This was a crucial win. Think about the sliding doors effect.

If the Seahawks lose this game you’re looking at two weeks of teeth-gnashing and hand-wringing. The game in New York against the Giants would be labelled a ‘win or bust’. They’d be 2.5 games behind the Rams, ceding all momentum in the NFC West in the process.

People would be questioning Seattle’s ability to make the playoffs — and you’d hear a lot about the Championship window closing.

The Rams? They’d be crowned in the media.

Instead, the Seahawks are in first place in the NFC West and showed they’re still the team to beat in this division.

The game in New York has a totally different feel now. After a week of rest, it’s a big opportunity to continue building momentum.

People will ask questions about how good the Rams truly are.

The Seahawks have a crucial tie-breaker against their strongest opponent in the division. Arizona look a shell of their former selves.

The Giants are hurting. Eli Manning reportedly has a neck injury. Odell Beckham Jr broke his leg. Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard both picked up ankle injuries. Dwayne Harris fractured his foot early in the second half. Big opportunity in a fortnight.

This was such an important victory.

The season feels like it’s starting to come to life.

Seattle’s offense clearly still has a ways to go. The Rams gave the Seahawks numerous opportunities to close the game out. The defense forced five turnovers and the offense didn’t really capitalise.

The running game in particular continues to toil and struggle. The Rams had the 30th ranked run defense coming into the game and yet Seattle mustered only 62 yards on 25 attempts. 16 of those yards came from Russell Wilson as did five of the runs. To only run 20 times in a game like this was a little peculiar against such a poorly performing opponent.

Even so, this is the Rams — the opponent that regularly devours Seattle’s offense. And while it’d be tempting to over-analyse and pontificate about the struggles running the ball — this should be a day to celebrate the Seahawks defense instead.

Five turnovers, limiting Todd Gurley to just 43 yards on 14 carries and some huge game-changing plays is the story of the game.

Earl Thomas’ incredible forced fumble in the first quarter took seven points off the board. It’s the second time he’s done it against the Rams — and confirms again why he is one of the true defensive greats of his generation.

Frank Clark dominated his side of the line versus the run throughout. The Rams, time and time again, ran to his side on first down only to be met with a negative consequence. On one play he rode Andrew Whitworth into the backfield before dumping Todd Gurley. Clark also had the vital sack/fumble and ended with two TFL’s (it felt like more). He is truly developing into a big time playmaker.

Sheldon Richardson joins Naz Jones in collecting a big-man interception. He might not be having the kind of impact everyone hoped for as a pass rusher — but his work against the run and his two big plays today (the pick and the fumble recovery) meant he had a significant impact on a game for the first time in Seattle.

He wasn’t the only defensive tackle having a big day. Jarran Reed is really emerging into a terrific player. Did you see him bench press an interior lineman into Jared Goff on the Thomas interception?

After a couple years where the turnover numbers for this defense regressed, this has been a really promising start to the 2017 season.

There were a few sloppy moments along the way — Tavon Austin’s sauntering touchdown, the third and long problems continue and Los Angeles nearly stole a win with a relatively easy last gasp drive.

Overall though the defense dealt a reality check to the Rams and asserted their authority on the division. The team with the hyper-productive offense, the magical young Head Coach, the dynamic running back and the developing young quarterback had a 10-point day.

That’s not to dismiss Los Angeles completely as an overrated upstart. They have talent and will surely only get better with time.

Yet Goff looked a lot like the player we saw last year as a rookie. Despite facing very little pressure he was often jumpy and inaccurate. The Earl Thomas interception followed several other throws that could’ve been picked.

He wasn’t facing the 49ers, Colts or Cowboys defense today.

This was a big stage for Goff and LA’s offense. A chance to make a statement that the hype was justified.

Seattle’s defense ended up making the statement. They’re still here, they’re still the team to beat in the NFC West and they’re starting to look dangerous again.

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