The 2018 NFL preseason is about halfway done, and teams are finishing up their roster decisions and gameplan for the year. The Seattle Seahawks are doing the same thing in their goal to return to the playoffs after missing them last year. There are many questions facing Seattle this year, with a lot of unsettled positions and new starters this is a year of change. So, what can we expect from them in 2018?
The defense will be in the top 15
This defense might have lost a lot from last year, but they have become accustomed to playing at less than full strength. Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril did not play most of the second half of last year. Earl Thomas and Bobby Wagner have missed games in the past few years as well. The backups have gotten playing time and they have played well. After Sherman, Chancellor and Avril were out last year the defense played seven games without any of them taking a snap. In those games they went 3-4 because the defense gave up a lot of points, but they held five of those teams to less than 200 yards passing. The Seahawks also forced at least turnover in every one of those games. So, I think this shows they can at least be in the top 15 defenses this year.
Bobby Wagner has five interceptions
Bobby Wagner has eight interceptions in his career, with his most in a season coming in his rookie year, when he got three picks. I think he could set a new career high in 2018. Seattle has a lot of change in their secondary, so I think they will blitz Wagner a little less and give him more opportunities in coverage. He has the range, hands and awareness to make plays all over the field. He could have a monster year this year and force a bunch of turnovers, that is the only thing missing from his game, forcing turnovers at a higher rate. Look for Wagner to shine for Seattle this year.
The running backs score 14 touchdowns
This will be the biggest change from last year. Seattle will get production from the running back position. I think they have the talent for at least 14 touchdowns between the four they will probably keep on the roster. Rashaad Penny has shown elusiveness in his eight carries this preseason with three missed tackles forced. Chris Carson has shown more speed and power than last year and looks smooth with the ball in his hands this year. J.D. McKissic is out for about a month and a half, but his speed and versatility will create matchup problems for everyone he faces. C.J. Prosise will also get his chances this year to show everyone that he can make plays and stay on the field. As you have guessed by now, I don’t think Mike Davis is going to make the roster. He is a good back, but just can’t make it in this crowded backfield.
Between running and receiving I think this will be an easy one for this group, if they improve their red zone running game.
Russell Wilson gets sacked almost 50 times…again
Russell Wilson has been sacked almost 250 times since becoming a Seahawk. That is a little more than 41 per season, and all but one of them is in the 40-45 range. He was sacked 33 times his rookie year. I have been the first person to say I think Seattle’s offensive line will improve with the coaching changes and the added experience of last year, but they will improve more in run blocking than pass protection. This is still a unit that will struggle with keeping defenders away from Wilson. This can also be partly Wilson’s fault for scrambling around before there is real pressure. Because then the offensive linemen do not have the same leverage against defenders when Wilson leaves the pocket. This group will look better but I think the stats will be somewhat like what we have already seen.
