An inspired defensive effort guided the Seattle Seahawks to a decisive 30-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Monday that continued their strong second half to the NFL season.
Seattle (6-7) stifled the Rams' struggling offense from the outset and never trailed as they have reversed their early-season troubles and won for the fourth time in five games.
"This is what we live for, what we enjoy," Seattle's Doug Baldwin told reporters after catching a touchdown pass and blocking a punt in the victory. "With Marshawn (Lynch) running the ball like he does - this is fun."
Baldwin's blocked punt was returned by Michael Robinson 17 yards for a touchdown then kicker Steven Hauschka added the first of his three field goals to give the home team a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
Baldwin caught a 29-yard pass from Tarvaris Jackson to build a 20-6 lead in the third quarter before Marshawn Lynch capped the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 16-yard TD run.
Lynch finished with 115 yards on the ground for his third successive 100-yard game.
Baldwin's emergence has helped fuel Seattle's recent run.
"We just expect that out of him now," Jackson said of Baldwin. "We expect him to go out and make plays every week."
Sam Bradford returned at quarterback for St. Louis (2-11), after missing a game with an ankle injury, but he completed just 12 of 29 passes for no touchdowns and one interception.
Steven Jackson added a one-yard TD for the Rams in the fourth quarter before Lynch sealed the win.
sports@thenational.ae
