Seahawks should have no controversy at running back
The Seahawks have been blessed by the play of backup running back Alex Collins in the past few games. Does that mean that Chris Carson is headed for the bench when he’s healthy? No, and yes, and – well, it’s complicated.
Some people might say the Seahawks have found themselves in a good old-fashioned starter controversy. With Chris Carson out for the past few weeks, backup Alex Collins has proven to be more than up to the starting role. After all, Carson hasn’t had a 100-yard rushing game since week 15 of 2019, against the Panthers. Collins just managed it himself in the tough OT loss to the Steelers. So clearly when Carson is healthy, he’ll ride the pine while Collins starts, right?
No, not so clear at all. You need opportunities to get yards, 12s, and that’s something that the Seahawks have been quite stingy about this season. Actually, the Hawks haven’t run the ball much since that game in 2019. I’ve already lamented how Seattle has abandoned the run in the second half this year. In the loss to Tennessee, Carson got the ball just twice after the midway point of the third quarter. This is despite the fact that Seattle trailed by just a touchdown.
No running back controversy with Seahawks
The very next week against the Vikings, Chris Carson tallied 74 yards and a score on just 10 carries. So how did the Seahawks follow up that brilliant performance? Yes, 12s, we all know that they gave the ball to their workhorse just three more times the rest of the way. It wasn’t just resting Carson, either. Collins got 14 snaps vs the Vikes, yet had just one touch in the second half himself.
This brings us to Alex Collins. Yes, he had that excellent 100-yard game vs the Steelers. Of course, we know how that happened, right 12s? The Seahawks flipped the script. They abandoned the run in the first half this time, then turned to their running back in the second half. Collins had four carries in the first, yet finished the game with 20 carries. It’s a bit easier to get 100 yards when you get more carries.
I’m sure you’re all dying to know when the last time Chris Carson got at least 20 carries. You guessed it, 12s! It was that game in Carolina, coincidentally the last time he broke 100 yards. Funny how that works, isn’t it? Get more carries, you might get more yards. And by the way, coaches: running plays eat a lot more clock than passing plays. It might be nice to keep your defense on the bench for more than 20 minutes for a change.
dark. Next. Three takeaways from Hawks loss to Steelers
If the Hawks give Carson the opportunities, he’ll get the yards. It’s that simple. When he gets back on the field, he should absolutely be the starter. Here’s the thing; he doesn’t have to get 20 carries. I don’t care if he gets 100 yards every game. And I have him on my fantasy team, 12s. What I do care about is that the Seahawks run the ball. Give Carson 15 carries, but give Collins another 10. Stop this mindless “let’s throw the ball 20 times in the half and see what happens” offense. We’ve seen what happens, and it isn’t pretty. The only controversy in Seattle at running back is that the coaches can’t seem to remember they have them.