Tag: Rams

Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after a touchdown with quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Week 13 betting preview: No teasing, we like the Rams, Falcons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Success with our picks in recent weeks has caused perhaps a dangerous level of confidence, but you don’t question winning streaks in sports betting.

On the heels of our Week 11 “Love-in” – the emergence of Jordan Love as a useful NFL quarterback – we jumped aboard the train carrying the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills in Week 12.

Two more winning teaser bets at plus money (ATL +3.5 and the over 36.5; BUF +7.5 and the over 41.5) and we’re ready to rinse and repeat.

(Full disclosure: Our player prop of Stefon Diggs over 79 receiving yards fell 12 doggone feet short of cashing.)

Let’s go hunting.

See our primary play, along with a bonus play and a player prop below.

THE HEADLINER

Falcons at Jets, 1 p.m. ET

The line: Falcons -1.5, total 34 (FanDuel)

The Falcons stepped up and won an ugly NFC South matchup with the New Orleans Saints last week. The division title is right there for the taking.

And Desmond Ridder is the man to lead them … well, about that level of confidence.

Ridder wasn’t great last week, throwing two picks including one at the Saints 1-yard line late in the second quarter.

That said, he doesn’t need to be great because coach Arthur Smith and the offensive staff are finally letting the big dog, Bijan Robinson, eat a little more.

Robinson handled an increased workload like a champ, and he looks ready to flex again in New Jersey.

Atlanta rushed for a season-high 228 yards against New Orleans.

Ridder and Robinson – along with Robinson’s running mate Tyler Allgeier – will put enough points on the board to top New York’s struggling offense.

The Jets need to win two of their next three to even sniff a chance at offering Aaron Rodgers a meaningful snap this season.

And Tim Boyle is the man to lead them …. again, confidence level.

A defense initially heralded as top of the heap (maybe even A-number-one), is not so threatening anymore. Last week, the Miami Dolphins put up 34 points (that included a pick-6, but we digress) at the Jets.

The New York malaise is hardly the fault of the defense, of course.

Fun stat, courtesy of Action Network:

“The NFL average for series success rate is 70% on offense, which means that offenses turn a first-and-10 into another first down or touchdown 70% of the time league-wide.

“The Patriots rank 30th at 65% … the Giants are 31st at 60% and the Jets are all the way down at 58%.”

Jets coach Robert Saleh said he’s hopeful that tackle Mekhi Becton (ankle, knee) will be back Sunday after missing the Dolphins game.

The bet: Same-game parlay, Falcons teased to +3.5 with the over teased to 28.5 (odds of -110 at FanDuel).

THEY SAID IT

“We’re about to go play a really good defense in New York so (the offense) better be ready to go. … I thought the offensive line played the best game since I’ve been here (against New Orleans). We’ve invested heavily in those guys and we’ve just got to stick with our way of doing things.”

– Falcons coach Arthur Smith.

BONUS COMBO

Browns at Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET

The line: Rams -3.5, total 40 (BetMGM).

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is a Super Bowl champ, and his team is finding its footing as it returns to full health.

LA crushed the Arizona Cardinals last week, and running back Kyren Williams looks every bit a standout. Last week was his first game back from an ankle injury that cost him an entire month.

The Cleveland Browns are decimated. Injuries hit hard, claiming Deshaun Watson and backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion).

Cleveland might start veteran Joe Flacco, who was signed only 10 days ago.

If not Flacco, PJ Walker will start. He is 38th out of 41 quarterbacks in efficiency.

The Browns’ defense, led by Myles Garrett, is terrific. Unfortunately for Cleveland, Garrett suffered a shoulder injury and, best case if he plays, he will play with pain Sunday.

The play: Same-game parlay, Rams teased to -2.5 with the over teased to 30.5 (at +110 odds, per BetMGM).

PROP CORNER

This is a great spot for the continued “Bijan Breakout” experience.

The Jets defense is a little overhyped – and vulnerable to the run – while boasting a talented secondary.

Receiver Drake London may be slowed by Sauce Gardner, fine, but who was second last week behind London’s seven targets? Bijan! He caught three of his six targets for 32 yards.

Robinson also carried the ball 16 times for 91 yards, and his usage doesn’t figure to decrease this week.

Prop play: Falcons RB Bijan Robinson over 79.5 rushing+receiving yards. (-145 at DraftKings).

