With how frequently offenses are throwing the ball and putting three receivers on the field, few teams still play their base defense a majority of the time. Nickel packages have become the preferred defense of many teams, putting five defensive backs out there to match the opposing personnel.
The Seahawks are one of the exceptions to that rule, often staying in their base 4-3 defense this season. With three quality linebackers in Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks, why wouldn’t they play their best defenders most of the time?
Each of those three linebackers has played at least 71% of the snaps this season with Bobby Wagner never missing a single play. Wright has played 94.7%, too, hardly ever coming off the field.
The Seahawks could be forced out of their comfort zone by the Rams on Sunday night for two reasons. Not only do the Rams use 11 personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 RB) 77% of the time – the second-highest rate in the NFL – but the Seahawks will most likely be without one of their top three linebackers.
Kendricks is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, which is certainly notable for the Seahawks. But even if Kendricks plays (and is healthy), Seattle will still have to get away from its base 4-3 scheme.
Matching the speed of Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks with only two cornerbacks and three linebackers would be tough. With Kendricks injured, the Seahawks essentially have no choice but to use nickel packages often.
Pete Carroll said as much Friday ahead of the game.
Pete Carroll makes it sound as if LB Mychal Kendricks won’t play Sunday. Coach comes right out and says “it might cause us to play more nickel” at Rams. #Seahawks played it 47% of time, most this season, vs LA last time. And that was with Kendricks healthy. pic.twitter.com/1xkv5N12QF
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 6, 2019
It remains to be seen who the Seahawks’ nickel defender will be on Sunday night. Cornerback Akeem King handled those duties last week against the Vikings, but he’s better against tight ends than he is wide receivers.
Instead, we could see rookie Ugo Amadi get some looks in the slot. Cooper Kupp is one of the best slot receivers in the league, so containing him could be a challenge – especially if it’s a fourth-round rookie with 21 defensive snaps played in his career lining up across from Kupp in coverage.
The Rams have the advantage in this aspect, because of how comfortable the Seahawks are in their base defense, but executing and capitalizing on opportunities is another story. We’ll see if they can do that in a near-must-win game this weekend.
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