After their thrilling win, Seahawks set up for a letdown

By Jim Moore

That was one of the greatest games in Seahawks history. That was one of the most unbelievable endings in NFL history. That was one of the most incredible games ever on “Monday Night Football.”

When you’re involved in a game like that, how can you possibly get fired up for the next one on the schedule?

Here’s a list of reasons why I’m picking the Rams to beat the Seahawks on Sunday:

Cornerback Cortland Finnegan embodies the tough and aggressive mentality that new coach Jeff Fisher has brought to the St. Louis Rams. (AP photo)

• It’s an obvious spot for a letdown. When you go from playing Dallas and Green Bay at home to St. Louis on the road, good luck on recharging the batteries.

• It’s a 10 a.m. kickoff. Last year the Seahawks handled early starting times better than they have in the past, but it’s still a concern.

• Michael Robinson said the Seahawks left the Monday night game on Monday, but with all of the hoopla surrounding Golden Tate’s controversial touchdown reception, this hasn’t been a normal week for the players. There’s been so much national attention and so many tweets this week – I’m guessing all of that that stuff has been highly distracting.

• Under normal circumstances, a game against the Rams is rarely one that the Seahawks would circle on the schedule. Seattle has beaten St. Louis 13 out of the last 14 games. And these aren’t normal circumstances.

• Jeff Fisher. I respect Jeff Fisher. Even if the Rams lose this game, I expect their head coach to keep them in the game.

• Cortland Finnegan. I’m glad the official officials are back for this game because the St. Louis cornerback is a dirty player who will try to get into the Seahawks’ receivers’ heads. I’m guessing in spite of their best efforts to steer clear of a scuffle with Finnegan, he’ll be a positive factor for St. Louis.

• Brandon Gibson gives the Rams a complementary receiving threat to Danny Amendola. What, did you think I’d write an entire post without a gratuitous reference to a Coug? And in Gibson’s case, it’s not that gratuitous – he has two touchdown receptions so far.

• If the Seahawks can dominate Dallas and Green Bay, it figures that they’d be able to dominate a much weaker St. Louis offense. But it doesn’t always work that way in the NFL, as you know. What you see one week can drastically change the next. The Seahawks’ defense won’t have the 12th Man to help them on Sunday.

• Greg Zuerlein. Who’s Greg Zuerlein? The Rams’ kicker. He’s 8 for 8 on his field goals. A sixth-round pick out of Missouri Western, Zuerlein made a 56-yarder last week against the Bears. He’s also hit a 74-yarder in practice. It says here that Zuerlein hits the game-winner from 55 yards on Sunday.

My prediction: Rams 20, Seahawks 17

The Go 2 Guy also writes for his website, www.jimmoorethego2guy.com; www.kitsapsun.com; and www.cougfan.com. You can reach him at jimmoorethego2guy@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @cougsgo.