–Field Level Media

After years torturing the team as a member of the Ravens, new Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco could be asked to save their season in L.A. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Browns OC trusts ‘elite’ arm of QB Joe Flacco ready for Rams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Flacco is ready to roll if called upon by the Browns to beat the Rams this week thanks to his “elite” arm strength.

At least that’s the view shared by Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on Thursday with Flacco, 38, taking the majority of the first-team reps at quarterback due to Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s concussion.

“He has an elite arm. There’s no question,” Van Pelt said. “If you put it on a scale of 1-5, he’s a 5. His ball flight, velocity on the ball at every level of the field is impressive.”

A longtime Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl winner, Flacco went 18-3 in his career against the Browns. He’d be the franchise’s 39th different starter since 1999 and fourth this season.

Flacco was 1-8 in nine starts with the New York Jets the past three seasons. He was unsigned since the end of the 2022 season until the Browns rang.

That one win was Week 2 of last season over the Browns. Flacco completed 26 of 44 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-30 win.

If he starts Sunday against the Rams and Matthew Stafford (35), the matchup would pit the two oldest starters going head to head in the NFL this season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed the loose wires involved in creating a gameplan for quarterbacks with diametrically opposed styles. Thompson-Robinson is a scrambling speedster with the athleticism of a wide receiver. Flacco is more of a throw-it-through-a-wall kind of quarterback in the mold of traditional pocket passers.

“Big, strong arm,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, he can make every throw, but he’s done a very nice job in the meeting room, getting to know his teammates, getting to know the assistants. He’s done a nice job.”

The Browns, practicing at UCLA this week, will know more by the end of the day when testing concludes for Thompson-Robinson.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) rushes past Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Battered Browns bid to regroup against Rams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Banged up but unbowed, the Cleveland Browns will try to improve their positioning in the AFC playoff picture when they visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Cleveland remained out west following its 29-12 loss at Denver last Sunday. Now the Browns hope to stay healthy after injuries forced defensive end Myles Garrett (left shoulder), quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion), wide receiver Amari Cooper (rib) and defensive end Jordan Elliott (ankle) from the game.

In addition, cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder), safety Juan Thornhill (calf) and running back Kareem Hunt (groin) were among those who didn’t practice on Wednesday.

Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed this week that Garrett, whose 13 sacks are tied for second in the NFL, did not sustain structural damage to his shoulder and is day-to-day.

“We have high hopes for this season and what we want to do,” Garrett said. “Nothing like this is going to hold us back or me back.”

The Browns (7-4) hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC, one game clear of the seventh-seeded Indianapolis Colts.

While the likely return of Garrett provides a boost to the defense, things are less settled on the other side of the ball. Thompson-Robinson, a rookie who stepped in when Deshaun Watson underwent season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, left against the Broncos following a hard hit by Baron Browning.

Denver collected four sacks against Browns backup PJ Walker, including one for a safety. Thompson-Robinson did not practice Wednesday as he progresses through the concussion protocol. Given Walker’s ineffectiveness (6-for-13, 56 yards), the team is pondering the possibility of giving veteran Joe Flacco the reins of the attack. Flacco took first-team reps Wednesday.

“He just loves football. You hear some of the stories he’s been a part of,” Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio said. “Obviously, we played against him a bunch when he was in Baltimore and last year with the Jets, but it’s good to have a veteran presence.”

The Rams (5-6) can attest to the importance of seasoning under center. Healthy after spraining a right thumb ligament in a Week 8 loss at Dallas, quarterback Matthew Stafford has steered Los Angeles to consecutive victories for the first time this season.

In last Sunday’s 37-14 win against the Arizona Cardinals, Stafford passed for 229 yards and a season-best four touchdowns — two each to Kyren Williams and tight end Tyler Higbee.

Williams, who had missed the previous four games with an ankle injury, earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushing for 143 yards to go with his 61 receiving yards.

Los Angeles has regrouped from a three-game losing streak to move a half-game behind the Minnesota Vikings for the final NFC playoff spot.

“The consistent approach has been, if you take care of your business, then that (postseason) conversation continues on,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “And so there’s still a lot of football left to be played, there’s still a lot of things that we have to do to continue to take steps in the right direction. … We know it’s going to be a great challenge against a team that has done an excellent job.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stafford leads Rams to rout of Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford threw a season-high four touchdown passes Sunday and the visiting Los Angeles Rams won consecutive games for the first time this season with a 37-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at Glendale, Ariz.

