The Seattle Seahawks are on a roll, but they will face a major challenge in Week 11. That’s because the team will be taking on the Los Angeles Rams, who boast a 7-2 record just like the Seahawks heading into this contest.
The Rams aren’t taking this game lightly, as head coach Sean McVay knows just how much of a challenge the team has going up against Sam Darnold and company. After struggling early in his career, Darnold managed to revive his trajectory in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, earning him a three-year, $100.5 million contract from Seattle in free agency.
Darnold’s transformation from one of the biggest busts in NFL history to one of the top quarterbacks in the league has been stunning, to say the least. Ahead of this matchup, McVay made it clear just how much respect he has for the Seahawks’ quarterback.
### Sean McVay Gushes Over Sam Darnold Before Seahawks-Rams Clash
Darnold was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he played poorly enough that the team moved on after just three seasons. Following stints with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, Darnold landed with the Vikings, where he turned himself into the star the Jets once believed he could be.
In 2024, Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. However, he struggled under pressure late in the season. With the Vikings selecting J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the team decided to turn things over to McCarthy and let Darnold walk in free agency.
That decision has come back to haunt the Vikings as Darnold has starred for the Seahawks, while McCarthy has struggled. In nine games with Seattle, Darnold has thrown for 2,262 yards and 17 touchdowns, boasting a quarterback rating of 77.7, which is tops in the league.
Darnold has proven that his 2024 campaign was no fluke, and McVay knows his team faces a big challenge in Week 11.
“I’ve seen a lot of the same things that made him great last year in Minnesota,” McVay said last week. “I think he’s in a really good system. I think he does an excellent job of recognizing whatever the coverages are and being able to get the ball to where it should be. I’m seeing a guy that’s playing with a lot of confidence that’s been earned. It’s impressive. I’ve got a lot of respect for Sam.”
### Seahawks Looking to Take Full Control of NFC West in Week 11
Both the Seahawks and Rams have picked up some impressive wins this season, but this is easily the most important game for either side. Whoever wins will take control of the top spot in the NFC West division, a massive advantage as the playoff race tightens.
To complicate matters, the San Francisco 49ers also hold a 6-3 record and are getting their star quarterback, Brock Purdy, back in Week 11. That only adds to the importance of this game.
Darnold will need to outduel Matthew Stafford if Seattle wants to come out on top, a difficult task given Stafford has been just as effective as the Seahawks’ new star quarterback this season.
Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. For a regular-season matchup, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Fans can expect an intense battle as both teams fight for divisional supremacy and a strong position heading down the stretch.
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