Seahawks vs. Jaguars: Inside the offensive numbers

The Seahawks play on the very east coast on Sunday when they take on the Jaguars. Seattle is led by Russell Wilson. Jacksonville has Blake Bortles. How do the offenses matchup?

Both the Seahawks and Jaguars are 8-4. But if teams would have switched quarterbacks prior to 2017, I could argue Seattle would be 5-7 and Jacksonville 11-1. Wilson is better than Bortles. Though the defenses will determine this game, here is how the Seahawks offense matches up against the Jaguars’.

Rushing yards per attempt

Seattle: 3.9 yards per carry (22nd in the NFL)

Jacksonville: 4.5 (Fifth; First in rushing yards per game at 149.4)

There should be a disclaimer to this, though. Rookie back Leonard Fournette has been injured and playing for several weeks now. In the last four weeks, Fournette has averaged just 2.94 yards a carry since injuring his ankle. This doesn’t mean Seattle has it easier this week, however. The Jaguars know how to run block and have an offensive line built for it.

That said, Seattle’s run defense has been much improved the second half of the season. Sheldon Richardson eats up a lot of space and is active. He might eat the Jags whole line.

Third down conversions

Seattle: 41% (Eighth)

Jacksonville: 38% (21st)

There is really where the quarterbacks make a difference. Russell Wilson is better than Blake Bortles. Wilson picks up more first downs than does Bortles. One can assume that if the Seahawks can get Jacksonville into third-and-longs than Seattle has a much better shot at winning. Force Bortles to throw; That should be the game plan.

Points per game

Seattle: 24.2 (Ninth)

Jacksonville: 24.9 (Seventh)

That’s pretty close, right? The Seahawks and Jaguars have had five common opponents so far in 2017 – Arizona, the Rams, Houston, Tennessee and Indianapolis. In those games, Seattle is 4-1. Jacksonville is 3-3. In Seattle five games against common opponents the Seahawks average 30.8 points per game. Jacksonville averages 23.8 points per.

Of course, head-to-head against common opponents means very little, but the points per is worth noting and the record-against is as well.

If the Seahawks score 21 points on Sunday, they will win.

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