JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: Expect more rushing from Seahawks’ offense against Jets

Dec 11, 2020, 3:18 PM

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, RB Chris Carson...

John Clayton expects more of a running attack for the Seahawks against the Jets. (Getty)

(Getty)

The winless New York Jets come to Seattle to face the Seahawks at the right time.

Seahawks Injuries: RT Shell is back, DE Dunlap a game-time decision

Russell Wilson is holding onto the ball for too long. There are more concerns about the Seahawks’ offense than the Seahawks’ defense. The sacks continue to mount. The running game been fighting through injuries. Play calling has been more pass than run, and Pete Carroll wants more runs. Letting “Russ Cook” of late is getting him burned.

Maybe Shaquill Griffin was right. Maybe they took the New York Giants for granted. That shouldn’t happen against the Jets. The Jets come to town 0-12 and looking hopeless. Even though they should have beaten the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday, the Jets have been pretty non-competitive for most of the season. They are understaffed on offense and defense and things got worse this week.

Quarterback Sam Darnold continues to struggle to the point that most people believe the Jets will draft Trevor Lawrence and trade Darnold to a team like the Indianapolis Colts. They entered the season with less talent at wide receiver, letting wide receiver Robby Anderson go to the Carolina Panthers.

While general manager Joe Douglas had a good draft, the offseason didn’t net a lot of good players. Wide receiver Denzel Mims won’t play because he had to leave town because of a family emergency. Wide receiver Jamison Crowder is questionable, but he didn’t practice Friday, which really makes him questionable.

The season started with a shortage of good players at cornerback and things got worse. The Jets have only two healthy safeties, and last week the Jets used up to four rookies in the secondary. They probably will have three rookies on the field for most of the game Sunday.

Who is going to matchup against DK Metcalf? Who is going to matchup against Tyler Lockett?

They underwent a defensive coordinator change when the Jets fired Gregg Williams after he rushed seven in a cover-zero blitz that left rookie cornerback Lamar Jackson go against Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs with no help from the middle of the field. Frank Bush has taken over at defensive coordinator after the departure of Williams. Jackson, a rookie, got benched, so the Jets will go with Bless Austin and Bryce Hall.

Douglas wanted to aggressive to fix the offensive line. He brought in four new offensive linemen but that really hasn’t worked out. He looks as though he hit it big with left tackle Mekhi Becton, but the other four starters haven’t solved the problems. They come two Seattle minus their two starting guards – Greg Von Roten and Alex Lewis. Former Seahawk George Fant starts at right tackle. He’s been OK, not great.

In fact, the Seahawks have benefitted with the Jets’ change at right tackle. Right tackle Brandon Shell was probably the best offseason signing by the Seahawks. He is expected to return to the lineup after missing a couple games with a high-ankle sprain. Here’s a weird stat: The Seahawks have more former Jets Pro Bowlers on their roster than the Jets. The Seahawks have kicker Jason Myers and safety Jamal Adams. Frank Gore, 37, is the only Jet on the 53-man roster who has gone to the Pro Bowl.

This game should be pretty simple. The Seahawks will run the ball more and Wilson will do his best to protect the team from turnovers. Next week’s game against Washington should be more challenging, but the Seahawks just can’t take the Jets for granted even though they arrive at the perfect time.

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Clayton: Expect more rushing from Seahawks’ offense against Jets