Seahawks seek oasis in the desert as they play the Cardinals Thursday

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The Seattle Seahawks have had some trouble scoring points this season and the defense isn’t able to clean up the offensive mess like in years past. The Seahawks 10th ranked offense in points per game are terribly skewed as they dropped 46 on the awful Colts defense and 41 points in a shootout against the Texans who lost their best defenders to injuries. Scoring 12 and 14 points respectively at home against the 49ers and Redskins is just unacceptable. Seattle is seeking a very important win in the desert Thursday night against the Cardinals. What looked like a cake-walk game a month ago has turned into a must-win situation almost every week given how well the Rams are playing ball.

Seattle may be playing for a wild-card spot as opposed to a bye and another NFC West division title. They’ll have to contend with a few teams to get a postseason berth like the one that just beat them last week. Those Redskins are a good football team and they made the big plays against “The Legion of Boom” when it counted to steal a victory at CenturyLink Field. Washington is a dangerous (4 – 4) team that plays better than their record indicates. They’re a playoff contender for sure! The Hawks are currently (5 – 3) but they have a tough road ahead which is why they need to beat the teams they’re supposed to like Arizona in their Week 10 match-up.

The Seahawks still have the Eagles, Rams, Jaguars, and Cowboys left to play on their schedule. The game against Dallas in week 16 is crucial and may determine whether or not they make the playoffs. The Cowboys are also (5 – 3) so this game could make the difference in a potential tie-breaker. The Panthers, Saints, and Vikings all have six wins. The Eagles are soaring with an (8 – 1) record and look like they’ll be the #1 seed in the NFC. Another team that has seemed to turn the corner are the Detroit Lions at (4 – 4). For the first time in about four years, we can say that the Seahawks are not a guaranteed playoff team.

I said the defense can’t really carry Russell Wilson and the boys like they had since he became a Seahawk. And nothing against Wilson because I think he’s a fantastic football player without a line to protect him or a running back to compliment him. But it’s fair to say that since Marshawn Lynch left, Seattle’s scheme hasn’t been working. Therefore I have to point my finger directly at longtime offensive coordinator for the Seahawks, Darrell Bevell. He’s been the OC for the Hawks since 2011 so he may be on the hot seat if he can’t get this offense in the end zone. Maybe the team needs a change in the coaching staff!

We know Seattle is going for it all again after trading for Duane Brown, Sheldon Richardson and even grabbing Dwight Freeney to rush the passer. The defense is doing there job but they’re on the field too much because of the offenses inability to sustain a long drive.

The Seahawks look for the long ball way too much. Without a rushing attack, Wilson is forced to scramble and make plays with his feet. He’s very elusive and rarely takes a big hit but one day he’s gonna get thumped by a 270-pound linebacker if Darrell Bevell doesn’t switch up the offensive game-plan. Seattle needs to throw more slants and hitch routes to get the ball into their playmakers’ hands. There aren’t many studs on offense but we know Doug Baldwin can be a beast, Jimmy Graham is still a threat and you have to love how Paul Richardson has become a polished wide receiver.

I believe if the Seahawks lose to the Cardinals Thursday night that their season is all but over. If they lose it will indicate that they don’t have what it takes to be a true contender in the NFC. If Seattle doesn’t beat Drew Stanton and the mediocre Cardinals then it’s a wrap. I know Arizona has a good defense and can cause turnovers quickly but the same can be said about the Seahawks. As long as Seattle’s defense can keep Adrian Peterson from going off then they should win this game by at least a touchdown. If Drew Stanton out-duels Russell Wilson then the Seahawks may as well stay in Arizona and bury themselves in the desert. I bet Pete Carroll is kicking himself for not pulling the trigger on trading for Peterson. Seattle has made quite a few moves this season getting some solid talent but perhaps they should have made one more move!

Prediction: Seahawks 20 – Cardinals 13