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Rams OC Sends Clear Warning About Week 16 Seahawks

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Anderson | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 9:17 PM ET

The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for a Week 16 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks, and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is signaling that the challenge will be significant. LaFleur pointed to Seattle’s defensive adaptability after their Week 11 meeting, when LA eked out a 21-19 victory.

“When you’re doing something as an offense or a defense at a pretty high level, which I think we are in 13 personnel, naturally, you go against a guy like (head coach) Mike (Macdonald) and AD (defensive coordinator Aden Durde) over in Seattle, they’re going to have stuff for it,” LaFleur said. “They’re going to have stuff that you’re not prepared for. That’s what good coaches do, and they’re great coaches over there. So yeah, whatever they put on tape from us the first time, they’re going to have something new for us and we got to be willing to adjust. And thankfully, we got smart guys that don’t blink. Whatever they throw at us, we’ll be ready.”

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The numbers from the first matchup back up LaFleur’s caution. Seattle’s defense showed versatility against the Rams’ 13 personnel package, which features one running back and three tight ends. Over 18 plays in that formation, the Seahawks allowed just 49 total yards, averaging 2.72 yards per play and generating a negative expected points added (EPA) of -0.590.

Personnel-wise, Seattle mixed their packages effectively:

4-2-5: Used on 12 plays, limited LA to 4.0 yards per play.
5-2-4: Deployed in obvious running situations, allowing zero yards on two attempts.
6-2-3: Short-yardage/goal-line package that held the Rams to just 0.33 yards per play.

Seattle also leaned on disciplined coverage schemes, with Cover 0 man-to-man and Cover 3 zone proving especially effective. Their ability to adjust personnel and coverage allowed them to neutralize the Rams’ traditionally challenging heavy formations.

For the Rams, the key will be flexibility and execution. LaFleur emphasized that while the team succeeded in Week 11, the Seahawks will bring new wrinkles this time around. “They’re going to have something new for us and we got to be willing to adjust,” he said.

If LA hopes to replicate their narrow victory, they’ll need to maintain composure against Seattle’s stout run defense and varied coverage schemes. The Week 16 rematch promises to be a chess match between two adaptive coaching staffs.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

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