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Rams Are the NFL's Hottest Story. Don't Sleep on the Seahawks
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- Rams Are the NFL's Hottest Story. Don't Sleep on the Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams have been the story of the NFL offseason.
That reputation comes from doing the improbable: trading for Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett, two elites at their positions, and topping those moves by drawing Aaron Donald, the best defensive player of his era, out of retirement.
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Add in Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP, looking strong heading into this season, along with Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and an elite rushing duo in Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. The Rams may finish the year with the top-ranked offense and defense in the league.
ESPN's Peter Schrager understands that talent brings sky-high hopes for the Super Bowl, but it's the amount of hype the Rams have received that has him in shock.
Hype and bandwagon out of control
Jul 29, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Myles Garrett (95) talks to linebacker Byron Young (0) on a sideline during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Images
"I have never seen a team have the hype and the bandwagon as full, having lost two of three games to an opponent in their division in the history of this sport – from the year before," Schrager said on the "Pat McAfee Show." "The Rams' hype and bandwagon is out of control . It's spilling over with whoever and whatever."
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The Rams lost once to Seattle in the regular season, and again in the NFC Championship, before the Seahawks went on to win the Super Bowl. Seattle kept its core intact, extending key players, even as it lost pieces in free agency.
Seattle has a young head coach in Mike Macdonald, considered the league's best defensive mind, and it opens Week 1 with the fourth-shortest odds to repeat as champions , behind the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Rams.
Let's not forget about those Seahawks
Aug 28, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald watches play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
"The Seahawks are sitting up there very quietly in their Pacific Northwest haunts, watching as everyone else talks about the Rams as they bring back JSN with a happy extension, and they bring back Devon Witherspoon with a happy extension, and they bring back Leonard Williams and (Rashid) Shaheed and (Derrick) Hall, and bring in a first-round running back, who they're very excited about," he continued.
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"So, as everyone is going and everyone assumes I'm just going to be – what's the term the kids use? Glazing Sean McVay – I don't love any bandwagon where we're doing segments on the morning shows, 'The Rams or the field?' That doesn't feel right with the NFL. Let's not forget about those Seahawks and their madman of a coach, Mr. Mike Macdonald."
The Rams and Seahawks will have a long wait to settle the debate on the field. Their first meeting in 2026 comes in Week 16 on Christmas Day at Lumen Field.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
