SEAHAWKS OFFENSE LOOKING TO IMPROVE 3rd DOWN EFFICIENCY

The Seahawks offense is in a tailspin and for some, the blame is on quarterback Russell Wilson. When speaking about quarterbacks some say they get too much of the credit while others say they get too much of the blame. What cannot be argued is that the quarterback is the center of attention.  Here is a deeper dive into the Seahawk’s third-down woes.

THIRD DOWN RANKINGS

The Seahawks offense is ranked 8^th  last week’s lackluster offensive performance against the New York Giants. Four weeks into the season the Seahawks offense was ranked # 1.  The decline in offensive production can be directly linked to a lack of execution on third down. The Seahawks offense is ranked 30th on  3rd conversion with a 38.7 average. The offense is facing too many third and long situations. Here is how the team’s 3rd down yardage correlates to the team conversion rate.

 When it’s 3^rd  down and yards needed are  between  1-3 yards the  conversion   rate  is 127%, when its 3^rd  and  yardage needed is  between 4 -6 yard the conversion  rate is 55.% when facing a third-down of seven to nine yards the conversion  rate is a mere  36.8%

FIRST AND SECOND  DOWN MATTERS

In the first 8 games, the Seahawks averaged 6.9 yards per play with a first down conversation rate of 34.5% to lead the league in both categories. In games, 9 through12, yards gained per play dipped to 4.9 yards per play (13^th)  and the first down rate dipped to 27.2% percent and for a league ranking of 27^th.

An effective ground game led by Chris Carson meant defensives had to honor the play action by having the linebackers play further from the line of scrimmage and honor the pass . This enabled  Russell Wilson time to look downfield and cook. Once Carson went down in the October 25 Arizona game the offense was averaging less than 5 yards per play on first and second down.

INJURIES TAKING TOLL

 The loss of Ethan Pocic at center for the  LA Rams and Arizona games hampered the offensive rhythm. Kyle Fuller stepped in, but things got downright ugly when  Fuller suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by guard Damien Lewis who had been the starting right guard.  It was the first time Lewis played center in the pros in the second Arizona game. The Seahawks won the game, but the offense was struggling in pass protection and the run game. 

LACK O F CONTINUITY

Carlos Hyde’s return gave some relief to Wilson who was sacked three times in the game. Pocic’s return to the center position brought some stability to the offensive line but was short-lived. Ten game starter Brandon  Shell suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Cedric Ogbuehi in the Philadelphia game which saw the return of a limited Chris Carson. Ogbuehi’s stint tackled lasted one game due to a foot injury during the ramp-up to the Giants game.  Jamarco Jones stepped in two days before the Giants game.