The Seattle Seahawks have no chance to be Super Bowl contenders if they do not improve on the defensive side of the ball, where they have struggled immensely throughout the entire 2020 season.
They simply cannot win consistently without the offense and quarterback Russell Wilson playing at his best and that has never been more evident than in the team’s 37-34 overtime loss to the Cardinals Week 7. Linebacker Bobby Wagner told reporters that the defense is not anywhere near its destination and that the players must improve in every facet of play.
“We’re not where we want to be,” Wagner said in the wake of the ill-fated contest. “We have to play better, we have to execute the plays better, be more consistent. We have to find a way to get off the field. We can’t put the offense in the situation that we put them, can’t make penalties that we had to extend drives, we have to find a way to get off the field. We’re not where we want to be. It’s going to take some focus. At this point, you’ve just got to make your mind up and say you want to play good defense, period.”
Coach Pete Carroll agreed with Wagner’s assertions and stated that they are all committed to defensive improvement but noted that it may not come immediately, as is often the case in such situations.
“Going into last week, we really wanted to see if we could make a move here, get going in a direction we really felt better about,” Carroll said. “Just because you want to doesn’t mean that happens right away; it takes some time. So as we continue, I totally am planning on us turning, and being at the top end of our game. It’s out there for us, and we’re going to keep battling to get it done. I agree with Bobby, he’s on point. Everybody’s working at it, we got a great attitude about it, the guys are spending their time studying and all that. We got to get our combinations of guys right and max out and make sure we’re really, really clean with our execution. That’s coming. How long can I keep telling you that it’s coming? But our best football is still ahead of us, there’s no question in my mind.”
Let’s hope Carroll is right and the Seahawks defense improves to help the offense on a more consistent basis. The team will certainly need it if they wish to become true contenders this year.
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