These three Seahawks must have huge impacts against the Rams

The 2-2 Seahawks face the 4-0 Rams in Seattle on Sunday. For Seattle to win, these three players must have nearly perfect games.

The Seahawks have a tough task on Sunday. A team that just lost Earl Thomas, possibly the team’s second best defender after Bobby Wagner, will go up against an offense that ranks second in scoring in the NFL. Seattle could easily lose.

But will they? Anything is possible in the NFL. The Bills could beat the Vikings (which they did). The Lions could destroy the Patriots (which did happen). The Seahawks defeating Los Angeles, though unlikely, isn’t without hope.

For that to happen, these three players must be great for Seattle.

Nick Vannett

Vannett has flirted with being a pretty decent tight end in the NFL. So far, though, he hasn’t really blossomed. This preseason he had a couple of touchdown receptions and looked smooth catching the ball.

But Vannett was really drafted for his blocking acumen. Then Will Dissly happened. Dissly was a great drat pick out of Washington in 2018 and showed how awesome a blocker he was. But Dissly could also catch. In fact, Dissly had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown in week one. So Vannett took a backseat to Dissly.

But now Dissly is out for the year with a patellar injury. Vannett has to be Dissly. Vannett has to block for the running backs and score touchdowns. If Vannett can play extremely well against the Rams, he could put the Seahawks in a position to win the game.

Tedric Thompson

I know, this one is extremely obvious. With Thomas out forever, Thompson will play the majority of snaps that Thomas would have taken. Seattle’s defense isn’t as good without Thomas. But how much of a difference between when Thomas plays and when he doesn’t is completely up to Thompson.

Plus, Thompson could prove that Thomas isn’t worth even attempting to extend this offseason if Thompson plays extremely well. And if the Seahawks were to win on Sunday, you can bet that it is because Thompson had something to do with it.

Austin Calitro

K.J. Wright is once again out for the Seahawks. Wright is still dealing with a knee injury. In his place, Calitro has played pretty well. And Calitro played extremely well in place of Bobby Wagner in week two against the Chicago Bears.

The Rams will find a weakness to exploit in any defense. Los Angeles has the personnel and coaching to do so. But if Calitro can play as well in week five as he has in other games, the Rams won’t be picking on him. And he might just make one or two plays that turn the game in Seattle’s favor.