Rams Take Down Seahawks in Season Opener

After a disaster of a 2022 season, the Los Angeles Rams looked back in form in their 2023 season opener on Sunday.

No Cooper Kupp? No Problem. At least in Week 1. 

After a disastrous 2022 season, in which they finished 5-12 in their Super Bowl defense, the Los Angeles Rams entered 2022 as one of the NFL's biggest unknowns. 

And for all intents and purposes, they answered those questions and more, taking down their division rival Seattle Seahawks 30-13 at Lumen Field.

One of the biggest questions heading into the opener was that of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who thanks to injuries to himself and the skill players around him, was coming off one of the worst statistical seasons of his career.

Suffice it to say, Stafford also answered the bell, completing 24 of 38 passes for 334 yards - all without his favorite target and best pass catcher Cooper Kupp sidelined for at least four weeks.

Instead, it was rookie Puka Nacua and second-year receiver Tutu Atwell who stepped up in the absence of Kupp, with Nacua ending the game with 10 catches on 15 targets for 119 yards.

Atwell meanwhile, finished with six receptions on eight targets for 119 yards of his own. 

And while Stafford didn't manage a touchdown pass on Sunday afternoon, the Rams running backs were able to finish the drive for L.A., with Kyren Williams accounting for two scores, and Cam Akers scoring the third. 

On the other side of the ball, the Rams defense played as well as could be expected, holding the Seattle offense to just 180 yards of total offense, and sacking quarterback Geno Smith twice, and hitting him seven more times along the way.

With their first win now in their pocket, the Rams (1-0) will turn their attention to yet another division rival in the San Francisco 49ers, who have won eight of the last nine matchups in the series.

The 49ers will be coming off of a dominant 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.