Seahawks would have zero excuses for no sacks versus Cardinals

For a team struggling with its pass rush, the Seahawks would have no excuses for not getting to Kyler Murray multiple times in week four.

The Seahawks signed Ziggy Ansah this offseason to replace Frank Clark. Clark was traded before the 2019 NFL draft and in return for that Seattle took one of the picks they got from the Chiefs and used that to get Jadeveon Clowney. Seattle, in theory, is in a very good position at defensive end. Again, in theory.

Against the Saints on Sunday, Seattle generated very little pressure on New Orleans quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Part of that was because the Saints designed a game plan that had Bridgewater get the ball out of his hands in about two seconds. Still, it would have been nice to see the Seahawks get some immediate push against the Saints.

New Orleans has a good offensive line, though, so maybe getting so little pressure isn’t entirely the fault of Seattle; Lack of pressure and sacks had something to do with the skill of New Orleans as well. The Cardinals’ offensive line, however, does not have anywhere near the same kind of ability as the Saints’.

In week three, Kyler Murray was sacked 8 times against the Panthers, four of them from defensive linemen. Through three games, Murray has been taken down on 10.5 percent of his drop backs. For a rookie still trying to find his way in the NFL, even one with a lot of skill, being under pressure so much means mistakes will happen. Murray was intercepted twice against Carolina.

The Cardinals have given up 16 sacks through three games, second-worst in the NFL and one behind the Titans’ 17. Arizona is 14th in average yards per rush at 4.5, but take away Murray’s scrambling runs and that falls to 3.9. The Cardinals offensive line is not good and Seattle has to take advantage of this.

But the Seahawks are 21st in the NFL with just 6 sacks and 5 of those came in week one. They got zero in week three against a backup quarterback for New Orleans. This can’t happen against the Cardinals. Seattle is 23rd in sack percentage in 2019, according to Football Outsiders. Maybe they haven’t had Ziggy Ansah all season, just in week three. But they have him now, along with Jadeveon Clowney.

For Seattle to beat the Cardinals on Sunday, they need to do several things right. One of those, and maybe most importantly, is to put pressure on Kyler Murray. Arizona has a bad offensive line. So if Seattle can’t get pressure, they only have themselves to blame and it could cost them the game.