Seahawks vs Rams

Lore & Background

Despite a 5–2 start, key injuries to Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker III, DK Metcalf, and Devon Witherspoon, and poor defensive play led to the Seahawks losing five of their next six. While the Seahawks would win two games in a row, a loss to the Steelers cost them control of their own destiny. In total, Seattle played 11 games and went 3–8 against teams that finished with a winning record (Cincinnati being the only one that missed the postseason), culminating in a collapse that cost them an appearance in the postseason.

This was the second time in three seasons that Seattle missed the playoffs, and was the first season since 2009 that Dave Canales was not on the team's payroll, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired him to be their offensive coordinator for one year. Canales would go on to be hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers the following year. On March 26, 2023, the Seahawks resigned longtime linebacker Bobby Wagner, who played for the Los Angeles Rams during the previous season, for a second stint with the team.

On January 10, 2024, three days following the season's conclusion, head coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks mutually agreed to part ways, having served since 2010. Carroll would transition to an unspecified advisory role within the Seahawks organization before subsequently being hired as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders the following year.

Reader's Guide

The Seattle Seahawks drew an average home attendance of 68,735 in eight home games in the 2023 NFL season, the 18th highest in the league. The Seahawks were favored to win the matchup against the division rival Los Angeles Rams, as they were looking to return to competition following an injury-plagued season the year prior. Seattle had managed an improbable season in 2022 as quarterback Geno Smith managed to play a major factor in the team returning to the postseason, winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year in the process, in addition to sweeping the Rams.

The Rams' roster had also shown notable signs of decline with such offseason departures of players including Jalen Ramsey and Taylor Rapp. Seattle started the first half strong as the Rams' offense found minor difficulties in converting on first downs despite managing a touchdown from rookie running back Kyren Williams to finish the first quarter leading at 7–3. Seattle quickly responded with a touchdown catch from DK Metcalf, and a field goal to lead the game 13–7 by the half.

During the first quarter, Metcalf began trading insults with the Rams' sidelines, leading him to land an illegal hit on Los Angeles' cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon after the play, infuriating Sean McVay after no flag was thrown. The Rams' secondary responded strongly in the second half, shutting out the Seahawks for the remainder of the game. Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua managed an impressive performance for his rookie debut, making 10 catches for 119 yards.

The Rams' running backs had also managed an impressive showing as Kyren Williams and Cam Akers combined for 81 yards and three touchdowns. The Rams' defense managed to lock Seattle's passing game as they failed to convert a first down within Rams territory for the remainder of the game. Two fourth-quarter field goals from Rams kicker Brett Maher would secure the victory 30–13 for the Rams, and the Seahawks fell to 0–1 on the season.