With the NFC West title in hand, how many starters will sit?
In the season finale, the Los Angeles Rams will host the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium this Sunday, January 5. Kickoff is set for 1:15 p.m. PST and will televised regionally on Fox Sports. While the 2024 ‘Hawks were expected to be improved and challenge for the divisional top spot, L.A. has the NFC West crown locked up.
Rams Head coach Sean McVay has indicated that he will follow form and rest a number of starting players. While the quality of play could be down, it will offer fan’s the excitement of seeing some little-used players in a real game situation.
The personnel changes may be minimal, but the possibilities run deep. Here’s a look at a realizable starting lineup with players currently on the active roster.
QB- Jimmy Garappolo
Why not let QB#2 knock off a little rust? If the blocking is porous, limit his usage to a few series and let Stetson Bennett close out the season.
RB- Blake Corum, Cory Schrader,
Fans will finally get to see Corum as part of the offense and not just plays here and there. McVay hinted in a presser about seeing Cory Schrader, he’s yet to be active since the Rams claimed him off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers back in August. Rivers will be there, ready to go, if either slip.
WR- Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Tyer Johnson
Robinson could easily be replaced by Jordan Whittington, but the rookie is battling a bum shoulder and has been limited in practice this week. Xavier Smith should see some work, but that’s it, unless the Rams want to use one of their weekly standard elevations from the practice squad.
TE- Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Hunter Long, Davis Allen
No reason not to use the usual suspects in 12-15 play rotation.
OL- RT Warren McClendon, RG Justin Dedich, C Dylan McMahon, LG Jonah Jackson, LT Joseph Noteboom
If you going to give a couple of the big fella’s a game off, give them all. It might not be as bad as you think, the Seahawks defensive line is nicked up. Five interior players are showing on the injury list. How motivated will they be in the final week, if all their play incentives are met?
DI- Tyler Davis, Neville Gallimore, Desjuan Johnson
Bobby Brown could start or sub in here too. A player like Keir Thomas off the practice squad could fit both inside and on the edge with a standard elevation.
E- Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson
It would be nice to get a long look at Jackson and he can play with a hand in the dirt, as well. Undoubtedly, Hoecht would play every snap like his hair’s on fire.
ILB- Omar Speights, Jake Hummel
Perfect spot for Hummel to get reps, in a full-game environment and not just spot action. If you are worried about Speights, he could be subbed out in nickel and dime packages or the Rams could run those player groupings exclusively.
S- Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough
Quentin Lake has not missed a defensive snap all season, is that streak important enough to skip a rest week? If not, he and Kamren Curl would be the backups. One of the practice squad safeties or corners could be a weekly elevation.
CB- Josh Wallace, Emmanuel Forbes
Again, It’s a fairly regular thing for corners to play 100% of game reps. Since neither has gotten much action recently, it would be good to see if either of these youngsters can help in the playoffs or offer a modicum of potential value for next year.
Conclusion
It will be interesting to see who rates a week off and who plays. Whoever see’s the field, expect them to play to win. Sean McVay has been good at keeping his team motivated and playing hard, even if there aren’t many stakes involved.
How to follow the game
Date: Sunday January 5
Kickoff: 1:25 p.m. PST
Location: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca.
Watch on TV
Regionally: Fox
Livestream
There are numerous available streaming services including, but not limited to NFL+, Peacock, Sling TV, Fubo, ESPN+, Hulu+ Live TV, and Paramount+
Listen on the radio
Local: ESPN LA 710 AM
Regionally: ESPN affiliate stations
- KMET/1490 AM & 98.1 FM – Banning, CA
- KFIG/1430 AM & 790 FM – Fresno, CA
- KAVL/610 AM & 106.7 FM – Lancaster, CA
- KRHQ/102.3 FM – Palm Springs, CA
- KTIE/590 AM – Riverside, CA
- KGB/760 AM – San Diego, CA
- KXTK/1280 AM & 101.7 FM – San Luis Obispo, CA
- KSMA/1240 AM & 99.5 FM – Santa Maria, CA
- KSHP/1400 AM & 107.1 FM – Las Vegas, NV
- KVLI/1140 AM & 103.7 FM – Bakersfield, CA
Local Spanish Radio coverage: Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM
Tu Liga Radio’s affiliate radio stations
- KTMZ/1220 AM – Pomona, CA
- KCAL/1410 AM – San Bernardino and Riverside, CA
- KOXR 910 AM – Oxnard and Ventura, CA
Follow the Rams on social media
Instagram: @rams
Facebook: /rams
X (formerly known as Twitter): @RamsNFL
TikTok: @rams
Current betting odds @ FanDuel Sportsbook
Line: LA Rams +6.5 -110 / SEA Seahawks -6.5 -110
Over/under total: over 38.5 -108 / under 38.5 -112
Money line: LA Rams +240 / SEA Seahawks -295