Seahawks vs. Rams preview

Key questions

1 Can anyone out there play wide receiver? If another one goes down, that might be the question Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren asks. The good news is that Deion Branch and Bobby Engram are working their way back and have an extra week after this game to do so. The bad news is that no one knows how much if at all Koren Robinson plays today, and it appears that Courtney Taylor is out of the starting lineup. That leaves Billy McMullen with Keary Colbert and Michael Bumpus next in line.

2 Can this lineup win?

It will have to, and it's imperative that the Seahawks win today. They are facing the NFL's worst team, period. The Rams are dead last in the NFL in total defense and total offense, averaging eight points a game in two losses. The Seahawks are certainly shorthanded, but a loss at home to such a team could be a season-killer.

3 Players to watch for the Rams: Let's start with seven-time Pro Bowl WR Torry Holt, who needs three catches to pass Keyshawn Johnson and Henry Ellard for 17th place on the NFL's all-time receptions list. Holt has 812, and has had big games against the Seahawks. Kicker Josh Brown makes his return after leaving the Seahawks in free agency in the offseason. Think he doesn't want to hit the game-winner at Qwest against his old team? And how about WR Dane Looker, the Puyallup native who could get the start today for the Rams opposite Holt? Then there is the young defensive-line tandem of DE Chris Long, the Rams' first-round pick this year, and DT Adam Carriker, their first-round pick from last season who is a Kennewick native.

4 What are a couple of keys to victory for Seattle? The running game that emerged last week will have to be solid in the absence of familiarity and experience at receiver. The Seahawks must prevent the big plays that burned then last week, as well as avoid the defensive penalties that also hurt them. They can't give QB Marc Bulger much time to throw, and sacks and hurries will be crucial.

Notable

Seahawks: Since 2002, the Seahawks hold an 8-4 advantage head-to-head in the regular season, while the Rams have won the only postseason game between the teams, a 27-20 victory in the NFC wild-card game in 2004 at Qwest Field. ... The overall series is tied 10-10. ... Thirteen meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less. ... Seattle has won 24 of the past 29 games at home and 15 of 20 in the NFC West. ... DE Patrick Kerney has 11 sacks in past six division games.

Rams: QB Marc Bulger has five 300-yard games against the Seahawks, including a playoff game. ... RB Steven Jackson has run for a touchdown in five of the past six meetings. ... When Jackson carries the ball 22 or more times, the Rams are 14-4. ... S O.J. Atogwe has seven interceptions in the past 10 games. ... DE Leonard Little has 6 ½ sacks against the Seahawks. ... DT La'Roi Glover has seven sacks in the past nine games against Seattle.

Injury report

Seahawks: RB Maurice Morris (knee) and WR Bobby Engram (shoulder) are out. QB Seneca Wallace (calf) and WR Deion Branch (knee) are doubtful. WR Koren Robinson (knee) and OT Sean Locklear (knee) are questionable. DT Rocky Bernard (hip), CB Kelly Jennings (ribs) and OT Walter Jones (hip, back) are probable.

Rams: WR Drew Bennett (foot) and WR Keenan Burton (knee) are out. DE Leonard Little (hamstring) is questionable. CB Ron Bartell (abdomen) is probable.

Last gameSeahawks: The Seahawks (0-2) lost a home opener for the first time since 2002, falling 33-30 to the San Francisco 49ers in overtime. Joe Nedney's 40-yard field goal sealed the Seahawks' fate after San Francisco converted two third downs with the only possession of overtime. The Seahawks jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a Julius Jones touchdown run and a fumble returned for a touchdown by defensive tackle Craig Terrill. But the 49ers scored off two Seahawks turnovers and rallied to take a lead in the third quarter. Seattle took a 30-27 lead with 7:41 left but couldn't score thereafter. Jones rushed for 127 yards and the Seahawks had eight sacks, but Hawks gave up too many big plays and were whistled for five penalties on the defensive backfield that extended drives.

Rams: The Rams fell to 0-2 with another lopsided loss, this one 41-13 in their home opener to the defending Super Bowl-champion New York Giants. Former Seahawks kicker Josh Brown booted a pair of 54-yard field goals inside the Edward Jones Dome, but the Rams had few other highlights.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com