Seattle Seahawks: Week 1 Opponent Preview – Indianapolis
Proof in the Pudding
Consequently, the Seattle Seahawks face a strong test offensively. Former San Francisco DeForest Buckner is the main consistent guy supplying the pressure and stuffing the run. Make no mistake, Buckner is the second-best defensive tackle in the game. If you must ask who’s number one, I counter with, how well do you know football? Russell Wilson will get an early indication on whether the offensive line changes are upgrades or status quo.
Chris Carson won’t have an easy time running on this Indy defense. Besides Buckner, the Colts have two fast, rangy linebackers in Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke. Moreover, both are very good tacklers too. For fantasy players, take the under on whatever Carson’s projected fantasy points are. Maybe he can get a touchdown to help, but I’m not expecting a big game from him in week one, which is fine.
Cooking in the Kitchen
If Carson can make it easier on Wilson and the passing game, Carson’s big games will come later. Speaking of the passing game. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett should do alright. Xavier Rhodes is a physical corner; however, I don’t think he can hang with Metcalf’s speed. Then again, not many corners in the league can hang with Metcalf.
On the other hand, Rhodes might match up with Lockett more often. The other corners the Colts have mostly fall into the category of not being good matchups against Metcalf. So you can expect bracket coverage on Metcalf. That will leave Lockett and Gerald Everett to feast on positive matchups. Everett may also get off to a slow start on the year because of the opponent’s linebacking corps and safeties.
The one player all Seattle Seahawks wide receivers are wanting to face is Rock Ya-Sin. Or Rock Ya-Grab as he’s been nicknamed. He’s a physical corner who doesn’t have the foot speed to catch up once he’s beat. So, as his nickname suggests, he grabs. Thus, earning lots of holding penalties.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks.