@Calvpaz asks, “Are the Seahawks serious Super Bowl candidates?”
A: Yes, both in the sense that, by going to the playoffs with at least one home game, they are in a position that only a handful of the 32 teams have reached this season, and also that they have beaten the necessary someone on any given Sunday.
While the Seahawks offense is not performing quite as well as it was early in the season – and if you look at the league, many offenses have cooled down a bit from their early season pace – Russell Wilson’s play in the second half Sunday , in which he achieved a 137.0 passer rating, completing 10 of 13 passes against one of the league’s best defenses, was very encouraging. The Seahawks running game also got better as the season went on, and with a healthy Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde and Rashaad Penny, it could be an important part of their game in the post-season.
But the biggest reason for optimism about the Seahawks’ chances is the improvement in defense, which has allowed only 15 points per game over the past seven games, the least in the NFL. Earlier this season, the Seahawks needed Wilson and the offense to be on or near their best for the team to win, but with a defense that plays it well, the Seahawks can win in just about any type of game, from a shootout to a low-score, defensive ratio.
And lastly, I would be sad if I did not mention special teams, which was the most constant element of Seattle’s game this season. In addition to having two Pro Bowlers in long snapper Tyler Ott and fullback Nick Bellore, kicker Jason Myers and punter Michael Dickson both play at a Pro Bowl level, even if they did not get the honor, and the cover units, led by The Game of Bellore were outstanding all year long. In a close playoff game, such special teams can make the difference.
@Odinbn asks: ‘Has my forecast of 1400 meters and 12 touchdown still been reached for DK Metcalf?
A: Metcalf, who currently has 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, will have to have a good game to reach the forecast, but it is certainly not out of reach. Metcalf darkened the 118 yards he would need twice this year to reach the point, and had two games with two touchdowns. And the one game where he scored both points was by chance in Week 8 against the team he would see this weekend, with Metcalf catching 12 passes for 161 yards and two scores.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on with Metcalf, with just 6 yards, and he will break Steve Largent’s franchise record for the single – season receiving yard.
@SamithGanesh asks, “What happens to Marquise Blair who returns next year?”
A: The short answer is that the secondary is somehow getting better.
The Seahawks were happy to play Ugo Amadi strongly in the nickel role this season, but it must not be forgotten how impressive Blair was in training camp after taking over the role. The most obvious answer is that Blair and Amadi will compete for the nickel role, but there is also a good chance. If everyone is healthy, the Seahawks can sometimes get creative using both, given how well Amadi played. A healthy Blair also gives the Seahawks a good depth in his original safety position behind Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs.
We are still far from figuring out what the 2021 secondary is going to look like, but a healthy Blair will somehow make it better.
@MatthewSugiyama asks, “Bobby Wagner bruise update?”
A: This is a reference to Carroll who said after Sunday’s game that Wagner had a bruised forearm. A day later, Carroll joked with Wagner: “Let’s not even look at it, so I think he’s OK.”
ThatWiiMaster asks, “Is there a possibility that the Seahawks will bring Bruce Irvin back next year if he accepts that he is willing to play healthy?”
A: Possible, sure? Irvin’s ACL injury occurred early enough in the season that he would likely be healthy at the start of next season, and the Seahawks thought enough of him in 2020 to sign him, so they would probably consider it again if Irvin would be interested in coming back. It will take a lot to make it happen, from Irvin deciding he wants to keep playing in his tenth season, to the money that is right for him and the Seahawks, but as is well known Carroll and John Schneider say: a team can never have too many pass-rushers, so a reunion can definitely make sense.
Oh, and there’s also this one from Irvin in October: