Season of Boom

[Baze]

WEEK 11: LOS ANGELES RAMS vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
SoFi Stadium // Inglewood, CA
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Team | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | OT || FINAL
SEA (8-2) | 7 | 9 | 12 | 10 | - || 38
LAR (1-9) | 14 | 3 | 0 | 7 | - || 24
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Kenny McIntosh celebrates his first career touchdown in the 4th quarter at SoFi Stadium.

// Seahawks overcome slow start to defeat Rams
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Any doubts about a trap game were put to rest after the 1st quarter when the Seattle Seahawks outscored the Los Angeles Rams 31-10 in the final three quarters to capture their 8th win of the season and set up an important NFC West matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.

The Seahawks found themselves down 0-14 in the 1st quarter after Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp connected twice for touchdowns of 8 and 5 yards, with Kupp beating cornerback Coby Bryant on both occasions. Seattle's defense adjusted by assigning Tariq Woolen to cover Kupp, and after the change Kupp was held to just 1 reception. The Rams managed to score only 10 points after the 1st quarter, with a touchdown coming late in the 4th quarter as they trailed 38-17. Van Jefferson led all receivers with 11 catches and 131 yards. Stafford threw for nearly 200 yards in the 1st half before being held to under 100 in the second half.

In contrast to the season opener, the Seahawks limited Cam Akers to 60 yards on 18 carries and 39 yards on 5 catches.

Seattle was able to overcome the loud crowd at SoFi Stadium after the 1st quarter to score 31 points. Geno Smith scored on a quarterback sneak in the 2nd quarter to cut the Rams lead to two points, and after a Michael Dickson punt that went out of bounds at Los Angeles' 2-yard line, rookie defensive tackle Cameron Young was able to tackleAkers in the end zone for a safety, Seattle's first of the season.

All momentum belonged to the Seahawks in the 2nd half as they used their rushing attack once again to dictate the game. Zach Charbonnet (140 yards) and Deejay Dallas (102 yards, touchdown) became the first Seahawks duo to both rush for at least 100 yards in the same game. As a unit, the Seahawks combined for 281 rushing yards to topple their season-high that was set last week against the Washington Commanders. Rookie Kenny McIntosh (41 yards) also recorded his first career rushing touchdown late in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles simply had no answer for Seattle's ground game, which has been a force over the past 2 weeks despite losing offensive tackle Charles Cross for this week's game.

Smith kicked off the scoring in the second half when he found Tyler Lockett on a crossing pattern that turned into a 49-yard catch and run for a touchdown. Later in the 3rd quarter, Smith connected with Colby Parkinson for the tight end's first touchdown of the season. He finished with 2 catches for 19 yards, while Will Dissly caught 4 passes for 45 yards in place of the injured Noah Fant.

The Seahawks put their 4-game winning streak on the line when they host the 49ers on Thanksgiving.

Scoring Summary

• 1st Quarter
  [LAR] Cooper Kupp, 8-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (B. Maher kick) [9:25]
  [LAR] Cooper Kupp, 5-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (B. Maher kick) [5:41]
  [SEA] Deejay Dallas, 9-yard run (J. Myers kick) [1:31]

• 2nd Quarter
  [LAR] Brett Maher, 26-yard field goal [10:24]
  [SEA] Geno Smith, 1-yard run (J. Myers kick) [6:58]
  [SEA] Cam Akers tackled by Cameron Young for a safety [3:10]

• 3rd Quarter
  [SEA] Tyler Lockett, 49-yard pass from Geno Smith (J. Myers kick) [12:52]
  [SEA] Colby Parkinson, 4-yard pass from Geno Smith (2-point failed) [4:26]

• 4th Quarter
  [SEA] Kenny McIntosh, 5-yard run (J. Myers kick) [12:19]
  [SEA] Jason Myers, 18-yard field goal [6:36]
  [LAR] Davis Allen, 9-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (B. Maher kick) [2:48]

Notable Player Stats

• Seattle Seahawks (8-2)
  Geno Smith, QB: 15 of 23 (65%), 233 yards, 2 TD (127.6 passer rating)
  Zach Charbonnet, HB: 20 carries, 140 yards
  Deejay Dallas, HB: 12 carries, 102 yards, TD
  Tyler Lockett, WR: 4 receptions, 94 yards, TD
  Jamal Adams, S: 14 tackles, 2 TFL
  Devon Witherspoon, CB: 10 tackles, TFL, 0.5 sack
  Bobby Wagner, LB: 9 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack
  Julian Love, S: 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble

• Los Angeles Rams (1-9)
  Matthew Stafford, QB: 30 of 39 (76%), 298 yards, 3 TD (123.6 passer rating)
  Cam Akers, HB: 18 carries, 60 yards // 5 receptions, 39 yards
  Van Jefferson, WR: 11 receptions, 131 yards
  Cooper Kupp, WR: 7 receptions, 60 yards, 2 TD
  John Johnson III, S: 17 tackles
  Ernest Jones, LB: 8 tackles, 3 TFL
  Michael Hoecht, LB: 7 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks
  Aaron Donald, DE: 5 tackles, 3 TFL
  

[Baze]

// AROUND THE NFL - WEEK 11 \\

// Eagles conquer Chiefs in Super Bowl rematch
Philadelphia withstood a 328-yard and 2-touchdown night from Patrick Mahomes to leave Arrowhead Stadium with a narrow 3-point win. Jalen Hurts did not have his best night passing - 246 yards and an interception - but D'Andre Swift carried the load, rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles' defense also limited the Chiefs to just 43 rushing yards. Don't be surprised if this isn't the last time these two teams go head-to-head this season.

Here were other things to note for Week 11:

• Steelers lose key edge rusher Cameron Heyward for remainder of regular season
  If Pittsburgh is going to make the playoffs, they'll have to do so with their star defensive end, who dislocated his ankle in the team's victory over the Cleveland Browns. He has been instrumental in helping the Steelers to a 7-3 record, leading the team with 6.5 sacks. After the win, Pittsburgh still remains in 2nd place in the AFC North, trailing the Baltimore Ravens (8-3) and tying with the Cincinnati Bengals (7-3). They'll need more from T.J. Watt, who's only registered 2.5 sacks this season as they square off against the Bengals in a battle for 2nd place in the division, and possibly 1st place if Baltimore were to lose next week.

• Derrick Henry runs all over the Jags to lift the Titans to 1st place
  The running back is notorious for explosive performances against Tennessee's division rival...this time, he ran for 124 yards and 3 touchdowns on 20 carries to help the Titans take sole control of the AFC South with a 6-4 record. The Titans have now won 3 straight games, and interestingly enough all of their 6 wins have come on the road. They'll look to win their first home game of the season this week against the Carolina Panthers.

• The Lions can't be this bad, right?
  It's quite surprising to see Detroit still without a win in the 2023 season after a strong close to last season. Sadly, nothing seems to be going right in Detroit - the 10-game losing streak may become 11 on Thanksgiving against the Green Bay Packers, and now the Lions have to deal with the loss of last year's 2nd overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, who will miss the next month or so with a knee injury. It's too early to say, but...the Lions could become the NFL's first 0-17 team.

--------------------------------------------
NFL Scores: Week 11, 2023

• [29] Cincinnati Bengals // Baltimore Ravens [28]
• [42] Dallas Cowboys // Carolina Panthers [7]
• [21] Pittsburgh Steelers // Cleveland Browns [14]
• [27] Chicago Bears // Detroit Lions [17]
• [14] Los Angeles Chargers // Green Bay Packers [28]
• [21] Arizona Cardinals // Houston Texans [27]
• [35] Tennessee Titans // Jacksonville Jaguars [7]
• [28] Las Vegas Raiders // Miami Dolphins [31]
• [21] New York Giants // Washington Commanders [7]
• [20] Tampa Bay Buccaneers // San Francisco 49ers [14]
• [14] New York Jets // Buffalo Bills [24]
• [38] Seattle Seahawks // Los Angeles Rams [24]
• [28] Minnesota Vikings // Denver Broncos [10]
• [24] Philadelphia Eagles // Kansas City Chiefs [21]

Key Matchups for Week 12

• San Francisco 49ers (5-5) vs. Seattle Seahawks (8-2)
• New Orleans Saints (4-6) vs. Atlanta Falcons (5-5)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (7-3)
• Buffalo Bills (9-2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
• Chicago Bears (7-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (7-4)

Players of the Week

• Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys: 26 of 33, 314 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Rudy Ford, S, Green Bay Packers: 5 tackles, 1 interception, 1 touchdown
• Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 24 of 26, 255 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Robert Spillane, LB, Las Vegas Raiders: 13 tackles, 1 interception

Notable Transactions

• [MIA] Released CB Justin Bethel
• [BUF] Signed DE Stephen Weatherly
• [BUF] Released DT DaQuan Jones
• [HOU] Signed T Brandon Parker

Injury Report

• Ryan Jensen, C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Season (knee)
• Jalen Ramsey, CB, Miami Dolphins: 1 week (knee)
• Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets: Season (achilles)
• Chuck Clark, S, New York Jets: Season (knee)
• Darren Waller, TE, New York Giants: 1 week (shoulder)
• Frankie Luvu, LB, Carolina Panthers: 5 weeks (foot)
• Xavier McKinney, S, New York Giants: 3 weeks (shoulder)
• Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets: 5 weeks (foot)
• Josh Sweat, DE, Philadelphia Eagles: 1 week (finger)
• Charles Cross, OT, Seattle Seahawks: 2 weeks (elbow)
• Cameron Hayward, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers: 7 weeks (ankle)
• Shaq Mason, G, Houston Texans: 3 weeks (chest)
• Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions: 5 weeks (knee)
• J.K. Dobbins, HB, Baltimore Ravens: 5 weeks (knee)

[Soapy]

Kupp cooked you early but ya bounced back strong, salute

[Baze]

Kupp cooked you early but ya bounced back strong, salute

Put Tariq Woolen on him and called it a day. I'd rather have Van Jefferson burn me than Cooper.

Nickel/slot corner has been a big problem for this defense, as I'm trying to rotate Bryant/Artie Burns/and Mike Jackson.

[Baze]

// Pre-Snap Reads, Week 12: Wagner's status in doubt, Tre Brown to get more opportunities
// BY TERRENCE ROBINSON

RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks are 8-2 after eleven weeks of the NFL season, exceeding expectations set my oddsmakers coming into 2023. Their performance over the latter half of the season, however, may decide whether the Seahawks are a viable playoff team.

Currently, only 3 of Seattle's 8 wins come against teams with a winning record - the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens. In their final 7 contests, the Seahawks face a gauntlet of playoff contenders, including the Dallas Cowboys (8-2), Philadelphia Eagles (9-1), and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3). They also face the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans (6-4). Not to mention, the Seahawks also play the San Francisco 49ers (5-5) twice in the next 3 weeks, games that may ultimately decide the NFC West winner. Their first clash with the Niners come this Thursday night on Thanksgiving Day.

Team News

• Bobby Wagner was not seen in practice during the short week as he deals with back spasms. Wagner has been ruled a game-time decision by head coach Pete Carroll for Thursday's game, and if he does not play, the Seahawks will be without 5 starters against their division rival - Kenneth Walker III (ribs), Charles Cross (elbow), Noah Fant (chest), and Darell Taylor (shoulder) are still out. Jordyn Brooks and Devin Bush would be set to start in Seattle's 3-4 defensive scheme.

• While the Seahawks have made improvements with their passing defense, the nickel cornerback position remains a weakness - Seattle has tried a rotation of Coby Bryant, Mike Jackson Sr., and Artie Burns to go alongside Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen but that hasn't amounted to any positive results. Carroll told reporters this week that Tre Brown will likely be thrown into the rotation as the Seahawks face a receiving unit that includes George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk. Brown has primarily been used on the special teams unit.

• Seattle's running game has ascended to new levels since Walker III's injury, and it has left people wondering how the Seahawks will re-introduce the star running back into the rotation once he returns. Over the last three games, Zach Charbonnet has shown that he can tote the rock just as well while Deejay Dallas and Kenny McIntosh have served as just more than backups - Dallas has scored in consecutive games and McIntosh has found some rhythm in both the running and passing game. These performances, however, have come against 2 of the 3 worst defenses in the NFL, but regardless, it provides the Seahawks some comfort knowing that Walker does not need to take on a full workload when he comes back from injury. He is expected to be back next week against the Cowboys.

[Soapy]

Kupp cooked you early but ya bounced back strong, salute

Put Tariq Woolen on him and called it a day. I'd rather have Van Jefferson burn me than Cooper.

Nickel/slot corner has been a big problem for this defense, as I'm trying to rotate Bryant/Artie Burns/and Mike Jackson.

