Seahawks will crush the Jaguars for first home win

The Seahawks will finally get their first home win of 2021 with a dominating performance over the Jaguars. Yes, I said dominating, and yes, I have evidence to support that statement.

That’s right 12s, I said the Seahawks will beat the Jaguars with a dominating performance. No, I’m not smoking anything, but the Hawks will smoke the Jags this Sunday. Not in the happy, “Hey let’s smoke a brisket for the weekend” way. More of a “We’ll take their lunch money and blow smoke in their faces” way. Not that I advocate bullying, but this is the NFL and the Hawks are overdue for a game like this. And the Jags are tailor-made for it.

First, let’s look at where the Seahawks stand. I get it. 2-5 is pretty ugly. But as our own Max Downard wrote, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. In addition to the impending return of Russell Wilson, the Hawks are better than their ugly record indicates.

Change a handful of plays – either of Jason Myers’ misses versus the Saints, Geno Smith’s fumble against the Steelers, or any one of about a dozen mistakes versus the Titans, and this team is 5-2. Mind you, they’d still not be a great team, but I truly believe they’re far better than 2-5.

Seahawks will defeat the Jaguars in week 8

Now let’s compare that to the Jaguars. Three of Seattle’s losses were by three points each. Only one of Jacksonville’s five losses was a three-point affair. The average score of a Jags game is 19 – 29. Seattle’s average score: 21 – 23. No, the Hawks have been far from an offensive juggernaut, but the Saints game is the only contest in which they failed to put up at least 17 points.

The only common opponent for the two teams is Tennessee. You already got the reminder of the painful overtime loss, but it’s instructive to remember that the Seahawks took the now 5-2 Titans to the wire. The Jaguars, not so much. Derrick Henry and his crew simply blew the Jags off the field, 37-19. I know, common opponent scores aren’t always the most reliable indicator. In fact, it’s a pretty terrible predictor of success. But there’s much more to the impending Hawks annihilation of the Jags than that.

I have two words for you, 12s. One name. Darrell Bevell. That’s right, gang, Mr. Creativity himself is the offensive coordinator of the Jaguars. The most points Jacksonville has put up this season is 23. They can roll up the yardage with two games over 390and one over 450, but putting the ball in the end zone is another matter entirely. They’ve made it to the red zone 16 times, scoring 10 touchdowns. Their opponents are 16 of 25.

The Seahawks have also gained the red zone just 16 times this season but scored 12 touchdowns on their chances. Hawks opponents have visited the zone 30 times but been nowhere near as successful with 14 touchdowns on their chances. One minor reason Seattle has only visited the red zone 16 times is their deep strike ability. Four touchdowns of at least 60 yards makes the red zone a bit superfluous.

What does all that mathiness add up to? Well, the Hawks are better at scoring – not a ton better, but better, and a lot better at keeping the opposition from scoring. And that equals more points, many more points, for the gentlemen in college navy and wolf gray with action green accents.

Again, 12s, I remind you – Darrell Bevell. That’s worth a touchdown in Seattle’s favor alone. Throw it all together and I see a big Seahawks win. Finally, a home win at that, as ludicrous as that is nearly halfway through the season. Final score, Seahawks 31, Jaguars 17. Listen, a two-touchdown margin this season is an annihilation.