Tyler Higbee caught two TD passes and Kyren Williams added two receiving TDs of his own after missing the past four games with an ankle injury. Royce Freeman added a rushing TD for the Rams (5-6), who earned their ninth consecutive victory at Arizona.

Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay improved to 12-2 all-time against Arizona in regular-season games.

Williams added 143 rushing yards on 16 carries, including a 56-yard run in the third quarter that is the Rams’ longest play this season. Stafford was 25-of-33 passing for 229 yards and one interception.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was 27-of-45 passing for 256 yards and a touchdown in his third game of the season, missing the first nine games after knee surgery. Arizona (2-10) was held under 200 net yards through three quarters while losing for the eighth time in nine games.

The Rams went 75 yards in nine plays on their opening drive of the game, scoring on Stafford’s 7-yard pass to Higbee.

The Cardinals answered with a 75-yard drive of their own in 12 plays, with Murray scoring on a 2-yard run, while Clayton Tune ran for the two-point conversion and an 8-7 Arizona lead.

The Rams scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter for a 21-8 lead, with Higbee catching a 5-yard scoring strike and Williams taking a catch and run into the end zone from 15 yards out with 59 seconds remaining in the first half.

In a microcosm of the Cardinals’ day, Matt Prater made a 56-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter but it was negated by a holding penalty that ended the first half.

The Rams put the game away on a 13-play, 54-yard drive that ended with Williams’ 3-yard TD reception from Stafford and a 31-8 lead with 12:41 remaining. It was Williams’ ninth TD of the season, three receiving, in seven games.

Freeman scored for the Rams on a 23-yard run with 8:19 remaining and the Cardinals found the end zone on a 6-yard reception from Murray to Greg Dortch with 5:12 to play.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during pre-game warms up before an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) to play vs. Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp will play in Sunday’s game against the host Arizona Cardinals, coach Sean McVay said Friday.

Kupp sustained a sprained right ankle while blocking on a running play during the second quarter of Los Angeles’ 17-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. He didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday and was limited the following day.

McVay said Kupp would be a full participant in Friday’s session.

“I thought he looked good (Thursday),” McVay said. “It’s always tough because you try to simulate game-like settings as much as possible when you get the adrenaline going, the magic of the jersey, if you will. … I’ll probably have a good feel for how he moves around today, but his feedback and just looking at it from afar, (it) seems like he’s feeling pretty good.”

Kupp, 30, missed four games to start the season because of a hamstring injury. He returned to action Oct. 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. In six games (all starts), he has 24 receptions for 375 yards and one touchdown.

Kupp has spent his entire career with the Rams, who selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Eastern Washington. In 86 career games (72 starts), Kupp has 532 receptions for 6,704 yards and 47 TDs, and 23 rushing attempts for 132 yards and one score.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) runs against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams to ride maturing defense vs. Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One week after the Los Angeles Rams’ defense bullied its way to a victory, it will square off on the road against a motivated quarterback in the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray on Sunday at Glendale, Ariz.

The Rams’ up-and-down ride of a year is back on the rise after a 17-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, which ended a three-game losing streak.

Opening their season with low expectations from everybody but themselves amid a challenging early schedule, the Rams won three of their first six games, hit their losing skid then defeated the Seahawks for the second time in 2023.

While the Rams’ offense led a surprise victory at Seattle to open the season, the Aaron Donald-led defense highlighted the win at Los Angeles over the weekend.

It was Donald who knocked the Seahawks’ Geno Smith from the game on a quarterback pressure late in the third quarter Sunday. Smith missed two full series and then was foiled in his bid to lead a final game-winning drive.

The Seahawks were held to 87 net yards in the second half when they scored three points.

“They have done a really good job and I think you’re seeing a lot of guys get better,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said of the defense. “They’re accumulating experience. … I think everybody has probably been surprised except for the people in this building.”

While the Los Angeles defense has been the star of late, Matthew Stafford did return at quarterback against the Seahawks after missing a game with a thumb injury. He led a 10-point comeback without wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who left early with an ankle injury. Kupp and safety Quentin Lake (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.

