Seattle Seahawks: Week 1 Opponent Preview – Indianapolis
Chris Phillips
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Week 1 for the NFL is just about here! Time to preview the Seattle Seahawks’ first game opponent.
Opening weekend for the NFL is almost here! September 12th, to be exact. The Seattle Seahawks will be taking on the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis. Every 12 around the world will be watching this game. It can be argued that this game is the most interesting of the week. It is one of three matchups between 2020 playoff teams.
When the NFL schedules were first released, this looked like a great game. Now, not so much. Indianapolis has been hit hard with the injury bug. Three Colts starters may not play; QB Carson Wentz, LG Quenton Nelson, and WR T.Y. Hilton. Also, their primary slot receiver Zach Pascal is on the COVID list.
Additionally, free-agent signing LT Eric Fisher, who is working his way back from a torn Achilles, is a question mark. So who Seattle faces in the first week may not be the same Indianapolis team at the end of the year. Not that it matters since the next time Seattle would face Indy is in the Super Bowl.
Defensive Test
As previously mentioned, in MVPositions, Carlos Dunlap could have a field day in the opening week. Most likely, Dunlap will be going up against a backup at Indy’s left tackle. I’m sure Dunlap is licking his chops for game one. The Colts will most likely use their tight end and/or running back to help in blocking Dunlap. He’d be smart to avoid getting pushed inside. There he may go against current Hall of Famer Quenton Nelson.
The other MVPosition that will be tested in Week 1 is corner D.J. Reed. Despite any positive results, it may not be a fair reflection of Reed’s abilities. As previously mentioned, Wentz may be out. If he is a former Washington Husky, Jacob Eason will get the start. Reed will most likely go against Michael Pittman. Maybe not the entire game. Pittman will have the size on Reed.
Depending on how well Eason is slinging it and Pittman’s growth from year 1 to year 2, we may not get an accurate read on Reed. Reed can easily bait Eason into awful throws or be the recipient of a scrambling Eason pass. If Wentz is in the game, that should give a better read on Reed. Along with a better idea on the secondary.
The rest of the defense should be fine. Colts head coach Frank Reich is not a Pete Carroll disciple. However, Reich does like to run the ball. Maybe as much as Carroll. With all the injuries the Colts have sustained. They’re likely to run the ball often and a lot. Bobby Wagner and company will be busy tackling Johnathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines.
Carlos Dunlap, Seattle Seahawks.