Seahawks Forced to Stay Home, Watch Superior Offensive Schemes
The worst part about being eliminated early in the playoffs is that you are forced to watch the rest of the playoffs wondering what could've been. The team that upset the Seahawks, the Rams, squared off against the Packers in Green Bay. These two teams displayed offensive schemes that should have Seahawks fans and coaches taking notes.
The main reason why the Seahawks were sent home after one playoff game was their inability to adjust on offense. Their stubbornness and lack of flexibility cost them a date with the Saints with a trip to the NFC title game on the line.
Watching the Packers and Rams as a Seahawks fan was a painful reminder of how far behind the Seahawks are offensively and it displayed what creativity and flexibility looks like. Seahawks fans watched that matchup green with envy.
One play in particular that stood out was the goal line play where Aaron Rodgers sent Davante Adams in motion and then reversed motion to shake him loose from All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey, resulting in an easy touchdown, which caused Ramsey to stomp and scream in frustration.
It sure would be nice if the Seahawks could bring out these emotions in the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
The Packers have been one of the most explosive offenses in all of football this year. Like the Seahawks, they were unafraid to push the ball downfield with their all-world talent at quarterback and receiver. However, the Packers adjusted to the Rams' defensive game plan, which was to take away the explosive play and force them to find ways to get yards underneath, which they did.
The Packers did what the Seahawks did not, which was show a willingness to adjust and take what the defense gives them. Then, the explosive plays opened up, such as the game-clinching touchdown pass from Rodgers to Allen Lazard for 58 yards.
On the Rams side, Sean McVay is of course one of the better offensive minds in the NFL. The hook-and-ladder play to convert the two-point conversion was a thing of beauty.
The point is that the Seahawks have a lot to learn from the teams that are still playing. Pete Carroll and the front office need to search far and wide for an offensive coordinator that shows a willingness to adjust on the fly and can also be creative and innovative, such as the offenses displayed in Saturday's Divisional Round.
There are plenty of offensive coordinator candidates that are willing to stretch themselves and be flexible. Mike Kafka is the passing coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the most innovative offenses in the league, under Andy Reid's tutelage. Doug Pederson, at times, created inspiring game plans for the Eagles' offense when he was the head man in Philly. Aaron Kromer is with McVay in Los Angeles right now as the offensive line coach. The Rams boast one of the most dynamic rushing attacks in the game.
Whoever Seattle brings in to fill that role previously held by Brian Schottenheimer, they need to be sure they learn from the mistakes of the 2020 Seahawks and "adapt or die." There are clear examples of what could be in Seattle all over the NFL playoffs. They just need to pay attention.
