Heaps: Seahawks face tough task with Eagles’ run defense

The last time the Seahawks faced the Philadelphia Eagles, they won 17-9 in a game that was more decisive than the final score would indicate.

Who is more critical to Seahawks’ playoff success: Diggs or Lockett?

The Seattle defense forced five turnovers, constantly pressured Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and routinely forced Philadelphia to punt.

On the flip side, Seattle’s offense was OK. Russell Wilson threw for 200 yards and a touchdown but also had an ugly interception. Receiver Tyler Lockett had just one catch, though it went for 38 yards, and rookie receiver DK Metcalf had a few big drops, including one that likely would have been a touchdown.

The bright spot on offense was the running game, namely Rashaad Penny. The Eagles were one of the best at stopping the run this year, ranking in at third. But Seattle ran for 174 yards, 129 of which belonged to Penny.

Now, the two teams square off in the first round of the playoffs in Philadelphia on Sunday, and Seattle will have a new cast of characters in the run game.

Despite Seattle’s success in Week 12, Jake Heaps of 710 ESPN’s Tom, Jake and Stacy said the Eagles’ run defense is what scares him most in the upcoming matchup.

“When you talk about watching them on film, obviously (defensive tackle) Fletcher Cox, he’s a guy that stands out to me, a dominant football player on the interior,” Heaps said. “Their linebackers, their safeties, they’re aggressive, they fly around and they try to set the tone with their run defense.”

The Seahawks are without their top-three running backs for the rest of the season, so rookie Travis Homer and Seahawks legend Marshawn Lynch, who Seattle signed last week, will carry the load this time around. Additionally, starting left tackle Duane Brown will likely miss the contest as he recovers from knee surgery. George Fant started in his place in Week 17.

Lynch and Homer two combined for 96 rushing yards in Week 17 against a very good San Francisco 49ers defense. That allowed for Wilson and company to be more effective overall, especially in the second half.

“When they were able to be effective in the run game, it’s not that they needed to lean on the run game or have it be the focal point, but when it’s effective, it opens everything else up,” Heaps said. “It makes (offensive coordinator) Brian Schottenheimer more confident. It allows Russell Wilson to have more time back there when he is passing. Everything is predicated off the run game, so if they’re not able to get it done, I think it’s really going to be hard for Seattle to establish a rhythm.”

Heaps said another reason to be concerned is that the last time Seattle faced them, a lot of the rushing yards the Seahawks gained were on Penny’s 58-yard touchdown run.

“Outside of that, there were only a few runs here or there that were a success,” Heaps said. “So, for that reason, (for) Philadelphia, the numbers were skewed a little bit in my mind when you go back and look at the game.”

If the running game can run like they did last week against San Francisco, Heaps thinks Seattle will be in good shape.

“I don’t think Seattle is going to be able to generate 175 yards on the ground, but as long as they can get over that 100-yard mark and be effective when they run the football, I think that will bode very well for them,” Heaps said.

Listen to Heaps’ thoughts at this link or in the player below at the 16:29 mark.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake Heaps on Twitter.

Moore: Seahawks’ defense, the worst of Carroll era, could thwart playoff run

Follow @TheBGustafson