By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Three questions going into Seahawks vs Rams Prime Time matchup

CAN JOSH JONES GET THE JOB DONE?

Starting left tackle Charles Cross suffered a hamstring on the last play of the Seahawks’ win over the Indianapolis Colts. A first-round draft pick, ninth overall in the 2022 draft, Cross has missed just four starts.  That number is about to change.  Cross has not practiced all week and will be replaced by Josh  Jones, who is in his sixth year in the NFL and first with the Seahawks. Jones was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 3rd round (72nd overall) of the 2020 draft and spent three years with the Cardinals.

 His best year was his second, when he started 12 games. In 2023, Jones appeared in 13 games with the Texans with three starts. Before signing with the Seahawks this offseason, Jones spent last year with the Ravens and saw action in all 16 games, mostly on special teams and a few games on offense. There was no hesitation from head coach Mike Macdonald when asked if Jones is capable of stepping in for Cross.

“ He got most of those opportunities in preseason, and he did a great job filling in for Charles (Cross) when he was going through his training camp stuff. Just like everything else, we’ve had guys that have had opportunities throughout the season, and this is no different,” said Macdonald. “ He’s got a great opportunity. He’s prepared. Go out there and play your tail off, let’s go roll.”

CAN THE SEAHAWKS ESTABLISH A RUN GAME?

The last time the two teams met in week 12, the Seahawks rushed for 135 yards on 35 rushing attempts, which is the third highest this season. In their next three games, the Seahawks rushed for over 100 yards: 114 at Tennessee, 125 at Minnesota, and 129 at Atlanta. The 100-yard streak came to an abrupt end last week when the Seahawks rushed for a season low of 50 yards. When asked about the lack of a run game against the Colts, Macdonald pulled no punches.

“We didn’t run it the way we wanted to. It’s kind of a little bit of everything right now; it’s a little bit late in the year to be saying that. So, I think we’ve got to pick it up. Really on all fronts, said Macdonald.

 The Rams’ defense is ranked 13th overall and 9th against the run.  The Seahawks offense is ranked 22nd, averaging 113 yards per game. A better route for the Seahawks might be to use the passing game, that is, short intermediate routes to soften the Rams’ pass defense, which is ranked 19th overall and gives up 219 yards per game.

CAN DEFENSE CONTINUE ITS DOMINANCE

The Seahawks defense is ranked fourth overall,  third against the run, and seventh against the pass. In the last three games, the Seahawks’ defense has helped opponents score under 17 points per game, but has just two sacks in that span. To beat a Mathew Stafford-led offense that is ranked second overall, the Seahawks will need to hunt and hound Stafford. In the last meeting in SoFi Stadium, Stafford was clinical. Completing 15 of 28 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford was able to avoid the Seahawks’ pass rush, which did not record a single sack.

Jarren Reed and Julian Love missed the game due to injuries and have since returned to the Seattle lineup.  Reed’s return will help the D-line rotation, which needs to have its best game of the season. Leonard Williams, Reed, Demarcus Lawrence, Byron Murphy, Uchenna Nwosu, and Boye Mafe must be relentless in pursuit and disciplined in the run game.  Love’s return should help a defensive secondary that was tormented by Puka Nacua the first time around.

Nacua had seven receptions for 75 yards. Another weapon the Rams will throw at the Seahawks’ defense is former Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson, who had two receptions and one touchdown. Without Devante Adams, the Seahawks defense should be able to dictate coverage schemes and make it difficult for Stafford to decide where to throw the ball.

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