Before the week began Seahawk’s head coach Pete Carroll was quoted saying that he would treat the trip to Munich as a Bowl Game . For those keeping count at home Carroll’s Bowl record was 6-3 at USC. Point is that the Hawks head man has history in balancing a business with some fun. Fridays open practice at FC Bayern Munich’s practice pitch had the Seahawks warm up with a soccer drill with the Bayern Munich players. With blaring music that filled the air in the background the Hawks were all fun and games until the horn blew to start practice.
When the horn sounded games were dropped for the business at hand. The players were given Saturday off for some personal prep time. A trip to the Bucs practice facility at Bayern’s youth academy field was a complete contrast in atmosphere. The Bucanners were all business. The Buccaneers arrived Friday morning and headed straight to practice. It will be interesting to see on Sunday if either strategy gives any one specific team an edge.
CAN THE SEAHAWK OFFENSIVE LINE HOLD TRUE
The Seahawks offensive line wil face it’s toughest test Sunday with the Buccaneers Vita Vea. The former Husky standout has a team high and league second 6.5 sacks. Center Austin Blythe is completely healthy after leaving the Giants game due to a knee injury and made his scheduled start against the Cardinals . Blythe’s leadership and communication with Geno Smith has enhanced the growth of rookie tackles Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross. That cohesion and communication will need to be at it’s optitimum against Vea.
“He does a great job of using his hands to push the pocket. For such a big guy, he can redirect. Really, their interior push in general and then you add the backers as great blitzers as well, they generate a lot of interior pocket chaos.”
THIRD DOWN SUCCESS
The Seahawks were ended last game against the Cardinals with a 10/15 third down average. At one point in the game the Seahawks converted eight in a row. If the Seahawks are able to to come close to that number they will be in a position to hold on to the ball and keep out from Tom Brady’s hands.
To keep the ball away from Brady the Seahawks will need to stay away from third and long.
“ We have to be intentional on first, and second down so we stay away from third and long. It is a mind set and all about execution, “Wide receiver DK Metcalf said after the teams practice on Friday afternoon.
CAN UCHENNA NWOSU CONTINUE TO WRECK HAVOC ?
Hawks edge rushed Uchenna Nwosu has been a difference make for the Seahawks with his ability to pu pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Nwosu leads the Seahawks with seven sacks. The success of Nwosu can be attributed to the pressure interior D lineman Poona Ford, Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods are creating. Their ability to clog the middle has enabled Nwosu and now Bruce Irvin who had his first sacks in the Cardinals game last week since re-sighting with Seahawks to choose their point of attack and change pre snap if they sense a weakness .
X FACTORS
Both teams are stepping into Sunday’s game with the reward of a bye week looming after the contest. A win by the Seahawks would put them at 7-3 and usage of the post season vernacular would begin not as a dream but a reality. A win by the Bucks would even their season record to 5-5 and like the Seahawks would be looking at a realistic post season run. Both teams go into Sunday as division leaders and that has more to do with being in weak division’s.
The winner of Sunday’s contest will create some separation and build momentum. Brady will be up for the challenge and ready to seize the moment. The Seahawks will need to everyone to play good sound fundamental football . While no one has to play out of their minds no one player can afford to have a bad game.
