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Back in Weeks 4 and 5 we saw two Thursday night bangers between NFC West squads. In Week 4, the Seattle Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 23-20, and the next week the San Francisco 49ers took out the Los Angeles Rams 26-23 in overtime.

It looks like we’re in store for yet another Thursday night NFC West banger in Week 16, with the Rams (11-3) taking on the Seahawks (11-3). This game carries huge playoff implications for both teams. Let’s take a look at the deets.

The playoff implications: The Rams hold the No. 1 spot in the NFC, while the Seahawks sit at No. 5 thanks to being second place in the NFC West. However, a win over L.A. would give Seattle the top spot and drop the Rams down No. 5 (or No. 6 if the 49ers beat the Indianapolis Colts this week). So a division title and potential first-round bye in the playoffs is at stake in this game, making it one of the biggest contests of season.

What to watch for: Rams receiver Davante Adams is doubtful, while the Seahawks will be missing left tackle Charles Cross. With Adams out, L.A. should lean more on star WR Puka Nacua, but there’s another wideout who may emerge, per A.J. Schulte:

“Seventh-round pick Konata Mumpfield has seen his playing time increase every week, with back-to-back weeks of over 30+ snaps. He’s outpacing Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell on the depth chart, and the Rams have seemingly turned Adams’ role over to Mumpfield when he takes the field. His play will be crucial for the Rams in this one, for good reason.

“When the Rams get into their patented 13-personnel (three tight ends) sets, it’s been Mumpfield that has checked in outside as the lone receiver to replace Adams more often than Puka, which speaks to the staff’s belief in him. He’ll need to step up in this one.

“Mumpfield hasn’t been particularly productive, knotting just five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown this season, but the Rams clearly trust him and have had plenty of praise for his efforts this season and how “unlike” a rookie the seventh-round pick has been this year. With Puka Nacua drawing his usual amount of attention, Mumpfield will need to deliver if the Rams want to have the best possible chance of moving the ball through the air, working on the backside of concepts and getting separation when and where he can to let Stafford find him if Puka isn’t open on first glance.”

On the other side, Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues his dominant, league-leading season. In 14 games he’s racked up 1,541 yards and nine touchdowns, and he had fewer than 90 yards from scrimmage in only one of those games. JSN is currently pacing for 1,871 yards receiving, which would tie third all-time on the single-season receiving yards record list. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get close to Calvin Johnson’s all-time single-season record of 1,964 — he’d just need a few more dominant games.

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Our All-NFL newsletter from December 16, 2025.

Adam Zientek