Clark’s development key to Seahawks front 7

Seahawks vs Ravens could hinge on the performance of these three players.

On it’s surface, the Seahawks vs Ravens matchup Sunday doesn’t look like a fair fight. The Hawks are on an inspired roll, winning five of their last 6 and averaging over 34 points a game since their bye week. The Ravens, meanwhile, are 4-8 and so injury-depleted that they face the real prospect of facing Seattle with Javorious Allen starting at RB and (pause for effect………….) Jimmy Clausen at QB.

Vegas doesn’t think it will be a game, currently listing Seattle as an 11.5 point favorite. The pundits don’t think so……… hell, NO ONE does.

But we’ve all seen enough pro football in our lifetimes to know that nothing can be taken for granted. You could make a case that this is a trap game of sorts for the Hawks; travelling to the east coast to play a 10am game that was originally set as a Sunday Night Football national game, against a team last looks more USFL than NFL. And coming off a key playoff-tinged showdown (and subsequent beat down) last week in Minnesota.

But if the Seahawks are to take care of business and continue their roll towards a likely playoff berth, the performance of these three players will be something to watch.

FRANK THE TANK:

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Clark has been largely invisible since his dominating preseason performance that had us all drooling over the potential of the 2nd round pick from Michigan. But last week in Minnesota we saw him slide inside to defensive tackle. The move was made necessary by injuries to Jordan Hill and Demarcus Dobbs, but may have been a career-booster and a huge boon to Seattle’s defensive front. He was credited with two sacks and two passes defensed, and seemed to be in the area on just about every play.

The knock on Clark coming out of college (at least the on-field knock) was that he lacked the sudden burst to be an elite outside pass rusher from the DE spot. Against the Vikings he looked more like Michael Bennet 2.0, clearly out-quicking whoever lined up against him. The question is, can we see him perform this well in back-to-back games? With Hill and Dobbs still ailing, he’ll get a shot to answer that on Sunday.

Next: Can Wilson stay hot?