Halftime Observations: Seahawks Strike First, But Rams Rebound to Take 13-7 Lead

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Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images [/caption]

SEATTLE, Wash. - Despite taking an early seven point lead on a Zach Charbonnet touchdown run, the Seattle Seahawks allowed three unanswered scoring drives by the Los Angeles Rams and went into halftime trailing their rivals 13-7 at Lumen Field.

Here are three quick takeaways from the first two quarters on Thursday Night Football:

1. The screen game - yes, the screen game - ignites a much-needed Seahawks opening drive touchdown.

In four of their past five games, including the first matchup in SoFi Stadium five weeks ago, the Seahawks had failed to score an offensive touchdown in the first two quarters, let alone their first drive of the game. But after the defense stuffed Kyren Williams on a fourth down run, lightning struck in the form of a throwback screen to Walker, who had a caravan of blockers out in front of him. Among them, rookie guard Grey Zabel took multiple defenders out of the play, springing the back for a 46-yard gain down to the Rams five-yard line. Just two plays later, Zabel starred again, driving defensive tackle Kobie Turner into the turf for a pancake as Charbonnet powered his way through traffic for a four-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

Unfortunately, that quick touchdown drive wasn’t a precursor for future success. The next two drives were stymied by self-inflicted mistakes and resulted in three-and-outs, as tight end AJ Barner dropped a short pass from Darnold on the second series and guard Anthony Bradford set the team behind the sticks with a false start on first down on the next series. Those rapid fire possessions coupled with a speedy two-minute drill that concluded with a killer Cooper Kupp fumble to close out the half led to the Seahawks having less than 10 minutes with the football in their hands, contributing to the defense getting worn down before intermission.

2. Los Angeles racked up yards in bunches, and eventually, the dam broke after stiff goal line defense early.

Back in Week 11, the Seahawks held Stafford and the Rams’ aerial attack at bay, holding the star quarterback to just 120 passing yards. Just two minutes into the second quarter, he already has passed that mark backed by a 54-yard completion to Puka Nacua, dicing up a typically stout secondary with receivers running to open space throughout the first half. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum also churned out 86 yards on the ground with 23 carries, leading to four drives with at least eight plays and three of those hitting double digits. But those numbers didn’t matter much in the first quarter and change, as Demarcus Lawrence stuffed Williams on 4th and 1 to thwart the opening drive and on two other possessions, the defense held firm in the shadow of their own goal post for goal line stands, holding Los Angeles to six combined points on three promising possessions.

However, after Seattle’s offense laid another egg with a second consecutive three-and-out followed by a punt, Stafford and the Rams broke through on their fourth possession. Even while having just one third down opportunity to convert, which Williams picked up on a four-yard run, the visitors held the ball for nearly seven minutes, gradually moving the ball downfield with a few chunk plays sprinkled in, including a 19-yard reception by Konata Mumpfield. With the Seahawks on their heels collectively, Stafford hit rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson for a quick touchdown pass with safety Nick Emmanwori in trail, amending for a negated touchdown catch earlier called back for an illegal man downfield to put the Rams in front for the first time. Stafford wrapped up the half with 167 passing yards and Los Angeles averaged six yards per play, far from what the Seahawks wanted to surrender at home.

3. Differing fourth down approaches may be the difference in a tight, low-scoring contest.

Seeming to follow Dan Fouts’ advice from the Waterboy, McVay entered Thursday treating the prime time contest as if it was the last game of the season and certainly wasn’t holding anything back. The Rams went for it on fourth down twice on their opening drive, converting on the first one in Seattle territory before their second gamble didn’t pay dividends on Williams’ failed fourth down rush. They went for it again on the ensuing drive, converting to extend the possession before tacking on a Harrison Mevis field goal, and a fourth fourth down call backfired with Ferguson’s touchdown not counting due to the aforementioned penalty.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks played their cards much more conservatively. On their second drive, they faced 4th and 1 after back-to-back incompletions by Darnold near midfield, but Mike Macdonald opted to punt. The Rams quickly made that decision based on field position a moot point with Stafford’s long completion to Nacua leading to another field goal. It will be interesting to see if both coaches stick with their guns regarding fourth down play calling in the second half or if Macdonald decides to be a bit more ambitious, particularly with his team currently trailing on the scoreboard.