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blstoker
Bill Bergen for HoF!
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- Apr 17, 2013
- Location
- WA
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Positives:
Russell Wilson - After struggling through multiple injuries - the last two games have shown that Russell is nearly 100% healthy again. There are also signs that Russell is entering his second half hot streak that has been his signature since coming into the league.
Run Defense - Seattle rates in the top 10 in run defense, and is #2 in ypc (3.5). Seattle has had to face teams running the ball a lot the last 4 games (138 carries for 498 yards) as teams have been content on 2-3 yard gains on first and/or second downs to give easy 3rd and short situations. Seattle's inability to create separation on the scoreboard has allowed opposing offenses to stay in this game plan.
CenturyLink - Playing in Seattle is a daunting task for opposing teams - even those not coming in with a rookie QB. Seattle is undefeated at home this season, and teams from the east coast like traveling to the west coast about as much as teams from the west coast enjoy traveling to the east coat (which is evident by the whining they did to get their west coast trips limited).
Negatives:
Running Game - It's been a long time since the Seahawks running attack was ranked in the 30s. Though I have hope that Procise's decisiveness and Rawls return will help bring the running attack back - there just hasn't been enough consistency to make me confident. When Philly is good against the run - they're really good - but when they've been exposed they have been really bad.
Philly Run Game - Philadelphia runs the ball well, and a lot. They have 3 running backs who get 5 carries a game or more (a fourth is above 2). They average 28 carries a game - and with the recent trend to run against Seattle's D (and Carson Wentz showing some mid-season rookie stumbles), I would expect them to be the 4th team in 5 weeks to reach 30 carries against Seattle.
Darren Sproles - Sproles has been a very good back for a long time, and he's the type of back that gives the Seahawks fits. He gets lost behind the linemen and he is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He fits the type of players teams have been using to nickel and dime the Seahawks defense for the last 4 games. Shutting him (and Ryan Matthews) will be key in getting the upper hand against their offense.
Matchups:
Philly Front 7 v. Sea OLine - I hate using components from multiple areas in the same write-up, which is why the Philly front 7 is here instead of negatives. Philly's front is among the best in football - and many would argue is the best in football. Seattle's OLine - though much maligned - has played much better than expected this season, and this won't be their first game against a top front 7 (LA, Arizona, Miami, Buffalo). This truly will be the matchup to watch today - as Seattle's entire offense will depend on how well the line can hold that great front 7 in check.
Jordan Matthews v. DeShawn Shead - Shead has shown the last 5 games that he can hold his own on the other side (there were times this year that he was exposed, but he's closed that up), and as such Richard Sherman hasn't been following the #1 as much since the Jets game. Matthews is a matchup issue against most teams - but Seattle's big corners (6'1" and 6'3" as starters) takes some of that away. Matthews is the Eagles leading receiver (in all 4 traditional categories) and they lean on him heavily for the passing game.
Zach Ertz v. Wright/Wagner/Coyle - A good TE is a young QBs best friend - and Ertz is the team's 3rd leading receiver, despite missing 2 games. Throw in the added issue of having to keep an eye on Sproles (2nd leading receiver) and the Hawks' linebackers are gonna have their hands full today.
Overview:
This game is more than winnable for the Seahawks. If they can limit the run and make Wentz beat them - this game could get ugly fast. The defense needs to get off the field, preferably on 3 and outs, and not let the Eagles offense get a head of steam behind it. The offense needs to find ways to score and put distance between them and the Eagles early and pressure them to abandon the run for a much weaker pass attack. As always - Seattle's front 4 will need to be able to find ways to pressure the QB, a much harder task when facing a team that runs as often as Philly does. On paper, I would say Seattle has the better overall team - but this is a match up of defensive elites (2nd and 3rd), so this has all the hallmarks of a physical, low scoring affair that could come down to the final possession.
Russell Wilson - After struggling through multiple injuries - the last two games have shown that Russell is nearly 100% healthy again. There are also signs that Russell is entering his second half hot streak that has been his signature since coming into the league.
Run Defense - Seattle rates in the top 10 in run defense, and is #2 in ypc (3.5). Seattle has had to face teams running the ball a lot the last 4 games (138 carries for 498 yards) as teams have been content on 2-3 yard gains on first and/or second downs to give easy 3rd and short situations. Seattle's inability to create separation on the scoreboard has allowed opposing offenses to stay in this game plan.
CenturyLink - Playing in Seattle is a daunting task for opposing teams - even those not coming in with a rookie QB. Seattle is undefeated at home this season, and teams from the east coast like traveling to the west coast about as much as teams from the west coast enjoy traveling to the east coat (which is evident by the whining they did to get their west coast trips limited).
Negatives:
Running Game - It's been a long time since the Seahawks running attack was ranked in the 30s. Though I have hope that Procise's decisiveness and Rawls return will help bring the running attack back - there just hasn't been enough consistency to make me confident. When Philly is good against the run - they're really good - but when they've been exposed they have been really bad.
Philly Run Game - Philadelphia runs the ball well, and a lot. They have 3 running backs who get 5 carries a game or more (a fourth is above 2). They average 28 carries a game - and with the recent trend to run against Seattle's D (and Carson Wentz showing some mid-season rookie stumbles), I would expect them to be the 4th team in 5 weeks to reach 30 carries against Seattle.
Darren Sproles - Sproles has been a very good back for a long time, and he's the type of back that gives the Seahawks fits. He gets lost behind the linemen and he is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He fits the type of players teams have been using to nickel and dime the Seahawks defense for the last 4 games. Shutting him (and Ryan Matthews) will be key in getting the upper hand against their offense.
Matchups:
Philly Front 7 v. Sea OLine - I hate using components from multiple areas in the same write-up, which is why the Philly front 7 is here instead of negatives. Philly's front is among the best in football - and many would argue is the best in football. Seattle's OLine - though much maligned - has played much better than expected this season, and this won't be their first game against a top front 7 (LA, Arizona, Miami, Buffalo). This truly will be the matchup to watch today - as Seattle's entire offense will depend on how well the line can hold that great front 7 in check.
Jordan Matthews v. DeShawn Shead - Shead has shown the last 5 games that he can hold his own on the other side (there were times this year that he was exposed, but he's closed that up), and as such Richard Sherman hasn't been following the #1 as much since the Jets game. Matthews is a matchup issue against most teams - but Seattle's big corners (6'1" and 6'3" as starters) takes some of that away. Matthews is the Eagles leading receiver (in all 4 traditional categories) and they lean on him heavily for the passing game.
Zach Ertz v. Wright/Wagner/Coyle - A good TE is a young QBs best friend - and Ertz is the team's 3rd leading receiver, despite missing 2 games. Throw in the added issue of having to keep an eye on Sproles (2nd leading receiver) and the Hawks' linebackers are gonna have their hands full today.
Overview:
This game is more than winnable for the Seahawks. If they can limit the run and make Wentz beat them - this game could get ugly fast. The defense needs to get off the field, preferably on 3 and outs, and not let the Eagles offense get a head of steam behind it. The offense needs to find ways to score and put distance between them and the Eagles early and pressure them to abandon the run for a much weaker pass attack. As always - Seattle's front 4 will need to be able to find ways to pressure the QB, a much harder task when facing a team that runs as often as Philly does. On paper, I would say Seattle has the better overall team - but this is a match up of defensive elites (2nd and 3rd), so this has all the hallmarks of a physical, low scoring affair that could come down to the final possession.