After missing four games, the Rams will see running back Kyren Williams (ankle) return. Williams, who leads the Rams with 456 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, was injured in Los Angeles’ 26-9 victory over Arizona on Oct. 15.

“You go back to his last game and arguably it was his best game statistically,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said of Williams’ 158 yards and one touchdown against Arizona. “… He brings an element of explosiveness.”

Murray returned from knee surgery to lead the Cardinals to a 25-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, but his late rally stalled out on Sunday in a 21-16 road defeat to the Houston Texans.

Murray had 214 yards passing and 51 rushing against the Texans, but the 27 yards he couldn’t cover was the difference. The Cardinals were stopped deep in Texans territory in the final minute, turning the ball over on downs just inside the Houston 30.

Murray put the defeat on his shoulders.

“I feel like I had enough chances to win the game,” Murray said immediately after the loss. “(I) let the team down.”

A few days has done little to relieve the disappointment.

“You come back in and watch it and it’s reaggravation that you get,” Murray said Wednesday. “You’re frustrated with, ‘How did this happen? How did we end up in that situation?’ You go over the mistakes and where we can get better.”

Defense is where the Cardinals also can improve. They enter Sunday in the bottom third of the NFL with 349.5 yards allowed per game and 25.8 points allowed. While Arizona held Houston under that point total Sunday, it allowed 419 total yards.

That defense was without three players at practice Wednesday as safety Joey Blount (knee), cornerback Antonio Hamilton (groin) and tackle Kevin Strong (knee) were out. Wide receiver Michael Wilson (shoulder) also missed practice. Receivers Marquise Brown (heel) and Zach Pascal (hamstring) were limited.

Defensive tackle Larrell Murchison (knee) and center Coleman Shelton (ankle) also missed practice for the Rams, who had a limited practice from receiver Puka Nacua (shoulder) and cornerback Cobie Durant (shoulder).

–Field Level Media

October 15, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) celebrates a first down during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Rams designate RB Kyren Williams for return from IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams designated running back Kyren Williams for return from injured reserve Wednesday and the expectation is that he’ll be ready to play this week.

Williams has missed the past four games with an ankle injury sustained against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 15. The Rams (4-6) visit the Cardinals (2-9) on Sunday.

The Rams also designated safety Jason Taylor II for return but it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to play Sunday. The Rams have 21 days to add him to the 53-man roster.

Williams’ return to practice comes a day after the team waived running back Darrell Henderson.

Henderson rushed 46 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns in four games (all starts) this season. He also had 10 catches for 103 yards.

Henderson, 26, was drafted in the third round by the Rams out of Memphis in 2019. He has 1,854 career rushing yards with 15 touchdowns and 76 catches for 577 yards and four scores in 54 games (32 starts) for Los Angeles.

Williams suffered his injury during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 26-9 win over the Cardinals last month. Williams rushed for 158 yards against the Cardinals, the most by a Rams running back since December 2020.

Williams, 23, has 456 yards rushing and six touchdowns in six games (five starts) this season. He has 13 receptions for 105 yards and one score.

Taylor, a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft, has been on IR since the start of the season with a groin injury. He’s yet to play in his first pro game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson Jr. (27) runs against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams waive RB Darrell Henderson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams waived Darrell Henderson on Tuesday with fellow running back Kyren Williams expected to return from injured reserve later this week.

Henderson rushed 46 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns in four games (all starts) this season. He also had 10 catches for 103 yards.

Henderson, 26, was drafted in the third round by the Rams out of Memphis in 2019. He has 1,854 career rushing yards with 15 touchdowns and 76 catches for 577 yards and four scores in 54 games (32 starts) for Los Angeles.

Williams suffered his injury during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 26-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 15.

Williams rushed for 158 yards against the Cardinals, the most by a Rams running back since December 2020.

Williams, 23, has 456 yards rushing and six touchdowns in six games (five starts) this season. He has 13 receptions for 105 yards and one score.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) runs against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht (97) in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams dump Seahawks for 2nd time this season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Lucas Havrisik kicked a 22-yard field goal with 1:31 remaining as the Los Angeles Rams rallied to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 17-16 Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith returned from an injury to guide Seattle into field-goal range in the final seconds, but Jason Myers’ 55-yard attempt missed just right.

