Ernest Jones IV Leads Seahawks Defense Against Former Team

Ernest Jones IV, once a cornerstone of the Rams defense, gets his revenge tonight at Lumen Field against the team that traded him away. Jones played six games for Tennessee in 2024 before the Seahawks acquired him last year, and he has flourished in Seattle’s defensive system ever since.The 26-year-old linebacker stands 6-foot-2 and tips the scales at 230 pounds, giving him the ideal frame for both tackling and ball-hawking coverage. His emergence as one of the NFL’s premier defensive players this season makes him the most critical piece of Seattle’s defense against a Rams offense that relies heavily on Matthew Stafford’s arm.Jones has nearly doubled his career interception total in just one season, demonstrating how Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme has unlocked his full potential. Against the Rams, he will once again be asked to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers.

Playoff Seeding Stakes Reach Critical Point

The NFC playoff picture remains remarkably tight heading into this showdown. Both Los Angeles and Seattle currently hold 11-3 records, with the Rams occupying the No. 1 seed entering the game due to superior strength of schedule and head-to-head advantage.A Seahawks victory would give them control of the division with two games remaining. A Rams win extends their separation at the top of the NFC West. The loser doesn’t fall far, but gains precious little ground in the race for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.For Seattle fans, tonight represents their best opportunity to seize momentum heading into December’s final stretch. The Rams, meanwhile, aim to prove they belong atop the conference standings.

Team	Record	Seed Position
Los Angeles Rams	11-3	No. 1 (NFC)
Seattle Seahawks	11-3	No. 2 (NFC West)

Jones’ Career-Defining Season Could Define Tonight’s Outcome

Ernest Jones IV has transformed himself this season into a Pro Bowl-caliber defender with five interceptions through 10 games. In his first four seasons in the NFL with the Rams and then Titans, he recorded just four total interceptions combined.The defensive turnaround represents more than statistical achievement. When Seattle’s defense needed orchestration and ball-hawking ability, Jones delivered in remarkable fashion. He notched a pick-six against the Vikings and recorded 12 tackles with two interceptions against Indianapolis.Ernest Jones IV averaged 8.5 tackles per game this season, establishing himself as the Seahawks’ defensive heartbeat. Against a Rams squad he once patrolled for multiple seasons, expect Stafford to work away from his positioning whenever possible.

Key Matchup: Jones Versus Rams’ Offensive Attack

The Rams offense enters tonight as one of football’s most explosive units, with Matthew Stafford leading the charge. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp give Los Angeles weapons that few defenses can completely eliminate.Ernest Jones IV must navigate the middle of the field while fellow Seahawks linebackers maintain their run-stopping discipline. The Rams averaged six tackles from Jones in their previous Week 11 matchup, though he played below his season average that night.Tonight’s rematch offers Jones a chance to exceed that production and prove he has become the defensive force that Seattle envisioned when they pursued the trade. Every coverage read, every blitz call, and every tackle will matter in an overtime contest.

 

Will Ernest Jones IV and the Seahawks Take Control of the NFC West?

This question will define the 2025 playoff landscape. Seattle’s defense, anchored by Jones, holds a legitimate chance to shut down Los Angeles’s explosive offense and claim division supremacy. Yet the Rams, possessing championship experience and Stafford’s talent, refuse to concede anything.The game goes beyond individual matchups or seeding implications. It represents a statement about which organization has built the more complete roster. Seahawks fans point to Ernest Jones IV’s transformation and improved secondary play. Rams devotees counter with Stafford’s consistency and a defense rapidly improving as the season progresses.What happens tonight in overtime could reshape the entire NFC playoff bracket and determine whether Ernest Jones IV leads his team to the No. 1 seed or watches the Rams pull away. The answer arrives in real time on Thursday Night Football.

Sources

• NFL – Official league standings and playoff picture information
• ESPN – Game analysis, player statistics, and NFC playoff scenarios
• Yahoo Sports – Live score updates and offensive injury reports