Seattle Seahawks: No. 12-4, 3rd and NFC
Getting out of the “death” division, that was the task of the Seahawks at the start of the 2020 season. Better still, they won a division with more victories than six other divisions (only the AFC North did better).
Enough to arm you for the future and give guarantees of quality. But both sides of the ball must perform well at the same time, it will be necessary for knockout matches.
How did they get there?
As for a successful speech, the Seahawks have groomed the start and end of fiscal 2020: five wins to start, four to end. In attack, the season took place in two parts: 415 yards average / game on the first eight then 324 yards on the next eight. A significant drop that the defense was able to compensate with 25 points conceded on average over the first eight games, only 16 in the last eight.
The Seahawks were able to offer a balanced attack: 12th ground attack (123 yards average / game) and 16th in the air (246 yards). On the first 6 games of the season (5-1), Seattle won only one of more than 8 points, but the attack was not necessarily responsible because the defense allowed 415 to 522 yards per game to his adversaries! Of the next 10 games, the defense conceded more than 400 yards only once. Chance or not, the defensive progress corresponds to the arrival of Carlos Dunlap.
The graph below measures the probability of making an impact play with its final result, considering the attempt number and the position on the court. Attack and defense were at the same level in 2020 only over three games: worse against the Rams and best against the Jets. Finally, the two squads performed well against the 49ers on the last day: a good sign for the future?
credit: @SeahawksFrance
The key player: Russell Wilson
Who else ? Not that he’s isolated in the Seattle squad, but he’s been a consistent and decisive player since joining the league in 2012. In the first part of the season, Russell Wilson seemed on his way to the MVP title. Even if he has slowed down somewhat and others have raised their level, he is still this player capable of making a difference.
Why are they going to go to the end?
Because they have the experience and the talent. Whether it’s coach Pete Carroll or quarterback Russell Wilson, going to the Super Bowl, they know. Knowing how to manage (or not) elimination matches is often one of the factors of a team’s success in the playoffs. Linebackers Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright also have this experience and talent for.
The Seahawks have several of the best players in their position. Bobby Wagner is arguably the best NFL linebacker while Jamal Adams is undoubtedly among the best, if not the most decisive. DK Metcalf is a real terror to opposing defenses with his power and speed. In addition, the team relies on two highly talented players in two crucial positions of the sport: quarterback Russell Wilson, capable of turning a game on his sole talent and, offensive tackle Duane Brown, behaving like a impassable wall: 1048 snaps, 1 penalty and 1 sack conceded!
Why won’t they go?
Going to the end means beating all the teams in the National conference. Some, like the Packers or the Buccaneers, offer fire aerial attacks. However, the Seahawks end the regular season with the 31st NFL air defense. Russell Wilson can “cook” as much as he wants, if his defense doesn’t stop opponents sooner or later they will lose and be eliminated.
Injured players
For his second visit to Seattle, Bruce Irvin could not do a full season: injured against the Patriots, a knee operation deprived him of the season in the second game. Same match, same consequence for safety Marquise Blair. Fortunately for them, the comings of Quandre Diggs (in 2019) and then Carlos Dunlap (in 2020) were able to compensate for these losses.
Prognosis
The Seahawks have enough to beat Rams deprived of Jared Goff then the defense against the race of Seattle (5th) could stop the assaults of Alvin Kamara. As for the Packers, their run defense will struggle to stop Seattle’s ground game.
But of course, one march after another: beating the Rams, already, will not be easy far from it.
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