NFC West.(NFL: second half preview)

ST. LOUIS RAMS

HALFTIME ADJUTMENTS: Even with young Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis getting healthier, look for the team to continue to rely heavily on Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. The Rams aren't spreading the ball around as much as in past seasons, but Holt and Bruce have been up to the task. Defenses haven't been able to shut either down.... One change in the passing game has been the gradual increase in the role of the tight ends, and expect that to continua. TE/FB Brandon Manumaleuna and TE Cam Clemland combined for five catches for 86 yards Sunday. Almost by default, Manumaleuna has settled ha at fullback, but look for a return to more two-back sets once RB Marshall Faulk returns (he's expected back Sunday in San Francisco). Faulk, Lamar Gordon and Arlen Harris should provide flexibility in the backfield.... Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith has shown a willingness to stray from his base cover-2 scheme from time to time, blitzing heavily in a couple of games. Look for this to continue, particularly once SS Adam Archuleta returns from a sprained ankle. He's one of the team's best blitzers.

SECOND HALF BREAKOUT PLAYER: Aeneas Williams is looking more comfortable at free safety and should have a productive second half. With FS Jason Sehorn and CB James Whitley back from injuries, look for Williams to match up against the slot receiver in the nickel package. He can continue to develop at safety in the base defense while flashing his coverage skills as a cornerback when he moves up to the line of scrimmage.

WHAt'S NEXT: Six of the final nine games are against teams that currently have a losing record, so look for the Rams to make a run to the playoffs. If the team shows it can win regularly on the road, it will develop into a Super Bowl contender once again.--Jim Thomas

 
MIDSEASON GRADES 
 
QUARTERBACKS      B+ 
RUNNING BACKS     C+ 
RECEIVERS         A- 
OFFENSIVE LINE    B 
DEFENSIVE LINE    B 
LINEBACKERS       B 
SECONDARY         B- 
SPECIAL TEAMS     D 
COACHING          B+ 
 
OVERALL GRADE     B 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS: The team must find a way to harvest victories while the harvesting is good. Between now and December 7 at Minnesota, only one opponent (Baltimore) has a winning record. The team must develop a knockout mentality--and do it quickly. Since opening with successive wins over the Saints and Cardinals by a combined score of 65-10, the Seahawks have either played down to their opposition or gone soft when they take a lead--or both. The biggest problem is the inconsistent offense. It's a lot of little things--dropped passes, missed blocks, halls thrown behind receivers, penalties.... The defense has done a much better job of applying pressure on quarterbacks and getting off the field on third downs. But it has lacked consistency, too. Improvement should continue as some players--particularly OLB Chad Brown (foot) and CBs Kan Lucas (ankle) and Shawn Springs (shoulder)--get healthier and the defenders get more comfortable with coordinator Ray Rhodes.