The Seattle Seahawks will travel to Arizona for Thursday Night’s NFC West Prime Time contest. Both teams are 2-1 and desperately seeking a win to keep pace with the 3-0 San Francisco 49ers. Throw in the fact that the Los Angeles Rams are also 2-1, one can see why both teams are looking at Thursday’s contest as a must-win contest.
CAN THE SEAHAWKS CONTINUE TO ASCEND UP THE DEFENSIVE RANKING CHART?
The Seahawks’ rush defense allows 90 yards per game, which is the seventh-best in the league. The Seahawks’ defense is ranked 14th overall, primarily due to its middle-of-the-road pass defense, which allows 221 yards per game, ranking 20th in the league. The team’s ability to bring pressure with just four players has allowed head coach Mike Macdonald to disguise various looks and fool opposing offenses.
The Seahawks are generating the fourth-best QB pressure rate at 44.3 percent and only blitzing 17.3 percent of the time, which is the second-lowest in the NFL. Seattle’s defense is allowing 15.7 points per game, which is the second-best in the NFL.
PASS TO OPEN UP THE RUN GAME?
Sam Darnold showed his poise in the Seahawks’ win over the Saints with a surgical-like performance. Darnold completed 14 of 18 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The performance was a bounce back from the Steelers game. Darnold completed 22 of 33 passes for 295 yards, was sacked twice, and threw two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Cardinals’ pass defense is allowing 264 yards per game, which is 30th in the 32-team league. The Seahawks might need to use the pass to open up running lanes for a struggling run game.
STOUT CARDINALS DEFENSE
The Cardinals’ defense is allowing 76.3 yards a game, which is fourth-best in the league. The Seahawks offense is averaging 96 yards per game, which is 21st in the league. Ken Walker leagues the Seahawks in rushing with 163 yards and three touchdowns scored. Walker is averaging 4.2 yards a carry. The return of Zach Charbonnet should help the Seahawks’ run game, which will be crucial in keeping the Cardinals’ defense from putting Darnold on his back. The Cardinals’ defense is allowing teams 17 points a game, which is fifth-best in the NFL.
WHAT IMPACT WILL THE RETURN OF DEVON WITHERSPOON AND JULIAN LOVE HAVE?
Devon Witherspoon is cleared to play in Thursday’s game after missing the Seahawks’ last game due to a knee issue. Josh Jobe admirably filled in for Witherspoon. As did Derion Kendrick, who leads the team with two interceptions. The return of Witherspoon will allow Macdonald and Defensive Coordinator Aden Durde to dial up more unique looks to confuse Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray has had a decent start to the season, completing 60 of 89 pass attempts for 542 yards, four touchdowns, and just one interception.
Safety Julian Love will also return to the starting lineup after missing the Saints game due to a hamstring. Ty Okada filled in for Love in the Steelers game. The return of Love and Witherspoon gives a boost to the Seahawks’ pass defense.
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