The Seattle Seahawks return to CenturyLink Field to start a two game stretch of “must win” games against the struggling Oakland Raiders and New York Giants. After a comeback win in Carolina last weekend, the Seahawks are tied with the San Francisco 49ers for second place in the NFC West, with both teams two games behind the division leading Arizona Cardinals. Despite having five divisional games remaining on the schedule, the Seahawks can’t afford to lose anymore ground if they have any hope of winning the division and securing home field in the playoffs.
The Raiders come into Week 9 as the only winless team remaining in the NFL. At 0-7 the team is once again stuck in turmoil and struggling to find a way out of it. Across the board, the team is struggling on the field. While aided from having to play from behind more often than not, the Raiders are last in the NFL in rushing yards per game, averaging just under 70 YPG.
As an added bonus for this weekend’s match-up and return home, the Seahawks will induct LT Walter Jones into their “Ring of Honor”. Jones was an all-world Tackle that protected Seahawks QB’s for twelve seasons. Big Walt was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this past offseason and is, arguably, the greatest Seahawk of all time.
Reverting back to this weekend’s action on the field itself, here is a deeper look at what to expect when each team has the ball:
When the Seahawks are on offense
The Seahawks continue to move forward from the Percy Harvin trade and should be able to move up and down the field against the Raiders defense. The key for the Seahawks is to execute in the red zone and punch in a few touchdowns vs. kicking field goals. Expect a healthy dose of Marshawn Lynch early and then paving the way for Robert Turbin and Christine Michael to take over later in the game.
Advantage: Seahawks
When the Raiders are on offense
After coming alive late in the game against Carolina, the Seahawks pass rush may have found itself again. OLB Bruce Irvin has struggled when asked to do anything beyond rushing the passer. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, they need to rely on Irvin to do much more given the injuries the team continues to battle. It looks like MLB Bobby Wagner will miss another week of action and the Seahawks’ defense has looked significantly weaker without him on the field.
However, whether it is Derek Carr, Matt Schaub, or anyone else at QB for the Raiders, expect the Seahawks to win the battle in the trenches and on the outside. In order to have any chance in this game, the Raiders will need to establish Darren McFadden in the run and in a short passing game. McFadden only has 85 carries on the season for 338 rushing yards and the Seahawks remain a top team in the league against the run, ranked sixth in the NFL and allowing 89.6 YPG.
Advantage: Seahawks
Special Teams
If there was an area where the Raiders might have a small advantage vs. the Seahawks, it would be in Special Teams. Surprisingly, the Raiders are ranked tenth in the league in Special Teams according to Football Outsiders and DVOA rankings. Seattle is still trying to find its kick and punt return game and continues to shuffle the deck in who is receiving each. Rookie WR and speedster Paul Richardson may have earned the kick returning duties after a big return last weekend.
Pete Carroll and the staff put CB Richard Sherman on the field last weekend to return punts but that plan is putting a lot in the line of danger. Backup WR Bryan Walters simply hasn’t been getting it done and this remains an issue for the team as it heads to the second half of the season.
Advantage: Seahawks - only because the game is in Seattle
Final Score Prediction: Seahawks 35, Raiders 13
Seattle returns home and has Big Walt’s “Ring of Honor” celebration. There is absolutely no reason for the Seahawks to drop this one if they have playoff aspirations.