Huard: Seahawks will win 12-13 games if defense keeps up takeaway pace

The Seahawks surrendered a season-low 415 yards and 312 passing yards during their Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins. On the surface it may not look like much, but it’s improvement after allowing over 500 yards twice already this year and over 460 yards in each of the team’s first three games.

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While Seattle’s defense looks an awful lot like the 2019 defense that really struggled, former NFL quarterback and current FOX color commentator Brock Huard said he’s seeing something from this defense that leads him to believe that Seattle could wind up with one of the best records in the NFL this year.

“I was just looking at some numbers this morning and two things stand out to me. No. 1, they’re second in the league in interceptions,” he said. “And we have clamored for that. ‘When are you going to start taking the ball away?'”

Back when the Seahawks were at their best in the early- and mid-2010s, the defense constantly was creating and forcing turnovers. That’s been the case this year, with Seattle forcing nine turnovers.

“They’ve still taken the ball away through interceptions six times and only the Colts at seven have one more than them this year,” Huard said.

One player who has been key for the Seahawks in terms of takeaways is fourth-year cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Huard believes his play could lead to a big contract this offseason.

“Shaq Griffin has done it twice already. At this pace, he’s on his way to getting a major, major payday at corner,” Huard said. “And even if the pace slows and he gets five picks on the year, he’s on his way to a major, major payday because that’s what elite corners in this league do.”

Those interceptions have put a dent in opposing quarterbacks’ numbers as well, which was the second thing Huard said stands out to him. That bodes  well for Seattle improving on its 11-5 record from 2019.

“I was looking at the last couple years and that quarterback rating against has been just awful, they’ve been near the bottom of the league. (This year) they’re top 10, largely because of those interceptions,” Huard said. ” … When you take the ball away on that side, I’m going to give you a good grade because if they do that this year, even if they give up 420 yards a game, if they take the ball away and they’re in the top five in the league in taking the ball away and you give (quarterback Russell Wilson) and that offense those extra possessions, you’re going to win 12 or 13 games.”

Huard did question whether or not Seattle could continue this pace, which would result in 24 interceptions for the season.

“If you remember last year in September, they took the ball away, had a bunch of interceptions, they were near the top and then that faucet turned off over the second half of the season,” he said. “So it’s hard to count on those takeaways, but when they do it, yes, I’m willing to give them a good grade yesterday.”

You can hear Huard’s full comments from the Blue 42 segment of Danny and Gallant in the podcast at this link or in the player below.

Follow Brock Huard on Twitter.

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