After a disappointing home loss to open the 2023 season the Seattle Seahawks will be in Detroit Sunday looking to make amends and get their season back on track. The loss to the Rams was so debilitating that Team Captain Bobby Wagner spoke to the team before practice Wednesday afternoon.
“It was about as well captured of a moment as you could get. He did exactly what was necessary at the time and they responded to the letter what he was calling on.” Head coach Pete Carroll said after the team’final practice on Friday . “ We had a really good Wednesday, and the week has followed in fashion that we are accustomed to; guys really working hard, working together, focused and concentrated on getting the gameplan in order. He did a great job.”
What is left to be seen is what impact Wagner’s speech had on the Seahawks. Sunday’s game will mark the third consecutive season the Seahawks and Lions have played each. The Seahawks have won the last three games including last season’s 48-45 win in Detroit.
SEAHAWKS MISSING TWO STARTING TACKLES
The Seahawks will step into hostile Ford Field without their starting two tackles. Left tackle Charles Cross has an issue with this big toe and will be replaced by Stone Forsythe. Right tackle Abe Lucas was placed on the injured reserve list this week due to a nagging knee issue and will undergo an operation. Jake Curhan will replace Lucas. Both Lucas and Forsythe were second-half replacements for Lucas and Cross. Curhan will have his hands full protecting Geno Smith from the Lion’s Aidan Hutchinson the Lion’s second overall pick in the 2022 draft. Hutchinson had three quarterback hits against the Chiefs Patrick Homes last Sunday in the Lions 21-20 upset of the Chiefs in Arrowhead.
CAN THE SEAHAWKS ESTABLISH A RUN GAME?
If the Seahawks are to have any luck keeping Geno Smith upright they will need to establish a running game that will open up the pass game using play-action.
Ken Walker III had nine carries for 53 yards in the first half against the Rams. Walker III managed just 11 second-half yards on three carries. That will not do against a Lions defense that held the Chiefs to just 90 rushing yards. In addition to Hutchinson, the Lions will send DE Charles Harris and LB James Houston after Smith.
WHAT IMPACT WILL DEVON WITHERSPOON
The Seahawks played nickel and dime packages against the Rams. They got burned by Rams quarterback Mathew Stafford who had a field day playing pitch and toss with wide receivers Puka Nacua ( 10 rec 119 yards ) and Tutu Atwell (8 rec 119 yards) . The Lion’s wide receiving corps is more talented and led by Amon-Ra St. Brown who had 71 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. Marvin Jones ( 2 rec 8 yards) and Josh Reynolds ( 4 rec 80 yards) are the perfect complement to Brown. In last season’s game Reynolds had seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie DB Devon Witherspoon the Seahawk’s 5th-round pick overall in the 2022 draft will make his regular-season debut Sunday. Witherspoon has been hampered by a hamstring issue. Fully healthy the Seahawks are hoping he can add to a talented but young defensive cornerback unit led by Riq Woolen, Michael Jackson, Tre Brown, and Coby Bryant. Pro Bowler FS Quandre Diggs is the quarterback of the secondary with SS Julian Love. playing debutant.
BIG TAKE
The Seahawk’s defensive interior seven was dismal against the Rams. Uchenna Nwosu ( 2) and Boye Maye ( 1) Wagner and Jordy Brooks ( 1) were the only players to record tackles for loss against the Rams. Mafe will be a game-time decision due to a knee issue. Nwosu will need help from Darrell Taylor, Dre’ Mont Jones, and Jarran Reed in applying pressure to Jarred Goff. If the interior seven can make comfortable the Seahawks have a chance to win the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
| 2023 REGULAR SEASON | SEAHAWKS | LIONS |
| Record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Total Yard Gained | 180 | 368 |
| Total Offense ( NFL Rank) | 180.0 ( 30) | 368.0 ( 7) |
| Rush Offense | 85.0 (22) | 118.0 ( 9) |
| Pass offense | 95.0 (29) | 250.0 (6) |
| Points Per Game | 13.0 ( 27) | 21.0 ( T13) |
| Total Yards Allowed | 426 | 316 |
| Total Defense | 426.0 (30) | 316 ( 21) |
| Rush Defense | 92.0 (T13) | 90.(12) |
| Pass Defense | 334.0 (310 | 226.0 (24) |
| Points Allowed/ Game | 30.0 ( T26) | 20.0 ( T14) |
| Possession Avg. | 20:37 | 32:38 |
| Sacked/Yds.Lost | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Interceptions By | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties/Yds | 7/55 | 4/63 |
| Punts/Avg | 4/59.0 | 5/44.4 |
| Turnover Differential | 0 ( T15) | 0 ( T15) |
TEAM LEADERS
2023 STAT LEADERS
| Seahawks | LIONS | |
| Rushing | Kenneth Walker III 64 (12-5.4 3-0) | David Montgomery 74 ( 21-3.5-1) |
| Passing | Geno Smith 112(26-16-1-0-84.1) | Jared Goff 253(35-22-1- 94.1) |
| Receptions | Kenneth Walker III 4 (3.0 8-0) | Amon- Ra St. Brown 6 (71-11.8-1) |
| Scoring (Non kicker) | DK Metcalf 6 | Three tired 6 |
| Sacks | N/A | Brian Branch 2 |
| Int | N/A | N/A |
| Punting | Michael Dickson 59.0/47.3 net (0-20) | Jack Fox 44.4/41.2 net ( 3 In 20) |
| Kicking | Jason Myers 7 (2/3 FG 1/1 PAT) | Riley Patterson 3 (0/0 FG, 3/3) |
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