Okung (calf injury)

Okung will most likely be a game-time decision this week after suffering a calf injury in last week's win, according to a tweet from Bell. 

Missing Okung is significant for Seattle's offensive line, especially against a defensive front seven like St. Louis'. But, even if Carroll and the Seahawks aren't letting off the gas this week, it would be wise for the team to rest Okung in preparation for the playoffs. 

There is a difference between resting and resting due to injury. The Seahawks will make the right call come Sunday.

Kam Chancellor (tailbone injury)

Chancellor also could be a game-time decision, according to that same tweet from Bell. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times added that Carroll said Chancellor's condition is improving, but it's still unknown if he'll make it back for the Rams game.

Seattle's defense struggled early against the Browns without Chancellor in the lineup, but the team's coaching staff shored up the secondary rather quickly. 

If Chancellor can't go this week, it will give his replacement valuable experience headed into the postseason.

As with Okung, Seattle must not rush Chancellor's return to action.

Key Matchups

Billy Hurst/Associated Press/Associated Press

Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley vs. Seahawks front seven

Stopping Gurley needs to be a top priority for the Seahawks defense on Sunday. 

If the unit fails to slow down Gurley, this game becomes a toss-up; if the unit succeeds, the Seahawks should convincingly win the football game.

It will be easier said than done.

Gurley enters the game with more than 1,000 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Those stats have been accumulated since Week 3, when Gurley made his NFL debut. 

The man is a force to be reckoned with. 

Seattle will do its best to stuff him, and the team's third-ranked rush defense should do just that. 

Gurley has only rushed for 100 or more yards once in his last seven games—expect Seattle to make it once in his last eight.

Seattle running backs vs. Rams defensive front

St. Louis has a talented defensive line, but the team isn't great at stopping the run. 

In fact, the Rams allow 118 yards per game on the ground and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average in 2015. 

The Seahawks backfield needs to capitalize on those numbers. It's all about fine-tuning the running game from here on out for Seattle until the playoffs begin, and it would be encouraging to see a second straight week of effectiveness from the Michael-Brown combo; this time, against a divisional opponent.

Matchup X-Factor: Tyler Lockett

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

It's time for Lockett to once again make a splash in Seattle's return game. After all, he did have a 57-yard punt-return touchdown in that Week 1 road loss to St. Louis. 

This time, though, he has a team playing playoff-caliber football behind him to help seal a potential win.

Lockett's receiving ability makes him dangerous—his impact on special teams makes him an X-factor. 

And, in a game between rivals that could certainly be close, that special teams impact will help propel the Seahawks to victory, whether by way of touchdown or simply helping to win the battle for field position. 

Look for Lockett to leave a significant footprint on this game's outcome. 

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 35, St. Louis Rams 14

Scott Eklund/Associated Press/Associated Press

Russell Wilson

The Seahawks will not lie down at home to the Rams, leaving CenturyLink Field with their sixth consecutive win.

Seattle will exact revenge for a Week 1 loss in dominating fashion.

The Rams are arguably better than Seattle's last two opponents, but they still won't be able to hang with the Seahawks. In front of the 12th Man, the Seahawks will look to make a resounding statement that they are for real.

Wilson shreds a Rams defense that gives up nearly 250 passing yards per game for two touchdowns and one interception—Wilson has been on fire recently, but he's due to throw a pick. 

The turnover won't make much of a difference, though, as Seattle is able to control the game's tempo with its running game. Former Seahawk Christine Michael will find the end zone on the ground in this one.

Seattle's defense continues stifling opposing running backs, as Gurley rushes for less than 75 yards but scores one touchdown. Wideout Tavon Austin will score the Rams' other touchdown.

Lockett will put a cherry on top of the win with a special teams score, and the 12th Man gets a 21-point win in the regular season's last game at CenturyLink Field.

Ethan is a Seattle Seahawks game-day correspondent for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ebai_today for Seahawks coverage and musings about the NFL.