Seattle Seahawks: Week 3 Opponent Preview – Minnesota

Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks are looking to bounce back from last week’s loss. This time they face yet another team with a talented power running back, the Minnesota Vikings.

The Seattle Seahawks are out to rebound from their devastating collapse against Tennessee last Sunday. It won’t be easy. They face another power running back on yet ANOTHER team that runs the ball frequently. Conversely, Minnesota’s offense is a nice blend of Seattle’s first two opponents.

They don’t run it as much as Tennessee, but they want to utilize high percentage passes like Indianapolis. Also, Minnesota’s top running back, Dalvin Cook, is a much more versatile offensive weapon than either Derrick Henry or Johnathan Taylor.  Let’s dive into the purple people eaters.

Defensive Test

The Seattle Seahawks is just about through their early-season schedule stretch of facing teams that use run-first offenses. This week’s matchup may offer the most challenging test. While some might say last week’s matchup against Henry is the toughest, this week is against a more versatile back. Those who play fantasy football know how dynamic Cook is.

Totaling over 3,500 the past two seasons, Cook is one of the few remaining workhorse backs. He gets all of the carries in Minnesota’s offense, and they also count on him in the passing game. Speaking of the passing game, Minnesota rolls out a dynamic duo of their own, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Jefferson burst onto the scene last year as a rookie and right into the conversation as the number one wide receiver on the roster.

Both receivers are talented route runners and red zone threats. Jefferson is their big-play guy. However, don’t sleep on the veteran Thielen. He’s not as explosive as Jefferson, but he can still burn a secondary if they sleep on him. This week will be another good test for the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive backs. They must do better this week than they did last week against Julio Jones.

Offense

This week should be the easiest defense the Seattle Seahawks face in a while. Minnesota gives up an average of 420-yards and 30.5 points a game. For comparison, the Seahawks are giving up on average 434-yards and 24.5 points a game. Might this be another situation with the team that has the ball last wins?

If it is, I truly hope that head coach Pete Carroll makes sure Russell Wilson has the ball last. Seattle does not have the Legion of Boom or even close to that kind of talent on defense. This team needs to embrace a Peyton Manning type of mindset for close games late. Put the ball in your elite QB’s hands.

Wilson should have another good day in the kitchen. Minnesota gives up almost 300-yards passing a game (294). Meanwhile, this might be the week where Chris Carson goes off against a defense that yields 126-yards rushing each week. If Carson can run wild, this should help, make Wilson even more efficient on offense while also making Carroll happy.

Bottom Line

If those points’ averages hold, then this game may be another close one. However, I’m not buying it. Here are some bold predictions. This week the Seattle Seahawks welcome back “MIA” offensive weapons wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. This is a defense Seattle’s speedster can exploit.

A Carson surge is also on the table. To date, he’s averaging 74-yards from scrimmage (61 rushing and 13 receiving). Metcalf shines the bright on Sunday, and Carson runs for over 70-yards. The Seahawks roll to a 30-16 victory and get back in the win column.

What are your thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks’ upcoming game?

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