Few rivalries have supplied the level of histrionics as the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. The two bitter adversaries face off again to open up Week 7 on Thursday Night Football.
Perhaps no team has endured a more disappointing start to the season than the Seahawks. The two-time defending NFC champions have plummeted to a 2-4 start and currently trail the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams in the division. Though the season is still young, little time remains for Seattle to turn around its season.
The Seahawks' issues have come on both side of the ball. Even after regaining the services of Kam Chancellor after his two-game contract holdout, opposing teams have consistently abused new starting cornerback Cary Williams. In four of Seattle's first six games, quarterbacks posted a passer rating of 95 or more on balls thrown in Williams' direction. The corner has also garnered three penalties so far in 2015. With the pass rush showing some small signs of regression from a year ago, Williams' issues have become a massive area of concern for the team.
But the defense's problems pale in comparison to the offense. Seattle's offensive line, which lost guard James Carpenter in free agency and center Max Unger in an offseason trade, has become one of the worst units in the league. In six games, opposing teams have sacked Russell Wilson 26 times, putting the quarterback on pace for nearly 70 on the year. If the line cannot improve its play, Wilson is in danger of challenging David Carr for the most sacks taken in a single season ever (76). However, even if the Seahawks can keep their signal caller off the ground, the fact remains that the pass protection will limit what they can attempt on offense throughout the year.
And that's good news for the 49ers. While they do not appear likely to contend for the postseason, the Niners' defense performed admirably during their early schedule given their long list of offseason defections. Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks may not have household names, but the outside linebackers can generate pressure when called upon. Along the defensive line, youngsters Quinton Dial, Tank Carradine and 2015 first-round pick Arik Armstead have the potential to decimate Seattle's weakened interior.
But San Francisco's chances remain tied to the plight of quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Once viewed as a franchise cornerstone, Kaepernick struggled to open up the year, particularly in terms of ball placement and accuracy.
However, he played well the past two weeks, tossing four touchdowns against zero interceptions while completing nearly 63 percent of his passes. Significantly, he has begun to target free agent acquisition Torrey Smith more often. The two connected for 96 yards and a touchdown last weekend against the Baltimore Ravens and could do damage against the new-look "Legion of Boom" secondary. Even if the Seahawks manage to slow down Smith, veteran pass catchers Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis could post solid numbers.
The Seahawks and 49ers enter the week tied for last in the NFC West with identical 2-4 records.
0 comments:
Post a Comment