Seahawks hoping for many chances against Bucs’ Jameis Winston

This is the kind of game Earl Thomas would absolutely love to play in.

Wait. That’s not entirely accurate because there isn’t a football game that Thomas wouldn’t love to play in.

But on Sunday in Tampa Bay, the Seahawks will face Jameis Winston, one of the last true gunslingers at quarterback in this league, and Seattle is probably going to do it without Thomas, who is considered doubtful because of a strained hamstring.

Seahawks likely to be without Thomas, Bennett, Shead in Tampa Bay

That’s too bad because Winston promises to provide the one thing that has become so rare for Seattle’s secondary for the past two and a half seasons: opportunities. The second-year quarterback is a throwback in the way he’ll throw it up, which sets him apart from the tide of quarterbacks who’ve become less risky in general and particularly when it comes to facing Seattle.

How else do you explain the fact that Seattle went from picking off a league-high 28 passes in 2013 to having 27 interceptions in 2014 and 2015 combined? Maybe the Seahawks haven’t made as many plays. More likely, they haven’t had nearly as many opportunities.

Opponents have adjusted their game plans against Seattle. Instead of trying to test the back end of the Seahawks’ defense by throwing over the top, they’ve settled for what is available underneath the last line of Seattle’s defense. Instead of home-run balls, teams have been increasingly prone to settling for singles mixed in with the occasional double.

That’s what makes Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay so exciting. Winston has been intercepted 10 times, which ranks among the most in the league and it’s a reflection of his mindset more than anything else.

The kid has got some guts when it comes to throwing the ball downfield. Just listen to Seattle coach Pete Carroll talk about him.

“He demonstrates the confidence in the choices that he makes,” Carroll said, “how he throws the ball and when he throws it and the kind of traffic he throws it into. He has belief in his arm and accuracy.”

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That explains how he’s thrown for 20 touchdowns this season and developed a connection with third-year receiver Mike Evans, who ranks No. 3 in receiving yards. It also explains the opportunities that he gives opposing defenses.

“He’s still young,” cornerback Richard Sherman said. “He still makes some decisions that are questionable. He also trusts his arm and makes some great passes.”

That approach will take the Bucs’ offense straight into the strength of Seattle’s defense. Or what has been the strength of that defense.

Whether that’s still the case is a question given the injuries the Seahawks are wrestling with. Thomas is probably out. Same for cornerback Deshawn Shead, who like Thomas has a strained hamstring. Throw in the fact that linebacker Mike Morgan can’t return until next week and defensive lineman Michael Bennett is expected to be out at least one more week, and you’ve got a short-handed defense going up against a Tampa Bay team that has won four of its last six games.

The fact that Steven Terrell is starting at free safety with Neiko Thorpe stepping in as the fifth defensive back in nickel defense will test what has been the single greatest renewable resource for the Seahawks under Carroll: their depth in the secondary.

Something else will test this secondary, too: Winston. It’s the kind of opportunity Thomas loves. Now, it’s up to the Seahawks to make the most of this chance without him.

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