Fiery Seahawks defense looks to rattle Bradford

There is something about Seahawks vs. Rams.

Any football fan outside of Seattle and St. Louis probably doesn't understand what I mean. And why should they?

The Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams are the butt of many NFL jokes. Neither team has sniffed the playoffs in years or even the division title. Yet, when these two strap up the laces and line up across from each other Sunday afternoon, there is a unique bitterness pulsating between that four inch gap called the line of scrimmage.

The Seahawks have won the last ten games versus the Rams. A very nice streak for any team and a devastating streak for another. You can imagine how the Rams players feel about the Hawks coming to their turf this weekend. They want this to end. Now.

Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said this week that "it wouldn’t matter if we had won 10 games in a row, I would still want to beat them."

Of course, second-year head coach Spagnuolo only experienced two of those losses but it is apparent he feels the intensity of the division rival match-up just the same.

The first overall NFL draft pick, quarterback Sam Bradford, was drafted by St. Louis this year and this Sunday marks the first of many battles with the Seahawks. Bradford replaces long time Rams quarterback, Marc Bulger and many other unworthy QB's St. Louis has thrown into the fire over the years.

Bradford gives the Rams a very interesting dynamic for the future. So far he has played well (for a rookie). Bradford has thrown for 655 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. The Seahawks are sure to exploit Bradford's short-comings with their consistent pass rush and ball hawking secondary.

As for the Seattle's offense, runningback Justin Forsett needs to continue to work the gaps that the rag-tag offensive line provides him. Head coach Pete Carroll said this week that there is strong possibility that Seattle's own first round draft pick, Russell Okung plays this week at left tackle.

Okung suffered a high-ankle sprain very early in the season and has a lot to prove. If Okung can get comfortable covering Matt Hasselbeck's blindside; the Seahawk faithful will be quite smitten. Left tackle has been a black hole since All-Pro Walter Jones retired.

Rams runningback Steven Jackson is questionable with a pesky groin injury, so the Seahawks might avoid one of the league's biggest bruisers. Even if Jackson plays, the Seahawks defense should be able to contain him with stout D-line play. The Seahawks are only allowing 2.5 yards per carry through three games.

This Sunday at St. Louis figures to be the most winnable road game this season for the Hawks; a team that plays like Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde depending if they're at Qwest Field or not.

I think if reality plays out, the Seahawks will be 3-1 entering the bye week. First in the NFC West.