3 Players to watch in Seahawks’ home opener vs Cowboys
Sep 23, 2018, 12:26 AM | Updated: 1:19 am
Earl Thomas has one interception and 7 tackles for the Seahawks through two weeks. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks are seeking their first win of the season in a Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at CenturyLink Field. Seattle’s head coach Pete Carroll said Friday the season will be dictated by how this team plays at home, and players and coaches know a win Sunday is as important as ever when facing the possibility of a 0-3 start.
Clayton: Keys for a Seahawks win over the Cowboys
It’s been an offseason of change for the Seahawks, but some of the pains from last season have carried into their 2018 campaign. Among the frustrations Carroll expressed at the close of the year interview with 710 ESPN Seattle were slow starts and struggles with the run. Both issues can be tackled by moving the chains, though Seattle ranks 29th in the league in successful third down conversion attempts.
The Seahawks have pieces in place to improve: a Pro Bowl quarterback with a winning track record, a first-round running back who led the nation in yards last year, a versatile tight end, a four-time Pro Bowl left tackle and a 6-feet-5, 340-pound right guard ready to get his first regular season start with his new team. But will the offense make a turn in Week 3?
Here are three players we’re keeping an eye on:
RB Chris Carson
Carson was on this list last week, and makes a return in Week 3. Seattle hasn’t had a running back rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season since Marshawn Lynch did it in 2014, so the improvement of the rushing offense will be a season-long focus.
The second-year pro is facing high expectations in 2018 and, despite Seattle’s running back-by-committee approach, is the acting lead back. But he was curiously absent from the second half of Seattle’s loss to Chicago (Carroll took the blame, saying he misread a situation on the sideline). Given his brief absence Monday night, and the team’s overall lack of carries through two games, all eyes will be on Carson Sunday.
TE Will Dissly
The rookie tight end has made an early impact with 147 yards and two touchdowns so far this year. Considered to be more of a blocking tight end entering the draft, Dissly has shown he can contribute in the passing game as well — a skill set made all the more important with wide receiver Doug Baldwin still sidelined by a knee injury.
FS Earl Thomas
The fact that the Seahawks are facing the Cowboys is certainly part of what makes this interesting. Thomas’ offseason with Seattle has been well-documented, as has Dallas’ interest in a trade for Thomas. The All-Pro safety ended his holdout earlier this month, and the conversation took a backseat until Friday, when Carroll was asked why Thomas wasn’t a participant in practice.
Carroll said Thomas missed practice for a personal matter, not an injury-related one. Asked if there was a chance Thomas would miss Week 3, Carroll said: “We’ll see how he’s doing. We’ll make sure he’s okay.”
Rumors of any trade fizzled soon after: NFL.com’s Steve Wyche reported speaking to two Seahawks players, both of whom said they expect Thomas to play Sunday. According to the report, a team official said Thomas had not been traded and that he is indeed dealing with a personal issue. Cowboys Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones also confirmed Dallas is not involved in trade talks.
Even without the off-the-field backstory, Thomas’ presence will be a boon for a Seahawks defense short several longtime starters and will play a key role against the Cowboys. He and strong safety Bradley McDougald are two of the five highest-graded safeties through two weeks, and the only pair from the list who are on the same team.
