Three reasons for concern for Seahawks vs Colts week one
The Seahawks play the Colts in week one of the 2021 season on the road. There are several reasons 12s should be concerned for the first game of the season. Not that Seattle can’t win, they can. But week ones are always weird. Here are three reasons to be concerned on Sunday.
1. The Colts rushing defense
The Colts have a strong rushing defense which finished 2020 with the second-best rushing defense in the NFL per ESPN Stats. Should the Seahawks run the ball too much, they will run the risk of being stifled offensively. This might be a game where the Seahawks will need to “Let Russ Cook” to move the ball down field against a tough front seven.
However, Pete Carroll has been reluctant to allow Russell Wilson the freedom to throw at will. Carroll prefers to keep a balance between the run and the pass, often choosing to use the run to set up the pass. In this game if the Seahawks do not choose to use the pass to set up the run, they could struggle early on offense.
Seahawks have concerns against Colts
2. The Colts turnover margin is scary good
Pete Carroll often stresses the importance of taking care of the ball and winning the turnover margin. Carroll knows this is important because often when the Seahawks win the turnover margin, they win the game.
The Seahawks were undefeated when they won the turnover margin or tied the turnover margin with their opponents last season, and they were winless in each of the games they lost the turnover margin. Last year according to ESPN Stats, the Colts finished with the second-best turnover margin in football, and they were +10 in turnover margin.
3. The Colts have a strong running game
The Seahawks were one of the best teams in the NFL last season at stopping the run. Their front seven will face a tough offensive line and rushing attack from the Colts in week one. Jonathan Taylor returns off a strong rookie season where he finished with 1,169 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns per ESPN.
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Taylor is a bruising running back who knows how to grind out tough yards and will be difficult to tackle. With KJ Wright no longer with the Seahawks, another linebacker will need to step up in his place to stop Taylor.