- Thread starter
- #1
blstoker
Bill Bergen for HoF!
- 14,275
- 2,881
- 293
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2013
- Location
- WA
- Hoopla Cash
- $ 9,816.00
- Fav. Team #1
- Fav. Team #2
- Fav. Team #3
Positives:
Russell Wilson - Wilson will have issues with protection today. The line looks like it'll be better than last year's, but Ifedi will have issues with Miller - and that alone will make Wilson's day a long one. Wilson will need to adjust to the thin air quickly if the team wants any hope of moving the ball.
Rashaad Penny/Chris Carson - Not so much a positive this early into the season, but a necessity. Seattle needs one or both of these running backs to have at least a solid day and show that Seattle will have a running game this season that will not be led by Wilson's scrambling. Denver was #1 in YPC last year at 3.3, and Seattle is going to have to do much better than that today.
Bobby Wagner - Wagner is the best MLB in the NFL, IMO. He's gonna have to be extra vigilant today, as I expect Denver to try an establish Royce Freeman early and often. The defense is going to need to get off the field today - or we may see a repeat of San Diego 2014.
Negatives:
Denver's Defense - Denver's defense has been one of the best one's in the NFL over the last few years, despite giving up a lot of points last year. They can pressure and harass a quarterback all game long. If Seattle finds themselves with long field all game, it will be difficult to put up points.
Mile High - Denver has one of the toughest natural home field advantages in the NFL. It is an atmosphere that most teams find difficult to to adjust to, as not having the same ability to breathe as normal is a huge disadvantage in sports. Seattle has traditionally had very little success in Denver - and Wilson has never had to play there.
Inexperience - Anywhere from 4 to 6 of today's projected starters on defense are rookies or second year players. This is just one of the things that'll hound the team this year is the reliance on players who have little to no experience. It's not necessarily a negative - but it is an unknown.
Matchups:
Germain Ifedi v. Von Miller - This matchup was alluded to earlier - as it is a matchup nightmare for the Seahawks. Ifedi has flashes of being not just competent, but a good NFL tackle, but when faced with elite opposition he generally folds like a lawn chair. Ifedi is going to have to be on his A game (and get some additional help) or the Seahawks offense will stall.
Justin Britt v. Domata Peko - Peko is the anchor of a Denver defensive line that ranked fifth in yards last year. Britt is probably the strongest center in the NFL. With Fluker out, Britt will need to be able to handle Peko as much as possible on his own and allow Sweezy and Pocic the opportunity to get to the second level to open allies for our running backs. Is it realistic to expect Britt to do this against a 325 pound anchor? We'll see.
Shaquill Griffin/Tre Flowers v. Demaryius Thomas/Emmanuel Sanders - Seattle will be throwing out some very young CBs to cover these pro bowl WRs. People think that Keenum's day will depend on Denver establishing the run, but I think the coverage of these 2 corners and the pressure put on by Seattle's defense will be far more important than how much the shut down Freeman and co. (not saying Seattle shouldn't make Denver 1 dementional, just not sure that Seattle can take advantage.)
Overview:
This is an intriging matchup. Denver is coming off a horrible season where a competent offense could've been the difference. Seattle is coming off a good season where a competent kicker could've put them in the Super Bowl hunt. Seattle has an upmountain battle on their hands - as nearly everything points in Denver's favor in this one.
Russell Wilson - Wilson will have issues with protection today. The line looks like it'll be better than last year's, but Ifedi will have issues with Miller - and that alone will make Wilson's day a long one. Wilson will need to adjust to the thin air quickly if the team wants any hope of moving the ball.
Rashaad Penny/Chris Carson - Not so much a positive this early into the season, but a necessity. Seattle needs one or both of these running backs to have at least a solid day and show that Seattle will have a running game this season that will not be led by Wilson's scrambling. Denver was #1 in YPC last year at 3.3, and Seattle is going to have to do much better than that today.
Bobby Wagner - Wagner is the best MLB in the NFL, IMO. He's gonna have to be extra vigilant today, as I expect Denver to try an establish Royce Freeman early and often. The defense is going to need to get off the field today - or we may see a repeat of San Diego 2014.
Negatives:
Denver's Defense - Denver's defense has been one of the best one's in the NFL over the last few years, despite giving up a lot of points last year. They can pressure and harass a quarterback all game long. If Seattle finds themselves with long field all game, it will be difficult to put up points.
Mile High - Denver has one of the toughest natural home field advantages in the NFL. It is an atmosphere that most teams find difficult to to adjust to, as not having the same ability to breathe as normal is a huge disadvantage in sports. Seattle has traditionally had very little success in Denver - and Wilson has never had to play there.
Inexperience - Anywhere from 4 to 6 of today's projected starters on defense are rookies or second year players. This is just one of the things that'll hound the team this year is the reliance on players who have little to no experience. It's not necessarily a negative - but it is an unknown.
Matchups:
Germain Ifedi v. Von Miller - This matchup was alluded to earlier - as it is a matchup nightmare for the Seahawks. Ifedi has flashes of being not just competent, but a good NFL tackle, but when faced with elite opposition he generally folds like a lawn chair. Ifedi is going to have to be on his A game (and get some additional help) or the Seahawks offense will stall.
Justin Britt v. Domata Peko - Peko is the anchor of a Denver defensive line that ranked fifth in yards last year. Britt is probably the strongest center in the NFL. With Fluker out, Britt will need to be able to handle Peko as much as possible on his own and allow Sweezy and Pocic the opportunity to get to the second level to open allies for our running backs. Is it realistic to expect Britt to do this against a 325 pound anchor? We'll see.
Shaquill Griffin/Tre Flowers v. Demaryius Thomas/Emmanuel Sanders - Seattle will be throwing out some very young CBs to cover these pro bowl WRs. People think that Keenum's day will depend on Denver establishing the run, but I think the coverage of these 2 corners and the pressure put on by Seattle's defense will be far more important than how much the shut down Freeman and co. (not saying Seattle shouldn't make Denver 1 dementional, just not sure that Seattle can take advantage.)
Overview:
This is an intriging matchup. Denver is coming off a horrible season where a competent offense could've been the difference. Seattle is coming off a good season where a competent kicker could've put them in the Super Bowl hunt. Seattle has an upmountain battle on their hands - as nearly everything points in Denver's favor in this one.
