Seahawks’ offensive issues vs Bucs are reason to be alarmed

TAMPA, Fla. – So it turns out that Russell Wilson’s health wasn’t the only issue with the Seahawks’ offense.

Because he rushed for more yards Sunday than he had in the first 10 games combined, and still the Seahawks limped through a game that should scare the bejeezus out of anyone who believed that Seattle had turned the corner.

Seattle’s offense allowed six sacks and scored three points. The Seahawks failed to score a touchdown for the third time this season. Heck, Tampa Bay’s offense scored almost as many points for Seattle with a safety as Seattle’s offense managed on its own.

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Seattle had a net passing total of 1 yard at halftime. One yard. Russell Wilson threw for 20 yards in the first two periods combined while the team lost 19 yards on the four times he was sacked.

Seattle has been bad on offense before. They managed one measly field goal in Week 2. Heck, they were absolutely awful less than two months ago in Arizona when they failed to score a touchdown over five quarters.

But this? This was different.

This was Tampa Bay, whose defense can be accurately described as downright bad. This is also the end of November, when we’re accustomed to seeing the Seahawks hitting their stride.

That’s what makes this so jarring. We’ve seen Seattle’s offensive line struggle plenty of times before, but usually that’s in the first half of the season. The Seahawks are now through with November, and Sunday’s game provides ample evidence how catastrophic this offensive line can be to any thoughts of a deep playoff run.

The line isn’t a new concern. We’ve spent the better part of six months wringing hands over how young and inexpensive Seattle’s offensive line is.

On Sunday, Seattle looked like a team that was starting three rookies along the line, which they were: Germain Ifedi, George Fant and Joey Hunt in place of center Justin Britt, who was unable to practice all week because of an ankle injury.

Seattle also looked like it was starting a guy who hadn’t played offensive line since the eighth grade, which to be fair to Fant, is actually true.

But the most telling thing about the game might be the switch that Seattle made in the first quarter, replacing right tackle Garry Gilliam with Bradley Sowell. Remember Gilliam? He was the guy projected as the left tackle before training camp began. Then, he was switched back to right tackle. On Sunday, he was replaced by the guy who used to be Seattle’s starting left tackle before he suffered a knee injury.

In the last game of November, the Seahawks are still tinkering up front, which should make everyone worry about the fragility of this offense.

The Seahawks have counted on their ability to develop and improve younger players over the course of the season. They are willing to wade through some early struggles because of the improvement they will see by December. That improvement is a big reason why Seattle was 31-6 in the months of November and December since Russell Wilson was drafted.

Wait. Make that 31-7.

And that’s why this loss feels a little more ominous. This wasn’t the Rams’ defensive line, which always gives Seattle fits. This wasn’t even Arizona, whose defense was dug in for that Sunday night grudge match.

And most concerning: This wasn’t because Wilson was injured.

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