Success in Seattle

By Peyton Schultze

Russell Wilson and the 3-1 Seahawks face a huge Thursday night test when the Los Angeles Rams head up to CenturyLink Field in Seattle (via USA Today).

The scene is early 2019 at AT&T Stadium, with the Seattle Seahawks trailing the Dallas Cowboys by three with 2:33 left to go. It’s third and 14 for the Cowboys’ offense on the Seahawks’ 17 yard line, with Seattle in desperate need of a defensive stop with only one timeout remaining. Quarterback Dak Prescott takes the shotgun snap for the ‘Boys, and immediately takes it up and through the middle of the Seahawks’ defense to their 1 yard line. On the next very snap following a Seattle timeout, with first and goal to go, Prescott again takes the snap under center and pushes his way into the endzone for a back-breaking Dallas score, pushing the lead to 24-13. That touchdown would all but seal the deal for the Seahawks’ surprising 2018 season, whereas the Cowboys would head into a Divisional Round battle against the Los Angeles Rams.

That was a postseason ago. Now, with the addition of a superstar pass rusher and a new-look offense to feature the talents of their awesome quarterback, Seattle looks poised to take another step this season and get back into postseason play for a revenge tour. Despite not playing an all-around solid game from start to finish so far in 2019, the Seahawks (3-1) are off to the races and ready to go head-to-head with anyone in the NFC.

Over this past weekend, the Seahawks cruised to an easy 27-10 win over Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (via Columbian).

As the Seahawks head back home on Thursday night to face off with the Rams, they’ll do so with high hopes despite having lost three straight to their division rival, dating back to 2017. With a lethargic start by the Rams on both sides of the ball, Seattle will look to steal a win against the reigning NFC champions behind the rowdy “12th Man” in the Pacific Northwest. Even though they surprisingly lost the last time they were at home to the New Orleans Saints, the Seahawks still have a major home field advantage that could cause some major issues for a team that has struggled with inconsistency on offense like the Rams.

Yet, as usual with the Seahawks in the polished Pete Carroll era, it won’t come easy. Luckily for them, Seattle’s major strength comes in their ability to trot out their star quarterback each week in the form of the absurdly-talented Russell Wilson. In 2018, Wilson and the Seahawks’ offense weaved their way into the playoffs as they focused on a very run-centric game that helped control the clock and limit other teams’ ability to put up some huge points. However, Seattle’s offensive scheme has changed a bit early on this season, as Wilson has been utilizing much more of a quick passing game to get the ball into the hands of playmakers such as speedster Tyler Lockett and breakout tight end Will Dissly, in addition to their already dynamic run game.

The Seahawks’ new identity seems to have served them well fresh off a nice 3-1 start, especially with Wilson playing in such an impressive fashion. With 1,141 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and zero turnovers, the star signal caller has put the Seahawks in a position to win each of their games and truly remains one of the top three quarterbacks in the league right now. In addition, Wilson has used much more of his legs once again this season, especially late in games in the 4th quarter, which has defenses concerned once again about the quarterback’s lethal bag of tricks. Outside of hot starts from Lamar Jackson, Dalvin Cook, and Patrick Mahomes, the poised yet smooth quarterback could easily be considered as an early season MVP candidate once again as he looks to get Seattle back to the top of the NFC West.

With arguably the best linebacker in football still roaming in the middle. Seattle’s defense still looks like a capable unit that could shut down some great offenses (via USA Today).

Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ defense looks like a resurgent unit this season after struggling a season ago. With the blockbuster trade acquisition of pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney before the start of the season, the Seahawks made a huge move to bolster their defensive line that sometimes struggled to get after the quarterback last season. With Clowney now in the lineup alongside Ezekiel Ansah and Quinton Jefferson, the Seahawks have somewhat returned to their defensive roots from only a few season ago.

In addition to their solid defensive line, the Seahawks have a decent secondary that was able to cause some major struggles for Kyler Murray in Week 3. Tre Flowers, Shaquil Griffin, and Brad McDougald have all had solid starts to the season and they’ll look forward to a tough matchup against a loaded group of Rams’ receivers with stars such as Cooper Kupp, Brandin Cooks, and Robert Woods. In addition to their nice performances, more help could possibly be on the way if the Seahawks’ front office makes a push for the uber-talented Jalen Ramsey, who has requested a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is a hypothetical thought, but the Seahawks could instantly become favorites in the NFC with the pickup of the league’s best corner, throwing it back to the days of the former Legion of Boom in the Richard Sherman-era of the Seahawks’ defense.

However, what really rounds out this Seahawks defense is the pure football presence of middle linebacker, Bobby Wagner. Wagner is arguably the league’s best, and perhaps the smartest, linebacker in the game who always seems to be on the field making plays for Seattle. The All Pro linebacker has proved himself as a perennial Pro Bowler with his arsenal of elite athleticism and spectacular IQ, both of which have helped Seattle become the unit they are right now. With Mychal Kendricks and KJ Wright alongside the superstar linebacker in the middle, Seattle has had few problems stopping the run early in the season and has one of the better collections of linebackers in the league.

If Russell Wilson keeps playing at his traditionally high level, the sky is the limit for the Seahawks in 2019 (via 12th Man Rising).

The Seahawks may not be the exact same team that they were when they were able to destroy Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII or fall at the hands of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, but they are certainly capable of getting back to the big stage if they keep their early season play up. A lot of this has to do with the consistent health of Wagner and Wilson, two of the best at their position in the National Football League, and the Seahawks need their leadership on and off the field to continue in order to be the best version of themselves.

Per usual, Pete Carroll will likely have the Seahawks prepared for a big time matchup versus a divisional foe on Thursday night, especially after a brutal Rams’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With all eyes on the rookie play of Kyler Murray in Arizona, the surprise start up in San Francisco, and the iffy start to the season for the 2018 NFC champions, Seattle could not only slink their way to the top of the NFC West, but all the way back to the Super Bowl in a wide-open NFC.