Sunday represents a decisive moment for the Seattle Seahawks, who find themselves in a must-win scenario after a home defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, resulting in an 8-8 season record. To secure a playoff berth, the Seahawks will face the 4-12 Arizona Cardinals on the road at 1:25 p.m.
Discussing the team on the K.J. Wright Show, the former Seahawks standout, Wright, highlighted crucial aspects affecting the Seahawks’ performance.
One significant setback for Seattle has been the absence of linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who has been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 18. Wright, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, emphasized the impact of Brooks’s absence in the game against Pittsburgh. The Seahawks allowed a staggering 468 yards of offense, with Pittsburgh rushing for 202 yards compared to the Seahawks’ 88, and managing only one sack.
Wright underscored Brooks’s value as a dynamic player, adept at reading the game and making decisive plays. With Brooks expected to return, the Seahawks aim to address defensive vulnerabilities that were exploited by Pittsburgh and anticipate a similar strategy from the Cardinals.
Turning attention to the Seahawks’ struggling run game, despite investing in running backs like Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, the team ranks fourth from last in the NFL with just 90.1 rushing yards per game. Wright identified the offensive line as an area requiring improvement, emphasizing the need for better performance from players like K-9 (Walker) and Charbonnet to establish a potent running game.
Another aspect under scrutiny is the Seahawks’ performance on third down, where they currently rank 25th in the league with a 35.4% conversion rate. While this statistic could be seen as a concern for third-year offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Wright defended Waldron, attributing the struggles to a lack of overall synchronization. He pointed out the interdependence of various factors, including run effectiveness, offensive line performance, and quarterback play.
Wright highlighted the challenge of running an effective offense when faced with stalemates at the line of scrimmage and emphasized the need for cohesion across all facets of the game. In his analysis, he urged improvement in the offensive line, better execution in the run game, and a collaborative effort from the entire team to enhance performance on critical downs.
As the Seahawks approach the must-win clash with the Cardinals, addressing these key areas will be pivotal in determining their postseason fate.
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