Seahawks X-Factors Who Could Make a Difference in Week 9
The Seahawks were able to rebound last week with a 27-20 win against the Matt Schaub-led Falcons, but they still found a way to make the game interesting in the second half.
After holding on for a seven-point victory in Atlanta, the Seahawks left plenty to be desired moving into the second half of the 2019 season. Up next on the schedule, longtime foe Bruce Arians and the Buccaneers will travel to CenturyLink Field, a venue Arians went 4-1 while coaching the Cardinals.
Despite a 2-5 record, Tampa Bay has plenty of talent and has been a tough opponent for Seattle in recent seasons. These three X-factors will need big games to remain in the win column in Week 9.
Offensive X-Factor: Joey Hunt
The Bucs bring in the No. 1 ranked defense against the run and are expecting to have Jason Pierre-Paul back in the lineup this week. The Seahawks offensive line should have their hands full this week trying to create running room for Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. This may very well be a game the Seahawks ride Russell Wilson and the passing attack to a victory. With Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh in the middle of the defense, the Bucs look to hold the advantage in the trenches, but the Seahawks are confident in the backup center Joey Hunt.
Hunt has never been a guy who can overpower defenders, but he has hung around through two different offensive line coaches because he is a technician. He went from sixth-round draft choice out of TCU to Swiss Army Knife on the offensive line, playing center, guard, and even tackle in a pinch. He will need to win with active hands and a low pad level against the Bucs bigger bodies in the middle while also communicating well. With Justin Britt done for the year, Hunt will need to be sharp both physically and mentally this week to ensure clean pockets and solid run lanes.
Defensive X-Factor: Tre Flowers
The Seahawks got an opportunity to see the depth of their secondary last week against the Falcons. When the game concluded, the value of Flowers to this defense couldn’t be higher. The Seahawks were torched by Julio Jones and surrendered 460 passing yards to the 38-year old Schaub. The Buccaneers have two outstanding receiving weapons of their own in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, who have each flourished in Arians’ vertical passing game and combined for over 1,300 receiving yards so far. I expect Flowers, who has played his best football recently, will be plastered all over Evans and be able to limit his ability after the catch. The Seahawks are certainly going to need him with the safety position being in transition and Arians wanting to take deep shots with Jameis Winston. Fortunately, Winston has always been an erratic, turnover prone quarterback. With 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year, Flowers should have plenty of opportunities to get his second career pick.
Special Teams X-Factor: Michael Dickson
Dickson struggled in the first half of the season to recapture his All-Pro magic from his rookie season. Through eight games, he’s averaging 46.2 yards per punt, which is only 20th in the league this season. Pete Carroll’s defense has relied on “bending but not breaking,” giving up yards underneath while aiming to take away deep, downfield pass plays over the top. They need every yard that Dickson can provide them pinning the Buccaneers deep to force them to make long drives. Granted, yardage isn’t everything if the team is punting from midfield, but Dickson is a weapon that the Seahawks need to reignite moving forward.
