Seattle Seahawks Roundtable: Week 3 – Minnesota Vikings
Emerald City, another week of NFL football is upon us. It’s time to bring out our panel of experts to discuss this week’s burning questions for the Seattle Seahawks matchup in week 3.
As another week draws to a close, it’s time again for the Pacific Northwest Sports team of experts to address the burning questions surrounding your Seattle Seahawks. This week it will be Ed Stein and Chris Phillips joining me.
After last week’s crapping of their collective bed, the Seahawks take on the 0-2 Vikings. Minnesota is one or two plays away from being 2-0, so how much of a challenge do they represent? Let’s find out as we answer this week’s questions.
1. What’s up with the Seahawks boom or bust offense?
Ed: The offense is consistently inconsistent for two reasons. First, the offensive line is still average at best. They don’t have enough talent to be good for an entire game, let alone every week. Also, because the top two people Pete Carroll (run) and Russell Wilson (pass), have different philosophies about what should happen on the field.
Chris: It’s two games into the Shane Waldron offensive tenure. You’re trying to lump in all the previous offensive coordinators and then blame Waldron for games worth of work.
Andrew: I don’t think it’s a function of Waldron’s offense so much as it’s an issue with the players. I covered D.K. Metcalf’s struggles earlier this week and the Seattle Seahawks’ commitment to the run game seems to come and go. I think the issue is more in Russ and Co.’s execution more so than anything schematic.
2. Will Dalvin Cook’s injury impact Seattle’s defensive game plan?
Ed: Maybe. It always feels like Minnesota can get a productive back out of thin air to give the Seahawks defense fits.
Chris: Yes, but only if Cook doesn’t play. Otherwise, the Seahawks should plan on Cook playing.
Andrew: It might, but it shouldn’t. Last week Ryan Tannehill quietly threw for over 300 yards. Kirk Cousins is a better passer with arguably better weapons (Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson). The dirty secret from last week’s loss was the pass defense. Without those big chunk plays in the second half, Tennessee may not have had time to tie the game even with Henry running over the defense. My focus, if I’m Ken Norton, is shutting down the pass.