Two days before the Seahawks were to take on the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field, Mike Macdonald was asked how his team handled the adversity of not having power leading up to the game.
‘Hey, it’s another thing we could go through, not around, and onward we go.’ So, there is another story to tell at the end of the journey. It’d be fun,”was MacDonald’s answer.
Four snaps into the Cardinal’s game, right guard Anthony Bradford suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Christian Haynes. Bradford was placed on injured reserve.
MORE CHANGES
On Wednesday, the Seahawks placed Bradford on injured reserve, and Macdonald declared an open competition at right guard between Haynes and Sataoa Laumea. On Friday Macdonald announced that Laumea would start at right guard against the New York Jets at Met Life Stadium.
“Both these guys deserve a lot of credit. I mean, they practiced their tails off this week. The plan is we’re going to start Sataoa (Laumea) at guard, and he’s just done a tremendous job,” said Macdonald.
The Seahawk’s offensive line play has been below standard all season.
Quarterback Geno Smith was sacked five times in the Cardinals games, bringing his season total to 37. Despite the high sack numbers, the Hawks passing game is ranked no.2. The run game is ranked 28th overall, averaging 89.1 yards per game. Laumea will be stepping into the fire against a Jets defense that is ranked 8th overall but 22nd against the run.
A NEEDED QUICK START
The offense received some excellent news on Friday when the team announced DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett would play on Sunday after missing the first two days of practice. Macdonald announced that Metcalf was good to go and that Lockett was nursing bumps and bruises but nothing that would hinder his performance.
“I wouldn’t call it hurt. It’s just that time of year. Guys are battling, nobody feels one-hundred percent out there. But yeah, he’s a tough son of a gun ,”said Macdonald
The offense has been seeking a fast start to avoid playing from a deficit and abandoning the run game all season. If the Seahawks offense can score early and establish a run game, the defense can go after Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is accurate but lacks mobility in the pocket.
ANOTHER CONSISTENT EFFORT BY THE DEFENSE
The Seahawk’s defense played with energy, determination, and reckless abandon. Leonard Williams was unstoppable in the Cardinals game with 2.5 sacks, three tackles for a loss, and four quarterback hits. Cornerback Coby Bryant had a 69-yard pick-six. The defense had five sacks, seven quarterback hits, and five tackles for losses. Rodgers has been sacked 26 times and thrown just seven interceptions. If the Seahawks’ interior seven can stop the Jet’s run game, apply pressure, and make the Jets one-dimensional, it could be a long day for Rodgers.
MATCHUPS
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