Artie Burns and Mike Jack, go canes

[Captain Canada]

Must have felt nice to get that back. Team is slowly falling apart to injuries though.

[Baze]

Kupp cooked you early but ya bounced back strong, salute

Put Tariq Woolen on him and called it a day. I'd rather have Van Jefferson burn me than Cooper.

Nickel/slot corner has been a big problem for this defense, as I'm trying to rotate Bryant/Artie Burns/and Mike Jackson.

Artie Burns and Mike Jack, go canes

mid.

Must have felt nice to get that back. Team is slowly falling apart to injuries though.

My biggest worry atm. If Geno goes down the season is over imo

[Baze]

// Week 12 Preview: San Francisco 49ers
// BY JEANIE ROTH

SEATTLE, Wash. - The 49ers and Seahawks will take the stage at Lumen Field for Thanksgiving Day's final game, one in which wide receiver Tyler Lockett calls "the most important game we'll have played this year".

"There's a lot going on in this game. First of course are the division implications. I think the winner of this game will have a lot of momentum to finish the season strong. Two is the rivalry. Everyone who was on this team last year still remembers what happened in the playoffs last year. We want to return the favor and do what we can to keep them [San Francisco] out of the playoffs this time."

49ers Key Performers

• QB Brock Purdy: 63% completion percentage, 1989 yards, 14 TD, 7 INT, 92.7 passer rating
• HB Christian McCaffrey: 904 yards (2nd in NFL), 4 touchdowns, 4.9 yards per carry
• HB Elijah Mitchell: 275 yards, 10 touchdowns (T-3rd in NFL)
• WR Brandon Aiyuk: 49 receptions, 622 yards, 8 touchdowns
• LB Fred Warner: 79 tackles, 3 TFL, 6 interceptions (1st in NFL)
• DE Nick Bosa: 30 tackles, 7 TFL, 6 sacks

San Francisco has been on a roller-coster ride through the first 10 games of the season and are coming off a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers are looking to return to the postseason after being eliminated in the NFC Championship Game last year...they defeated the Seahawks in the wild card round en route to the NFC Title game.

Brock Purdy's return from the wrist injury he suffered in last season's conference championship has been rocky, with the quarterback throwing for 14 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The offense has been led by San Francisco's top 10 running game - Christian McCaffrey ranks 2nd in the NFL with 904 yards, and backup Elijah Mitchell is tied for 3rd in the league with 10 rushing touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk has been the team's best receiver with 622 yards and 8 touchdowns, tied for 3rd most in the NFL. Defensively, the Niners rank 17th in points allowed per game (22.9) but are 10th in yards allowed, which includes ranking 3rd in rushing yards allowed (99.1 yards per game). Their 17 takeaways also ranked 4th in the league. Fred Warner's 6 interceptions lead the NFL, and Nick Bosa leads the team with 6 sacks.

Despite their 5-5 record, the 49ers have plenty of talent on both sides of the football, and a victory against their division rival on prime time could jump start what could be a strong finish to the regular season.

Things to Watch For

• Seahawks running backs vs. 49ers run defense
  The Seahawks have seemingly been unstoppable on the ground in the past 2 weeks, accumulating a total of 539 rushing yards against the Commanders and Rams, two of the worst defenses in the league. And they've been able to do this without Kenneth Walker III, who is still sidelined. In his place, the trio of Zach Charbonnet, Deejay Dallas, and Kenny McIntosh have been extremely efficient. Will the script remain the same for the Seahawks #1 rushing offense this week against the NFL's #3 rushing defense?

• Christian McCaffrey vs. Seattle's defense
  The all-purpose back has been a dominating force for San Francisco all season, and he's proven in his career that he can single-handedly win games. The Seahawks, despite their 31st-ranked passing defense has been one of the strongest teams against the run this season, allowing 99.5 yards per game. Can Seattle's defense contain McCaffrey?

• Can the Seahawks continue their winning streak in the face of all their injuries?
  Bobby Wagner has been ruled out, which puts the number of Seahawks starters out for this game at 5. Injuries may not have been a huge factor recently for the Seahawks, who played the 1-win Commanders and Rams in back-to-back weeks, but the Niners are a different type of opponent. Seattle's 4-game winning streak is on the line.

[Baze]

my goodness, best game of Madden I've played so far.