What’s up, 12’s?! Welcome to this week’s edition of Talking Touchdowns.
A nine game win streak doesn’t scare the Seattle Seahawks one bit. In fact, they snapped the Eagles streak, winning 24-10 and put on a commanding primetime performance. The Seahawks are knee deep in the Wild Card hunt at 8-4 and need to finish strong. Next up the Seahawks travel to Jacksonville to face the Jags who are also 8-4. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
If last Sunday was a battle of the QBs, then this Sunday is most definitely a battle of the defenses. The Jags are ranked number 1 in total defense, scoring defense, passing defense, sacks and yards per play.
The Jags have a pair of defensive ends that prove to be the source of nightmares for every QB in the league. Calais Campbell, who’s tallied 12.5 sacks in his first season with Jacksonville and Yannick Ngakoue, who’s got 10 of his own, make up more than half of the 44 sacks owned by the league leading pass rush. If you thought Russell Wilson ran a lot on Sunday night, be prepared for even more with these two breathing down his neck.
Although Seattle’s pass rush may not be as menacing as they used to be, they are still a force to be reckoned with. Frank Clark took down Carson Wentz twice last Sunday and corner Justin Coleman stepped in for one of his own.
I know I’ve been talking about Bobby Wagner for weeks now, but geez, does this guy ever have an off night? Thankfully, the answer is no. He continues his reign of terror on opposing teams week after week, adding 13 more tackles to his impressive total.
Finally, Russell Wilson was not our leading rusher. Mike Davis broke off a couple nice runs totaling 64 yards in the game which is an impressive number for any Seattle running back this season. Let’s hope he continues to boost this less than mediocre run game.
From a lackluster run game to the league’s leading run game…Jags rookie RB Leonard Fournette said that the run game is in a lull right now and admits that the defense has won the last few games for them. However, the Jags are leading the league in rushing and Mr. Fournette has racked up 822 yards this season…if 193 yards in the last three games is a lull, then I don’t want to see him get hot again. Luckily, the Hawks run defense has been pretty consistent as of late.
If Seattle’s offensive line can hold it together enough to limit the hits and hurries for Russell Wilson and the defense can keep Leonard Fournette at bay, then we’ve got as good a chance as ever to nab back-to-back victories. I’m giving the W to the Hawks; however, I can guarantee it’s going to be a hard fought victory.
Go Hawks!
[NFL-Seahawks-footer]Photo Credits:
- Eagles on Wikimedia Commons by Philadelphia Eagles
- Jackson Jaguars on Wikimedia by SportsLogos.net
- Calais Campbell on Wikimedia Commons by Bigmanclay04
- Russell Wilson on Wikimedia Commons by Larry Maurer
- Frank Clark on Flickr by Mike Morris
- Bobby Wagner on flickr by Keith Allison