The Week 5 Thursday Night Football battle between the Rams and the Seahawks has significant NFC West implications and storylines, making it a rare TNF matchup that's interesting to more than just bettors and fans of those teams.
Los Angeles enters the contest on the heels of its first loss of the year. The Rams fell 37-20 to the Cardinals, but enter this game at 3-1 and 2-2 against the spread. Their best win thus far came against the Buccaneers in Week 3, when they thoroughly outplayed Tampa Bay in a 34-24 victory.
Conversely, the Seahawks have had a much different start to the season. Seattle enters the season with both a 2-2 win-loss record and a 2-2 record ATS, but it rebounded from two consecutive losses to beat the 49ers as road underdogs in Week 4.
Here's everything you need to know to watch Thursday Night Football.
Rams vs. Seahawks Kickoff Time
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 7
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
These two teams will be no strangers to "primetime" by the end of the season, with both scheduled for at least three more night slots throughout the rest of the schedule. Despite this, Thursday will be the first primetime game for each team thus far.
Seattle has two Sunday Night Football and two Monday Night Football games on the calendar, while the Rams have two MNF games and a lone SNF game scheduled. This actually begins a run of three consecutive primetime games for Seattle.
Of course, both teams could see this number go up or down if they are flexed into or out of Sunday Night Football later in the year.
How to Watch Rams-Seahawks
- TV Channel" Fox, NFL Network
- Online Stream: Amazon Prime, NFL app (subscription required for both)
Thursday Night Football in Week 5 is the first TNF game of the year shown live on Fox and streaming on Amazon Prime. If you have Prime, you can get this game on Prime Video. No cable login needed.
If you don't have access to any of the four methods listed above, the best way to get a free stream is to sign up for a trial of Sling TV, Fubo.TV, Hulu Live or YouTube TV.
Here is the full Thursday Night Football schedule:
| Week | Matchup | TV Channel and Stream |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Seahawks vs. Rams | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 6 | Eagles vs. Bucs | NFL Network |
| 7 | Browns vs. Broncos | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 8 | Cardinals vs. Packers | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 9 | Colts vs. Jets | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 10 | Dolphins vs. Ravens | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 11 | Falcons vs. Patriots | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 12 | Saints vs. Bills | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 13 | Saints vs. Cowboys | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 14 | Vikings vs. Steelers | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 15 | Chargers vs. Chiefs | Fox, NFLN, Amazon Prime |
| 16 | Titans vs. 49ers | NFL Network |
As you can see in the calendar above, three Saturday night games will be aired on the NFL Network in December, with two of those matchups yet to be announced.
Rams-Seahawks Odds
- Rams -2.5
- Seahawks +2.5
- Total:54.5
DraftKings opened this line at Seahawks -1 but within a day it quickly shifted to Rams -1. More significant movement came on the point total, which opened at 48.5 before rocketing up to 52. Now, it's all the way up to Rams -2.5 with an over/under of 54.5.
Prior to the season, the SuperBook in Las Vegas set this game's line at a pick 'em with the total at 48. With DraftKings opting to stay close to that line, bettors quickly saw value in the over and the Rams based on the first couple weeks of play.
Rams News and Schedule
One of the biggest storylines to follow this year with Los Angeles will be the play of new quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was acquired over the offseason.
Stafford has served as a big boost to the Rams' offensive production this far, ranking third among quarterbacks in EPA/play and throwing 11 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. His partnership with head coach Sean McVay will be a point of focus for the rest of the season, and that pair looks great through the first month.
On the other side of the ball, the Rams have had some struggles. Los Angeles is 27th in the league in yards conceded per game, though the team is slightly better in points conceded per game, ranking 19th.
Here is the schedule the Rams will be looking at after their game against the Seahawks.
| Week | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | @Seahawks | 8:20 |
| 6 | @Giants | 1:00 |
| 7 | vs. Lions | 4:05 |
| 8 | @Texans | 1:00 |
| 9 | vs. Titans | 8:20 |
| 10 | @49ers | 8:15 |
| 11 | BYE | |
| 12 | @Packers | 4:25 |
| 13 | vs. Jacksonville | 4:25 |
| 14 | @Cardinals | 8:15 |
| 15 | vs. Seahawks | 4:25 |
| 16 | @Vikings | 1:00 |
| 17 | @Ravens | 4:25 |
| 18 | vs. 49ers | 4:25 |
Seahawks News and Schedule
Typically, when you talk about the Seahawks, the conversation starts with Russell Wilson. It's hard to fault the eight-time Pro-Bowler for Seattle's slow start, as he's thrown for 9 touchdowns, rushed for 1 and hasn't thrown a pick through four weeks. Wilson leads the league in QBR and is ahead of second-place Patrick Mahomes by more than 10 points!
Pete Carroll's defense has been far more problematic than the offense, slotting in at dead last in the NFL in yards allowed per game and 21st in points conceded per game.
Here is what the outlook is for the rest of the season in Seattle, including three consecutive primetime games.
| Week | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | vs. Rams | 8:20 |
| 6 | @Steelers | 8:20 |
| 7 | vs. Saints | 8:15 |
| 8 | vs. Jaguars | 4:05 |
| 9 | BYE | |
| 10 | @Packers | 4:25 |
| 11 | vs. Cardinals | 4:25 |
| 12 | @WFT | 8:15 |
| 13 | vs. 49ers | 8:20 |
| 14 | @Texans | 1:00 |
| 15 | @Rams | 4:25 |
| 16 | vs. Bears | 4:05 |
| 17 | vs. Lions | 4:25 |
| 18 | @Cardinals | 4:25 |
