Only a naïve fan would have thought that the Seahawks’ Week 1 test against the Rams in St. Louis was going to be easy. In recent years the Rams have given Seattle fits in the Edward Jones Dome and 2015 was no different. 

This year’s Rams are a dark horse pick in some circles for the NFC West title behind an elite defensive line and their new quarterback Nick Foles, he who two seasons ago threw 27 touchdowns versus only 2 interceptions. And yesterday whoever sits in those circles were feeling pretty good about their pick.

Of course the Rams being the victors should feel good about their win, not just because its against their division rival and the two-time defending conference champions, but how they won. Not many teams can pull out a W against Seattle’s legendary defense especially when the Hawks put up 31 points. Nor do many quarterbacks torch the Legion of Boom for nearly 300 yards in the air.

Now we can’t mention the Legion of Boom without pointing out – in case you just came back from the dead – Kam Chancellor wasn’t on the field against St. Louis. What’s even worse, Chancellor’s replacement Dion Bailey got burned for the touchdown that allowed the Rams to tie and force overtime.

When things go wrong early in the season the mantra is always that, that it’s early. But in the NFL you’re only given 16 games, making early become too late in a hurry and this one game could be the difference between home field in the playoffs or playing at a frigid Lambeau Field. Or even worse, watching the playoffs on the couch, evidently where Chancellor is choosing to watch the regular season from.

Many are wondering how Sunday’s game would have turned out had Kam been there, and if the Hawks aren’t where they want to be if and when he returns the undisputed locker room leader could become a locker room villain.

Therefore Chancellor and his agent may have seen their leverage rise after the season opener, but for his sake he should hope his equity in the locker room hasn’t fallen as a result.