Fresh off a much needed bye week, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Seattle to face a 5-5 Seahawks team that has been a far cry from the one we have grown accustomed to in recent years. After back to back NFC championships, the Seahawks have struggled to find the consistency that has made them one of the best teams in the league throughout head coach Pete Carroll’s tenure in Seattle.
The Steelers are rested and looking to build off a two straight wins that coupled with the Cincinnati Bengals recent struggles, have them thinking about a final push that might not only mean a playoff birth, but a second consecutive AFC North title.
Both teams have a lot to play for in what should be a exciting test for the Steelers. Let’s preview the game and make a prediction.
When: 4:25 p.m.
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Wa.
Watch: CBS
Spread: Seattle (-3.5)
Series History: 8-8
Last regular season meeting: 9/18/11-Steelers 24 Seahawks 0
Three keys to Steelers victory:
Contain the Seahawks running game — Marshawn Lynch is out this week — great news, right? Maybe not when you consider backup Thomas Rawls has been exceptional for the NFL’s top rushing attack that averages 148.6 yards per game. Despite of only starting four games this season, Rawls has rushed for 604 yards, and in three of those games he’s eclipsed the century mark.
This includes last week’s 30 carry, 209-yard effort against the 49ers that also included three catches for an additional 46 yards and two TD’s for the day. Rawls is a compact, powerful runner who is similar to Ray Rice at his peak. The Steelers must limit his effectiveness, or it could open up the play action passing game for Russell Wilson.
Find a way to make plays with balance on offense — You may have heard that the Seahawks defense is “down” or that the Steelers offense is going to have a field day Sunday. Although the potent Steelers offense might have success, don’t believe for a second it’s not going to be a challenge.
The Seahawks defense ranks second in the NFL in total yards allowed, giving up a paltry 304 yards a game. It starts with a pass defense that can suffocate the league’s best passing attacks and ranks only behind Denver in passing yards allowed. You better believe the “Legion of Boom” is looking forward to the challenge of stopping Ben Roethlisberger and his wide receiving tandem of Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant.
Success through the air might be reliant on the Steelers getting DeAngelo Williams rolling on the ground. If Roethlisberger is forced to pass more than 30 times in this contest, it might be a sign the Steelers are in big trouble.
Start fast — No stadium has a bigger advantage when it comes to the home crowd than CenturyLink. The combination of “12th man” fan base and the configuration of the stadium makes for noise that can be deafening. That being said, at 5-5 and on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, the Seahawks are in a precarious position they are not used to.
Add rumors that Carroll might be looking to head back to the college football ranks and the seed of doubt could be planted with a fast start. Get an early lead and the Steelers could quiet the notorious home crowd and get players to quit on a season that is on the precipice.
Three keys to Seahawks victory:
Get Jimmy Graham involved — Although Jimmy Graham ranks in the top 10 in receptions for tight ends with 44, his overall contributions as a member of the Seahawks are a far cry than his time with the New Orleans Saints. With the Saints, Graham was considered to be in the discussion as the best receiving tight end in the game, but that has not been the case with the Seahawks.
A red-zone monster with the Saints, Graham only has two touchdowns through 10 games with the Seahawks. A lot of this lack of production has to do with adjusting to a new quarterback and offense, but now facing a Steelers defense that has well documented struggles against top tight ends, this might be a game where Graham could make a significant impact.
Protect Wilson — For all the success the Seahawks have had on the ground, the Seahawks struggles passing the ball have been dogging them all season. One of the reasons for the lack of success passing (28th in ypg) is the inability of the offensive line to consistently protect Russell Wilson. Only the lowly Cleveland Browns have given up more sacks than the Seahawks, who have given up a whopping total of 35 so far this year.
The Steelers still rank in the top 10 in sacks with 29, but have been inconsistent in recent weeks getting pressure. If they are able to get to Wilson, the dynamic of the game will change, especially if the Seahawks get behind. It’s been a struggle for Wilson all year passing, and one of the biggest reasons is he has been running for his life all season.
Sherman vs. Brown: Who wins? — Expect one of the best cornerbacks in the league to shadow one of the best wide receivers all game long. Richard Sherman is a physical cornerback with a TON of swagger, while Brown is simply uncoverable one on one. Something has to give in this matchup, and if Sherman is able to neutralize Brown one on one, the Steelers might be in a lot of trouble. It’s going to be a tough task, but it could be a huge win for the Seahawks.
Prediction — This is as tough a call as I have had to make all season. The Seahawks are desperate and know how to win big games, especially at home. The Steelers might be as a good as any team in the NFL right now, and I include New England and Carolina when saying that. This is a massive test for the Steelers, if they get a win (and stay relatively healthy down the stretch) they might just run the table, win the division and make a deep run in the playoffs.
A loss means they are stuck fighting for a Wild Card down the stretch with little hope of catching the Bengals, who suddenly look like they are ripe for the picking. The Seahawks are going to fight for this one like a team that knows a loss will possibly end any hopes of winning a third straight NFC championship. The real question is will that be enough even at home? Unfortunately for Steelers fans, I’m afraid it might. Seahawks 27 Steelers 23
