Danny Amendola leads the Rams with 25 catches for 296 yards. (AP Images)

Seahawks at Rams -- Week 4

Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis (FieldTurf, indoors)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: Seattle by 2.5

2012 records – Seahawks (Overall: 2-1, NFC West 0-1); Rams (Overall: 1-2, NFC West: 0-0)

Past results: Two most recent meetings – Dec. 12, 2011: Seahawks 30, Rams 13; Nov. 20, 2011: Seahawks 24, Rams 7. Series record: Seahawks hold an 18-10 edge and have won 13 of the last 14 meetings.

What matters: The Rams must protect Sam Bradford, who got hurried, hit or sacked 26 times last week in Chicago. Seattle sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times in the first half Monday. With left tackle Wayne Hunter battling a twisted knee, St. Louis could be forced to keep in extra blockers against end Chris Clemons. Bradford didn’t have time to set his feet against the Bears. How comfortable he is in the pocket Sunday will go a long way toward determining the outcome.

Who matters: Steven Jackson (strained groin) was held out of practice again Thursday, but is expected to start. He gained just 29 yards on 11 carries last week. If Jackson can’t go or is ineffective, rookie Daryl Richardson will be asked to move the chains against a Seahawks defense allowing 58.7 rushing yards per game, second-fewest in the NFL. Richardson, who showed more burst than Jackson against the Bears, averages 5.7 yards per carry.

Key matchups: Marshawn Lynch is averaging 102 rushing yards. He’ll test the middle of the Rams’ front, which has been soft without rookie DT Michael Brockers (6-5, 322). The 14th overall pick says “there’s a pretty good chance” he’ll return Sunday from his high ankle sprain, but even if he does he doesn’t figure to play a lot of snaps. Kendall Langford, Jermelle Cudjo and Kellen Heard must be strong at the point of attack, and ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn have to think run first.

Injuries of note: Brockers practiced this week and said his ankle is holding up. But coach Jeff Fisher might play it safe and keep him out until next Thursday’s game against Arizona. Hunter is fully expected to start despite being limited in practice with a twisted knee. Jackson is being rested so he can be as close to 100 percent as possible for Sunday. Safety Matt Daniels (hamstring) and defensive tackle Matt Conrath (knee) didn’t practice Thursday.

Inside stuff: Among 4-3 defensive ends, Long is tied for the NFL lead with 13 QB hurries. He also has two sacks and three QB hits.…Bradford has been pressured on 39.6 percent of his dropbacks, the sixth-highest rate in the league….WR Danny Amendola has 124 yards after the catch, sixth-most in the NFL.

Stats you should know: Jackson is averaging 3.4 yards per carry; Seattle allows 3.1 yards per carry…Greg Zuerlein has made all eight of his field-goal tries. He hit a 56-yarder against the Bears, one shy of the Rams’ record 57-yarder hit by Jeff Wilkins in 1997….Seattle is giving up a league-low 13.0 points per game. In the last two weeks, the Seahawks have held the Cowboys and Packers to one touchdown apiece...Rams CB Cortland Finnegan has an interception in every game this season.

Looking ahead: The Rams have a quick turnaround, hosting undefeated Arizona on Thursday. Then they visit Miami before a brutal back-to-back against Green Bay and New England, the latter of which played in London.

Prediction: Rams 20, Seahawks 17

Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSSportsNFLSTL.