Seahawks vs Saints: Our staff remains ever-hopeful in week 7
By Lee Vowell
The 2-4 Seahawks play the 3-2 Saints on Monday Night Football in week 7 of the 2021 season. Seattle will once again be playing without quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Chris Carson. The team could also be without left guard Damien Lewis and edge rusher Darrell Taylor.
Taylor, while a game-time decision, seems likely to play. So does running back Alex Collins who ran for over 100 yards in week 6 before suffering glute and hip injuries. Collins missed the last six minutes of regulation and overtime against the Steelers.
So let’s assume everyone is available to play for Seattle. Should they be expected to defeat the Saints? Based on how much Seattle trusted Geno Smith to throw it downfield against Pittsburgh, meaning not much at all, then no. New Orleans has a better defense (2nd overall in the NFL in total yards allowed per game, first in yards allowed per rush and second in QBR-allowed) and would limit a conservative Seahawks offense.
Staff predictions for Seahawks versus Saints week 7
Defensively, the Saints haven’t shown they really trust their own quarterback Jameis Winston much either. Winston is 31st in the league in attempts. Winston has a history of throwing interceptions so I assume New Orleans knows its defense is good enough to win games as long as Winston doesn’t give the ball away.
To me, and most of the rest of the staff below disagrees with me, I don’t see how Seattle wins. Even with a healthy Russell Wilson this would be a tough game for the offense but without the threat of loosening the Saints defense with some deep pass attempts New Orleans can simply be more aggressive and stuff the run.
Staff predictions for Seahawks vs Saints week 7
Todd Vandenberg: Seattle 29 Saints 25
Geoff Shull: Seattle 20 Saints 17
Max Downard: Saints 31 Seahawks 24
Jake Luppino: Seattle 24 Saints 20
Andrew Bailie: Seattle 20 Saints 16
Carson Schroer: Seattle 23 Saints 21
Kevin Daggett: Saints 28 Seahawks 21
Lee Vowell: Saints 23 Seahawks 10