4. Can the Seahawks’ run defense dominate again and stop Breece Hall? And on the other hand, can the Seahawks’ running game finally get going?
The Seahawks have improved significantly defensively in recent games, and a key part of that improvement is their performance against the run game. Before the bye week, they held the Rams to 68 rushing yards and an average of 2.8 yards per rush attempt. Last week, they limited the Cardinals to 49 rushing yards, including just eight yards on seven attempts from their top rusher, James Connor. The 49ers managed slightly more, gaining 131 yards on the ground, but a significant portion of that came from Brock Purdy’s scrambles. The Seahawks also had significantly more success stopping the 49ers’ star running back Christian McCaffrey than in previous encounters. They held him to 79 yards on 19 carries.
On paper, the Jets’ running game, which ranks 30th in yards gained, 31st in attempts and 22nd in yards per rush attempt, might not seem all that threatening. But the presence of the explosive Breece Hall, in his third year in the league, means the Seahawks will have to be vigilant against both the run and the pass.
Hall was drafted just five spots ahead of Kenneth Walker III, and like his fellow second-round pick in the 2022 draft, Hall is an explosive running back who can make a big play every time he touches the ball.
Hall has only had one 100-yard game so far this season and has rushed for 632 total yards and four touchdowns. But despite these seemingly modest figures, one should not underestimate him. A look at his average yards per carry shows that he has averaged at least 4.9 yards per carry in each of the last four games. In addition to his yardage, Hall has 401 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, meaning the Seahawks must have a good plan for him every time he’s on the field.
“He has incredible breakaway speed and runs with a lot of power,” Macdonald said. “How he takes certain routes is not unique, but it is characteristic of his running style. We have to do excellent preparation throughout the week. His ability after the catch and his breakaway speed make him dangerous. We play against great players every week “We have to adapt our game system accordingly, but it will definitely require the work of all eleven defenders. We have to find the right angles, tackle solidly and get to the ball.”
On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks are hoping to finally establish a strong running game after struggling to find consistency in that area this season. However, both Macdonald and Grubb saw encouraging signs, particularly some good runs late in the game when they sealed the win against the Cardinals with a long drive. Overall, though, it’s been a tough year for the running game, as the Seahawks rank 28th in both rushing yards and yards per carry (3.9).
“I think the most important thing is that we were able to run the ball when we needed to,” Grubb said. “At the end of the game, when it mattered most, I think we executed best. That’s the part you have to build on: when it really mattered, in critical situations, and we hold the ball for eight minutes “We had to do it. That gives us a lot of hope that we’re on the right track.”
