Stacy Rost: 2 numbers that matter for Seahawks vs Colts

The Seattle Seahawks’ Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts became appointment viewing, but not for the reason we expected.

What looked like a battle between two of the league’s best offenses has instead become a morbidly curious viewing of a 44-year-old Philip Rivers — five years removed from the league — making a start against one of the NFL’s most punishing defenses.

What to expect if Colts start Philip Rivers at QB vs. Seattle Seahawks

Rivers is a future Hall of Famer who knows Indy’s offense better than anyone, so there’s always a chance he surprises us all Sunday. Shame on me for doubting … maybe. But this is something otherwise completely novel. It’s not a 45-year-old Tom Brady having spent each season with a team — it’s a player who hasn’t taken a single snap since the league’s COVID season.

Rivers will be the name we’re all talking about in the minutes leading up to kickoff, but he’s not at the center of your numbers that matter in Week 15 for Seahawks fans.

• Your first number that matters is … 31

The Seahawks offense hasn’t been quite as consistently sharp over its last few games, but overall it remains one of the league’s most explosive. Good news for Jaxon Smith-Njigba fantasy owners: Indy’s got some secondary struggles.

The Colts have allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game this season, but they rank 31st there over their last three games. They’ve also surrendered the most passing yards per game on the road compared to any other defense this year. It’s why they sent two first-round picks to the New York Jets for Sauce Gardner; unfortunately for Indy, he’s injured.

Indianapolis’ defensive backfield still has game-changers. Safety Cam Bynum is tied for first on the team in interceptions (three). But if we’re talking about big opportunities for big plays from Sam Darnold, this is it. He’s still leading the league in yards per pass play (8.9).

• Your second number that matters is … 3.7

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is one of the league’s best. He’s leading all halfbacks in yards (1,356) and touchdowns (16) and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry this season.

But that’s not been the case over the last three weeks. Defenses have zeroed in on what was a hampered Daniel Jones (now out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles) and limited Taylor to 3.7 yards per carry. Seattle’s defense hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher for 22 consecutive games, the longest streak in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks coverage

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• Daniel Jeremiah: Seahawks rookie Grey Zabel ‘an elite guard now’
• Date and time for Seattle Seahawks’ Week 17 game at Carolina announced

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