Seattle Seahawks September 2020 preview
By Jake Luppino
The Seattle Seahawks make their 2020 primetime debut in week 2 on Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots
Sunday, September 20, 2020: Week 2 – New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks
Since the Pete Carroll era, the Seattle Seahawks are 29-6-1 in primetime games. They are 19-2 in primetime at home. For this upcoming 2020 season, the Seattle Seahawks are set to have four primetime games. The first coming in week 2 on Sunday Night Football in CenturyLink Field against the New England Patriots.
The New England Patriots have seen a lot of roster turnover since the departure of 6-time Super Bowl Champion, Tom Brady. Many feel as if the dynasty is over in New England. Others are imposing that the Patriots will be “tanking” this year in an attempt to land QB Trevor Lawerence in 2021. My gut feeling is telling me, never count out Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick. Both Coach Belichick and Brady have egos that will fuel their fire for this upcoming season. They both have something to prove to themselves as well as to the rest of the league: one can win without the other.
Brady is the beneficiary of the breakup as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the most explosive offenses in the entire NFL. The Patriots on the other hand, have a middle-in-pact offense. Last year, the Patriots passing offense ranked 15th in the NFL. Their rushing attack ranked 19th.
What many felt as Brady’s decline were sadly mistaken as the Patriots lack of weaponry led to them struggling. According to patriots.com, the New England offense struggled mightily on both third down and in the red zone:
"15th third-down offense – 39.7 percent is third-lowest under Brady (2013 – 37.6 percent, 2003 – 37.0 percent) 21st Red Zone offense – 50.0 percent is lowest since 2003, average is 60.4 percent."
The website also provides content on the New England Rushing attack:
"29th Stuffed Run Rank – percentage of runs stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage. 30th Open Field Rank – yard earned by running backs 10 yards-or-more past the line of scrimmage. 22nd Power Rank – percentage of runs on third or fourth down, two yards or less to go, that achieved a first down or touchdown"
Unfortunately for New England, not much has changed on the offensive side of the ball except for the signing of QB Cam Newton. Newton has struggled with numerous injuries over the years and league experts are not sure if he will be able to recapture his MVP ways.
What Will Determine the Outcome: Seattle’s Defense will Dominant
This week 2 matchup against New England under the bright lights on a nationally televised game will allow the Seahawks defense to make a statement. They will be going up against a relatively inferior offense and will have a chance to assert their dominance.
In 2019, PFF ranked Seattle’s pass coverage as 15th in the NFL. Seattle, running a lot of cover 3 defense did a good job of holding up on the backend. Their philosophy of “keep everything in front of you” worked well last year as four of their starting secondary earned coverage grades of 75.0 or higher. This year, Seattle’s secondary is new and improved. After the acquisition of both Quinton Dunbar and Jamal Adams, the Seahawks backend should be able to force more turnovers and lock more opposing offenses down.
Against New England, I do not see the pass rush being effective as Cam Newton is mobile and can make plays with his feet. But, I do see the coverage being so well that it leads to “coverage sacks”. Also, with Wagner and in certain cases, Adams, spying on Newton, the Seahawks should be able to hold their own and keep Newton from escaping, preventing big plays down the field.
New England will also be missing a few key pieces on defense due to players opting out of the 2020 season. Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung have decided to opt-out with concerns over the coronavirus. In free agency, the Patriots also saw LB Kyle Van Noy and Danny Shelton find new homes.
Russell Wilson never disappoints in prime time games, especially at home (even though no fans will be present). Under the lights, I see the Seahawks getting the job done with ease over the new look Patriots.
Spread: Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) | New England Patriots (+3.5)
Source: DraftKings
Final Score: Seahawks 31 – 14 Patriots
Seattle Seahawks Record: 2-0