Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks and Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings.
Some may have seen last week’s loss coming for the Seattle Seahawks. Others may not have at all. This week though, could be just as ugly as last week’s matchup. The Seahawks take on division rival San Francisco. Both teams are at the bottom of the NFC West standings.
The Seahawks being in last place. After last week’s performance, many have started to wonder if Seattle will get out of the basement. But, that is a topic for another day. The topic for today is what to expect for the upcoming game. Time to dive into the Week 4 matchup.
I want to leave this section blank to illustrate how “good” this unit has been. A no-show. A zero. The Seattle Seahawks are last in yards allowed; 1,321 (440.3 YDS/G). They rank 25th in passing yards allowed; 856 (285.3 YDS/G). Seattle is 30th ins rushing yards allowed; 465 (155 YDS/G). And finally 21st in points allowed; 79 (26.3 PTS/G). This is far from the days of the Legion of Boom.
Last week Minnesota’s receivers carved up the secondary. Players have come out and blamed the coaches. They’re at fault as well as they have not been good themselves. This week the secondary will need to play much better. San Francisco employs many players who are yards after the catch monsters; tight end George Kittle, wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Add in the fact that San Fran’s head coach Kyle Shanahan is a brilliant play designer and schemer.
This defense can bank on several plays drawn up to get the ball in the hands of Samuel, Aiyuk, and Kittle to run free after the catch. This defensive unit will need to have excellent communication. Seattle should be very prepared and knowledgeable on San Francisco’s offense as they play each other twice a year.
Next: Page 2 – Offense
Remember last year when the Seattle Seahawks were carving up the league under Brian Schottenheimer’s offense at the beginning of the year? Then the offense fell off towards the end of the year as defenses and teams adjusted. When Shane Waldron has said, “Hold my beer.” This offense has been lights out in the first half of games. Then it just disappeared in the second half. For example, Seattle has scored 62 points in the first half (20.7 PTS/half). In the second half, 13 (4.3 PTS/half). This is through the first three games.
In the Legion of Boom years, that could work because the defense was so lights out. They could be asked to choke out an opponent in the second half. This team’s defense cannot and should not be counted on to do the same. Bringing in Waldron is all about smoothing out the offensive inconsistencies from a year ago. So far, he’s only exacerbated them.
NFL teams make adjustments at halftime. That is most likely what opposing defenses are doing to Russell Wilson and company. This is to be expected. However, what you can also expect is the offense making adjustments to the opponents’ adjustments. It’s a game of adjustments. This game looks like it could be a shoot-out. If that’s the case, the offense needs to score more than four points in the second half of games. This week might be a good time to feature Chris Carson and the run game more.
Next: Page 3 – Prediction Time
Last week saw me come so close to nailing all of my predictions (scroll to the end). Predicting both Carson to rush for more than 70-yards accurately. Predicting D.K. Metcalf to go over 100-yards receiving accurately. Even almost getting the final score correct. Missing by one point. And the incorrect winner. Still, that is really close for this amateur Nostradamus. This week’s predictions, besides the final score and winner, is Seattle’s offense scoring two touchdowns in the second half of the game. And the Seattle Seahawks defense getting their first interception of the year. Jimmy G averages 3.375 interceptions a year for his career.
Typically a glass half full guy over here. This week is really challenging to see the Seattle Seahawks ending their two-game losing streak. The defense has just been atrocious all year. While San Francisco’s quarterback Jimmy Garappolo is not that great. The lack of a Seattle pass rush may give him enough time to be able to get the ball in his playmakers’ hands.
Add in the fact that Shanahan’s offenses can make anyone lined up at running back look like a Hall of Fame player, and the Seattle rush defense is bad. This game has all the ingredients for disaster. A theory I have is the team with the better QB ends up winning a majority of the time. While that hasn’t been the case the last two weeks, I think this week it comes to fruition. Seattle with the 24-23 victory over San Francisco.