The Seahawks open their season on the road today against the Colts, a tough team that went 11-5 last year.
Here are a couple of keys to a Week 1 victory for Seattle.
Offense: Air it out
There’s been a long-running tension between Pete Carroll’s desire to have a ball-control offense and Russell Wilson’s prodigious talents as a passer. This is one matchup where it would be wiser to let Wilson off the leash. Indianapolis was one of the top run defense teams in the NFL last season, holding opponents to just 90 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Colts are also missing their best cornerback in Xavier Rhodes. Coach Carroll and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron should embrace an aggressive passing attack, at least until they have a comfortable lead.
Defense: Make Carson Wentz beat you
On the other side of the ball the key will be to make Indianapolis throw. This has been a run-heavy team since Andrew Luck’s retirement and that’s unlikely to change with Carson Wentz under center. Wentz has also struggled against Seattle in the past, going 0-4 as a starter and throwing as many intereptions (six) as touchdown passes. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. should be keying in against the run, especially with T.Y. Hilton out. If Wentz is going to turn back the clock to 2017 and thrive, so be it. They can’t allow Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines to run wild.
[lawrence-related id=75091]
[listicle id=75016]