Poor run defense puts Seahawks’ playoff hopes in doubt…

The Seattle Seahawks find themselves in a precarious position as their playoff hopes hang in the balance following a disappointing 30-23 defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game exposed critical flaws in the Seahawks’ defense, particularly their inability to stop the run, putting a damper on their postseason aspirations.

Pittsburgh’s running back, Najee Harris, became a significant thorn in the Seahawks’ side, showcasing his prowess with a devastating stiff arm that turned a potential tackle for loss into an 8-yard gain. This moment epitomized the overall defensive struggle for the Seahawks, who allowed a staggering 202 rushing yards in the game, ultimately dropping their record to 8-8. The defeat also saw them slipping out of the NFC’s seventh playoff seed after the Green Bay Packers secured a victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

The Seahawks, although still in contention for a wild-card berth, face an uphill battle, and even if they secure a playoff spot by beating the Arizona Cardinals and receiving assistance from the Chicago Bears defeating the Packers, their recent defensive struggles cast doubt on their ability to make a meaningful playoff impact. The importance of run defense in playoff scenarios further compounds their concerns.

The Steelers, armed with a backup quarterback in Mason Rudolph and an 8-7 record, exploited the Seahawks’ defensive vulnerabilities, underscoring their inability to stand firm against stronger opponents. Despite the Steelers’ clear offensive strategy with a high designed rush rate, the Seahawks failed to contain them, allowing Harris and Jaylen Warren to amass 197 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Linebacker Devin Bush acknowledged the Steelers’ physical dominance, stating, “They beat us on the line of scrimmage. They beat us physically. That’s it.” Coach Pete Carroll echoed this sentiment, highlighting the Seahawks’ inadequacies in tackling and their inability to win battles at the line of scrimmage.

The Seahawks, who managed to break a four-game losing streak earlier in the season, now face renewed challenges. While their offense, led by quarterback Geno Smith, delivered a respectable performance with 369 yards, the defensive lapses proved insurmountable. The team’s recent struggles against the run, allowing an average of 170 rushing yards over the past six games, raise concerns about their ability to shore up their defense in time for the playoffs.

Carroll expressed frustration over the recurring issue, noting, “It’s been repetitive.” The Seahawks, reminiscent of their position in the previous season, now need a win in their regular-season finale and external help to secure the seventh seed for a playoff berth. The loss against the Steelers has cost them control over their destiny, emphasizing the urgency for the team to address their defensive vulnerabilities and salvage their playoff aspirations in the final stretch of the season.