Seahawks vs. Cowboys: Position by position breakdown
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks absolutely have to win on Sunday or there is no hope for the playoffs in 2018. But where do they have the advantage over the Cowboys?
Please let the Seahawks win on Sunday. 12s and myself need this. It honestly feels like decades since Seattle has been in an early season position of knowing they won’t make the playoffs. A loss on Sunday to the Cowboys and Seattle might as well start making offseason plans for January.
But the Seahawks do have some position groups that are better than Dallas’s. And really, if offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer would call a good game, Russell Wilson could lead the Seahawks to a win. In fact, Wilson is better than his counterpart, Dak Prescott.
And this is but one position where Seattle is better than Dallas. Here is a look at every unit and who has the advantage on Sunday.
Offense
Quarterback
Ok. So I already gave this one away. But Seattle has the better quarterback. Wilson, at times in his career if not in 2018 yet, has proven he can carry the offense to victories. Last year Wilson led the NFL in touchdown passes. Prescott, for the most part, has relied on a great offensive line and great running back (Ezekiel Elliott) for wins in Dallas. Prescott is good but he is not Wilson. Not historical Wilson anyway.
Advantage: Seahawks
Running back
I really want to give this an “incomplete” on advantage because Seattle hasn’t used their running backs in any meaningful way. For the Seahawks to win on Sunday, Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny need to get the ball. We know that Elliott will get the ball a lot. Seattle needs to slow him down or Dallas will simply outscore Seattle.
Advantage: Cowboys
Wide receiver/tight end
Seattle is, of course, still without Doug Baldwin. He would be far and away the best receiver in this game were he playing but he is not. Still, the Seahawks – on paper – have the better group, especially as Tyler Lockett and Will Dissly are off to decent starts in 2018. Not one of the Cowboys receivers is scary but all are capable of decent days against whoever plays opposite Seattle corner Shaquill Griffin.
Advantage: Seahawks
Offensive line
Dallas has a very clear advantage here. The Cowboys, led by Zach Martin, have a very good line. Seattle, even though they have Duane Brown, do not. Plus, the Seahawks will be without another starter this week as Ethan Pocic will miss the game with an ankle injury.
Advantage: Cowboys