Seahawks vs Panthers: Breaking down Seattle’s offensive game plan

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks are in Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Here are three parts of their offensive game plan to beat the Panthers.

Seattle’s offense hasn’t always been the strength of the team this season. Before the bye, it was a major liability. Recently though, the offensive line has come together and offense has become a strength.

The Seahawks don’t use a varied running game with their zone blocking scheme. They do a few things, but do them out of many formations and looks to keep teams guessing.

The passing game is similar, though it has become increasingly diverse since the bye week. Every hinges on the offensive line’s ability to protect Russell Wilson.

This is the first of a two-part look at the Seahawks’ game plan. The defensive side up of the ball will be posted later today.

When Seattle has the ball

1. Get a body on Kuechly

The Seahawks like to run the football. Even with the recent emergence of Russell Wilson as one of the league’s best passers, this is still a team with a running identity.

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Carolina Panthers fan of middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) shows off his sign during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Carolina Panthers fan of middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) shows off his sign during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Unfortunately, the Carolina Panthers are not an easy team to run against. On top of having a pair of very good defensive tackle that are difficult to block, they also have arguably the best middle linebacker in the NFL.

Luke Kuechly’s speed to the hole and sure tackling are a major problem when trying to run against the Panthers. The Seahawks need to get a body on him, or they’re going to have a tough time running on Sunday.

This is often easier said than done. Committing a guard to Keuchly means no double teams on Carolina’s tremendous DTs. Using a fullback to block him means seeing extra defenders in the box.

But that doesn’t change the fact that getting a body on Kuechly must be done. He doesn’t get caught up in traffic, and he doesn’t miss tackles.

2. Attack their #2 and #3 cornerbacks

Josh Norman is an amazing cornerback (even with that incident with Odell Beckham Jr. included). The other cornerbacks in Carolina for this weekend aren’t even close. This presents a major opportunity for the Seahawks.

Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) breaks away from Carolina Panthers defensive back Cortland Finnegan (26) and cornerback Charles Tillman (31) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Carolina Panthers defeat the New York Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) breaks away from Carolina Panthers defensive back Cortland Finnegan (26) and cornerback Charles Tillman (31) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Carolina Panthers defeat the New York Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /

Injuries have clearly weakened Carolina’s secondary. Cortland Finnegan was a decent corner in 2011. It is no longer 2011. He’ll start opposite Norman on Sunday.

Norman doesn’t stay on one side, but he also almost never moves inside on the slot receiver. The Seahawks can use these tendencies to manipulate coverage to their liking.

By using motion to get Norman covering Kevin Smith or Kasen Williams, the Seahawks can keep Baldwin and Lockett on guys who have no hope of covering them.

3. Move the pocket to help the interior line

Despite all their improvement, the offensive line is still this team’s greatest weakness. The problems showed up in Week 16 against the Rams, and they surfaced again last week against the Vikings.

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Wilson often negates the line’s struggles with his ability to avoid sacks, but the Rams and Vikings took that away from Seattle by generating pressure up the middle. Carolina has the DTs necessary to follow that gameplan.

Both Star Lotulelei and Kenwann Short present major concerns for Seattle’s interior line. This isn’t a good matchup for the Seahawks’ offense.

Seattle can help their line by not having Wilson drop straight back on every pass play. It doesn’t have to be a huge rollout or bootleg either, just shifting the pocket by 3 yards either left or right can greatly help the interior linemen.

This helps the interior, but puts more pressure on the tackles. Using a TE to help on the roll-side of the line will be imperative for this idea to work.