Clayton’s keys: Seahawks need to keep improving on the ground against Eagles
Nov 18, 2016, 6:00 AM
C.J. Prosise will get some help Sunday out of the backfield with the return of Thomas Rawls. (AP)
(AP)
Last Sunday night’s Seahawks victory over the New England Patriots should trigger the usual second-half surge by the team.
Pete Carroll prepares his team to play its best football in November and December. Leaves are falling and the Seahawks are winning.
On Sunday, they face an interesting game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Entering the weekend, the Eagles are the only remaining team on Seattle’s schedule with a winning record. The Arizona Cardinals are closest at 4-4-1, and there is still a tough road game ahead in Green Bay (4-5).
Let’s look at four key elements of Sunday’s game:
This is Week 2 of rebuilding the running offense. To kick-start the fading running game, Carroll last week went to a pass-first offense with C.J. Prosise as the main running back instead of Christine Michael, who was cut and landed in Green Bay this week. Prosise rushed for 66 yards on 17 carries, and the team rushed for 96 yards. The big thing, though, was the fact that Prosise’s running set up more manageable second and third downs for Russell Wilson. And now that Thomas Rawls is healthy and can be added to the mix, he should bring more impact. The key for Wilson is to continue to show he is gaining mobility and start to get a few more yards with his feet. Still, he doesn’t have to go overboard. Wilson was able to get plenty of manageable drives in the Patriots game and knows how to move this offense. I’m still amazed he’s on pace to throw for more 4,300 yards, incredible for a QB who is playing through two major leg injuries.
Make Carson Wentz uncomfortable at CenturyLink Field. The Eagles’ rookie QB has been one of the best surprise stories a year, leading Philadelphia to a 5-4 record. He’s made the teams that drafted in the top five look as though they missed a promising, young quarterback, allowing the Eagles to be the big benefactor of a trade where they snagged the No. 2 pick to take him. Wentz’s challenge this week is playing in a loud CenturyLink Field, and crowd noise could give Wentz trouble. He has lost his last three games on the road, though he won in Chicago in Week 2, 29-14. The Eagles receiving personnel isn’t considered strong, as they don’t get a lot of production from their outside receivers. The main threat is slot receiver is Jordan Matthews, who has 48 catches for 580 yards and three touchdowns. With the Eagles being very good at tight end in addition to Matthews, don’t expect Richard Sherman to get a lot of action to his side. That puts the pressure on Jeremy Lane, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and the linebackers to contain the passing game.
Don’t underestimate the challenges created by the Eagles defensive line. Defensive end Brandon Graham is having a Pro Bowl season. He has five sacks and is second in the league with 43.5 combined pressures, hurries and knockdowns. Another problem is Fletcher Cox, who has been one of the best defensive tackles in football. And then there is the aggressive schemes of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. This will be a tough game for the offensive line, which will have George Fant, who has given up two sacks since playing at left tackle, again getting the start after being given the full-time nod on Wednesday.
How will the Eagles approach covering the Seahawks’ receivers? If the Seahawks stay pass-first for this game, it was be interesting to see how Schwartz will call coverages against the Seattle passing offense. The debate is whether to put the extra coverage on tight end Jimmy Graham or wide receiver Doug Baldwin. A commitment to one or the other will also open things up for Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett and Paul Richardson just as it did last Sunday night against the Patriots. The good part for Seattle is how Lockett has bounced back from his PCL injury and now appears to be at full speed. Putting up 31 points on the Patriots was huge, but the Eagles bring in a different type of defense. Should make for an interesting matchup.
Want more John Clayton? Listen on-demand to his weekday and Saturday shows as well as his “Cold Hard Facts” and “Clayton’s Morning Drive” segments on 710 ESPN Seattle. Also, check out his all-new “Schooled” podcast and look for his columns twice a week on 710Sports.com.
