What Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said about facing Rams QB Matt Stafford
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matt Stafford is on a heater. Stafford is one of the leading MVP candidates in the league, in addition to helping the Rams get out to a 7-2 record through Week 10.
The Seattle Seahawks now have to deal with Stafford for the first time this season in what could be a game that defines the NFC West for the rest of the 2025 season. Seattle is also 7-2, and the winner will take sole possession of first place in the division.
Stafford, 37, has 25 touchdown passes to just two interceptions this season and has the second-best quarterback rating of his career (69.2). Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald understands it's a tough assignment for his defense.
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"[He’s] obviously a great player … only gone against him a few times in my career, but this is probably the best I’ve seen him play," Macdonald said of Stafford, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. "He’s playing great football. He’s decisive, they’re putting him in great situations, diagnosing defenses at a really high level, handling the protections at a really high level. They’re really explosive right now."
Seattle is tied for second in yards allowed per play (4.6) and tied for fourth in net yards allowed per pass attempt (5.2). That, coupled with the third-best run defense in the league (3.7 yards per rush allowed), the Seahawks' defense has become a force to be reckoned with.
The Week 11 matchup between the Seahawks and Rams has rightfully been designated as a massive game for both teams. Something will have to give, as both teams are poised for playoff runs entering the latter half of the season. Playoff positioning within the NFC West will be critical for the rest of the conference.
The San Francisco 49ers (6-4) are also close on their heels, which makes the game even more critical. Either Stafford or Seattle's defense has to come out on top on Sunday.
Christian McCaffrey Delivers Blunt Message on 49ers’ Injury Woes
The San Francisco 49ers struggled during their 26-15 defeat to the Houston Texans on October 26 at NRG Stadium. Moreover, the injury bug continues to hit the Niners weekly, with three players suffering injuries.
Linebacker Dee Winters (knee), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (ankle), and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) are the latest players to deal with an injury. Nonetheless, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that these injuries
While San Francisco can’t avoid the injury bug, running back Christian McCaffrey isn’t dwelling on it, saying it’s simply part of life in the NFL.
“It’s the NFL and everybody has a jersey for a reason, and everybody’s on the team for a reason,” McCaffrey said postgame. “They can help us win football games. Obviously, it sucks losing guys—just transparently. You never want to lose anyone, especially core players, but it’s a next-man-up mentality. When that happens, you have to be really detailed.”
George Kittle Calls Out 49ers Offense
Even with the defense dealing with injuries, George Kittle didn’t mince words, calling out the offense for failing to give the defensive group enough support.
“I thought our defense played really well,” Kittle told reporters after the loss. “They were flying around, hitting people. If you’re holding the team to four field goals and just two touchdowns, our offense has to score points.
“When you’re three and out repeatedly, we’re not really doing anything to help our young defense that’s adjusting and figuring out the way they want to play football. I think this is really on the offense. I was really proud of how our defense played today.”
It wasn’t the best afternoon for McCaffrey on the ground. The 49ers star recorded eight carries for 25 rushing yards while in the air he did have three receptions for 43 receiving yards.
Kyle Shanahan Gives Blunt Words After 49ers Loss
The offense struggled to find rhythm, going three-and-out on six of its nine possessions, including the first three drives. On defense, missed tackles and blown coverages on third downs proved costly throughout the game.
Playing without Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Bryce Huff only added to the team’s issues. San Francisco failed to sack Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and pressured him twice. While Kittle acknowledged the offense didn’t deliver, Shanahan was more direct when discussing the loss to Houston.
“They kicked our ass,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said (h/t Vic Tafur of The Athletic). “And we’ve got to take it like men and come back, hopefully a little pissed off, and play better next week than we did this week. … There’s not much to sugarcoat. I was real disappointed in how we looked for all four quarters.”
It’ll be worth watching whether the 49ers can regroup in Week 9 when they take on the New York Giants, a team still trying to recover from a defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles.
For New York, though, the real blow came when rookie running back Cam Skattebo was carted off midway through the second quarter of the 38-20 loss on October 26 after suffering a severe dislocation to his right ankle.
