12th Man Rising
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Russell Wilson is the Seahawks running game now – or is he?

By Todd Vandenberg

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 22: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 22, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seattle Seahawks won 24-7. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 22: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 22, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seattle Seahawks won 24-7. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Since the Seahawks lost Chris Carson, it seems that Russell Wilson is the running attack. But is that really true? Maybe so…maybe not.

The Seahawks running game hasn’t been exactly the NFL’s best this year. At least with Chris Carson in the backfield, it was respectable. Since his injury, it seems that Russell Wilson is the only threat to run. But is that really true? Word of warning: this is going to get pretty mathy, people.

Let’s start with the Seahawks with Carson. He played in four games – and sadly is still their leading rusher despite missing the last three. Carson had 208 yards on 49 carries, a 4.2 yard average. Not bad at all. When you consider the next two running backs have done less than that, it’s astounding.

SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks hands off to running back Eddie Lacy #27 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks hands off to running back Eddie Lacy #27 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /

Lacy and Rawls not exactly getting it done

Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy have not lived up to expectations. I would prefer to have the duo of Cagney and Lacy in the backfield at this point. I’m pretty sure that Sharon Ferrell and Tyne Daly combined weigh about 240, so as great as they are, they’re not NFL running backs. And so far, neither are the two players we expected to revitalize the Seahawks running game.

The photo above captures the season of Lacy and Rawls so far. Yes, Lacy is setting his feet for his cut. But it sure looks like there is zero forward momentum, doesn’t it? And that describes the season of both running backs so far. No forward momentum.

Lacy has played in five games so far. He has 42 carries for 108 yards, a 2.6 average. Rawls has been in five games as well, and carried the ball 30 times for 59 yards. You have to round up to get a 2.0 yard average. They’ve combined for 168 yards in 10 games. That’s 40 fewer yards than Carson in more than twice as many games. Injuries are part of it, but they have to up their game.

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Should the Seahawks O line take some blame?

To some extent they should. But remember, it’s the same offensive line as Carson ran behind. Well, mostly the same. Left guard Luke Joeckel missed the last two games. Joeckel only graded out as the 48th best run blocking guard according to Pro Football Focus. Then again, that’s the best grade of any Seahawks guard.

Rawls and Lacy were actually decent against the New York Giants. They each had 11 carries, Rawls for 36 yards, Lacy for 34. Not great by any means, but compared to their performance against the Houston Texans, it was stellar. Losing one yard on 12 combined carries is an attack alright. It’s just not a running attack. More of an attack on decency.

The offensive line isn’t opening huge holes, but it’s not like Carson was running behind Jones and Hutchinson. He was getting decent production behind that line. Rawls and Lacy (and Prosise) need to step up.

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