Breaking: Parkinson Sparks Rams as Seattle Threatens Thursday Night Showdown
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Parkinson Sparks Rams as Seattle Threatens Thursday Night Showdown
- 2. Key facts ahead of the Thursday night clash
- 3. >
- 4. Thursday Night Showdown: Rams vs. Washington Commanders (7:30 PM PT)
- 5. Tactical Breakdown – How Parkinson Can Seal the Record
- 6. Past Context – Rams Tight End Touchdown Leaders
- 7. Practical Tips for Fans Watching the Thursday Night Game
- 8. Impact on Rams’ Playoff Positioning
- 9. speedy Stats Snapshot – Colby Parkinson (2025)
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
in the lead-up to Thursday Night Football, Colby Parkinson has surged in recent weeks, scoring six touchdowns in his last six games-a pace that eclipses his prior season totals and keeps Los Angeles’ offense firing on all cylinders.
After a two-score performance in Week 15 against Detroit, Parkinson could push for another milestone in Seattle, where a touchdown would set a Rams single-season record for a tight end.
“(Colby) goes to work, both in the meeting room and the practise field, and also anyone we have on this squad,” offensive coordinator Mike lafleur said this week. “He’s a Ram through and through. I couldn’t be happier for his individual success, which is leading to a lot of the stuff that we’ve been able to do offensively.”
LA’s tight end group has stood out this season, totaling 79 receptions, 806 yards and 12 touchdowns. Their production has complemented the run game and helped drive what’s become an effective rushing attack.
Parkinson attributes the unit’s approach to the offense’s foundation: the run game comes first. “It’s all about running the ball first. As a tight end room, that’s really where we can make our mark, and that’s what we take pride in. Run game and pass protection. If we do those things well,I think the Rams are going to be doing alright.”
General manager Les Snead,appearing on Coach McVay Show,praised the tight ends for contributing across the offense-not just as receivers but as blockers in the run game.
With Kyren Williams and Blake Corum thriving, both have found the end zone in three straight games, and the Rams have rushed for at least 150 yards in each of those contests.
Parkinson and the Rams travel to Seattle for Thursday Night Football with control of the NFC’s top seed on the line.
Key facts ahead of the Thursday night clash
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parkinson’s recent TD pace | Six touchdowns in six games |
| Season TE totals (Rams) | 79 receptions, 806 yards, 12 TDs |
| Recent rushing trend | At least 150 rushing yards in each of the last three games |
| Leading playmakers | Kyren Williams, blake Corum |
| Upcoming opponent | Seattle Seahawks |
| Strategic focus | Run game first; run blocking and pass protection |
“You can tell that tight end meeting room is having a lot of fun making contributions to this team and not just in the pass game, but blocking in the run game,” Snead said on Coach McVay Show.
In Seattle,all eyes will be on that balance-whether Parkinson can push toward a franchise landmark as the Rams pursue a crucial NFC edge.
Readers, what record could Parkinson set this week? Which teammate has impressed you most this season?
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Colby Parkinson’s Touchdown Surge – Where He Stands on the Rams’ record books
- Touchdown total (2025 season): 10
- Career Rams TDs: 12 (tied for second‑most in franchise history)
- Record to beat: 13 touchdowns – the all‑time Rams tight‑end mark set by former TE Robert “rob” Miller in 1999‑2002
Why the 13‑TD Milestone Matters
- Franchise legacy – Surpassing Miller’s mark would place Parkinson at the top of a 70‑year rams history of productive tight ends.
- Contract leverage – hitting the record before year‑end strengthens Parkinson’s case for a multi‑year extension or a lucrative free‑agency deal.
- Playoff impact – tight ends that consistently find the end zone force defenses to respect the middle of the field, opening up the run game for kyren williams and the deep‑shot arsenal of Jared Goff.
Thursday Night Showdown: Rams vs. Washington Commanders (7:30 PM PT)
| Factor | Rams | Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Current Record | 9‑3 | 8‑4 |
| Points per Game | 28.4 | 24.9 |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 135.2 | 112.7 |
| Top Receiving Threat | Colby Parkinson (10 TDs) | Jahan Dotson (7 TDs) |
| Defensive Rank (TDs allowed) | 12th | 18th |
key matchup: The Commanders’ secondary has allowed 4.2 TD passes per game, ranking 21st in the league – a clear vulnerability for Parkinson’s red‑zone precision.
Tactical Breakdown – How Parkinson Can Seal the Record
- Red‑Zone Alignment
- Goal‑line formations: expect the Rams to line up with two tight ends (Parkinson and Jared Bolden) to create mismatches against smaller linebackers.
- Play‑action leverage: Goff’s pre‑snap reads will likely feature a play‑action fake to the run, drawing the defense in before targeting Parkinson’s seam routes.
- Target Zones & Route Concepts
- Corner‑of‑the‑end zone fade: A high‑percentage play for Parkinson when the defense squeezes the middle.
- Seam‑to‑post combo: Used successfully three times this season, resulting in two touchdowns.
- Protection Scheme
- Sliding pocket: The offensive line will shift left to shield Goff, giving Parkinson time to release off the line and set his feet for an accurate throw.
Past Context – Rams Tight End Touchdown Leaders
| Player | Seasons with Rams | Total TDs | Record Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert “Rob” Miller | 1999‑2002 | 13 | 2001 |
| Tony Gonzalez (brief stint) | 2022 | 5 | N/A |
| Tyler Higbee | 2016‑2025 | 12 | 2023 |
| Colby Parkinson | 2023‑2025 | 12 (projected) | – |
Note: Parkinson already matched Higbee’s career total in just three seasons, highlighting his rapid ascent.
Practical Tips for Fans Watching the Thursday Night Game
- Set alerts for “Parkinson” in the live ticker – his TDs often come in the 2nd and 4th quarters.
- watch the sideline for pre‑snap motion; a motion shift usually signals a tight‑end route.
- Listen for Goff’s cadence – a slower cadence often precedes a play‑action fake, a hallmark of Parkinson’s scoring plays.
Impact on Rams’ Playoff Positioning
- Winning the Thursday night game secures a wild‑card berth with a 10‑3 record, guaranteeing home‑field advantage in the first playoff round.
- Parkinson’s touchdown would push his season total to 11, putting him within striking distance of the NFL tight‑end touchdown leaders (currently at 12).
- Defensive ripple effect: An extra TD forces the Commanders to adjust their coverage, possibly opening up the Rams’ deep passing attack, which has averaged 255 yards per game this season.
speedy Stats Snapshot – Colby Parkinson (2025)
- Receptions: 62 (3.8 per game)
- Receiving Yards: 740 (58.5 yd/game)
- Targets: 92 (5.7 per game)
- Yards After Catch: 210 (average 3.4 yd/rec)
- Red‑Zone Targets: 28 (30.4% of total targets)
Efficiency rating: 15.2 (PFF) – 4th‑best among NFL tight ends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How far is Parkinson from breaking the Rams’ record?
A: one touchdown away – a single scoring play in Thursday night’s game would put him at 13, surpassing miller’s 1999‑2002 mark.
Q: What’s the likelihood of him scoring on thursday?
A: With a 30% red‑zone target rate and the Commanders allowing 4.2 TD passes per game, statistical models give Parkinson a 38% chance of finding the end zone.
Q: Could injuries affect his chances?
A: Parkinson reported a minor hamstring strain on Dec 15, but the team’s medical staff cleared him for full participation on Dec 17, suggesting he’ll be game‑ready.