Matthew Stafford was 17-of-31 passing for 190 yards and a touchdown for the Rams (4-6), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Royce Freeman rushed 17 times for 73 yards.

It was a hard-hitting affair between the NFC West rivals.

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) both left with injuries in the first half and didn’t return.

Smith took a hard hit from Aaron Donald on the penultimate play of the third quarter and went to the sidelines with a right elbow injury. He only returned after the Rams took the lead.

Smith was 22 of 34 passing for 233 yards and a touchdown.

The Rams’ Darrell Henderson Jr. scored on a 1-yard run with 7:38 remaining to cut Seattle’s lead to 16-14.

The Seahawks (6-4) scored on their first three possessions to take a 13-0 lead.

Smith hit DK Metcalf with an 8-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive, then Myers kicked field goals of 54 and 43 yards.

The Seahawks, who managed just 180 yards of total offense in their 30-13 loss to the visiting Rams in the season opener, surpassed that in the first half Sunday with 204 yards.

The Rams, who had just 78 yards in their first three possessions, put together a nine-play, 75-yard drive to end the half, with Stafford throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Puka Nacua with nine seconds remaining to cut Seattle’s lead to 13-7.

Myers added a 52-yarder with 8:03 left in the third quarter to make it 16-7.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett had five receptions for 51 yards to move past Brian Blades for second in franchise history in both catches and receiving yardage. He trails Hall of Famer Steve Largent in both categories.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner, who returned to Seattle after one season with the Rams, made 10 tackles to reach 100 for a 12th consecutive season, the third NFL player to do so. London Fletcher and Derrick Brooks are the others.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) after throwing a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Motivated Seahawks focused on rematch vs. Rams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Seattle Seahawks likely won’t overlook the Los Angeles Rams heading into Sunday’s NFC West matchup in Inglewood, Calif.

The Rams are coming off a bye and quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing one game with a sprained ligament in the thumb on his throwing hand.

Plus, there’s the little matter of the season opener in Seattle, when the Rams pulled away in the second half for a 30-13 victory.

“I thought we were in great shape (at halftime). It’s shocking to me now that we weren’t able to take advantage of that,” said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, whose team was outscored 23-0 after intermission. “… I don’t think we were cocky at all. We surely didn’t talk like that.”

Stafford returns for the Rams after missing a 20-3 loss at Green Bay on Nov. 5.

“He’s making great progress, and so we’re operating with the anticipation and expectation that he is going to be good to go,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “He’ll be pushing through, but we expect him to be able to start and play and do his thing and lead the way this week.”

Stafford was a full participant in practice this week, while offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (calf), cornerback Cobie Durant (shoulder), defensive end Larrell Murchison (knee) and receiver Puka Nacua (knee) were limited.

Stafford has passed for 2,070 yards with eight TDs and seven interceptions while completing 59.7 percent of his attempts for the Rams (3-6), who have lost three in a row.

Stafford has a new backup in Carson Wentz, who was signed last week after Brett Rypien was waived.

“It’s really just a chance to upgrade the quarterback room,” McVay said. “We feel good about Matthew returning, and when he’s out there, you feel great about the leadership that he provides. But God forbid if something were to happen where he weren’t available, we felt like this would offer an opportunity with someone that’s played a lot of high-level football to get him in here, get him familiar with some of the things that we’re doing.”

Rypien has since landed with the Seahawks as their No. 3 quarterback.

The Seahawks (6-3) defeated the visiting Washington Commanders 29-26 Sunday on a last-second field goal by Jason Myers to remain tied atop the division with the San Francisco 49ers.

“We had moments where we did really well. We had moments where we need to clean things up,” said Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, who returned to Seattle in the offseason after spending last year with the Rams. “We just got to get better.”

After struggling for a few weeks, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith got it together in the second half against the Commanders. He completed 9 of 11 passes on Seattle’s final two scoring drives, with one of those a spike to stop the clock.

“We have a lot of faith in him. He’s a great leader and we trust him,” Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III said of Smith. “I see it day in and day out. In those situations, I’m glad that we’ve got Geno.”

Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (hamstring) and tight end Colby Parkinson (biceps) have missed practice time this week, while punter Michael Dickson (hamstring), offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (knee) and guard Damien Lewis (back) have been limited participants.

–Field Level Media