Worst case scenarios for 2022 Seahawks based on preseason opener

The Seahawks run defense could be much worse

Interior run defense is a lot like tackling: Good fundamentals should help overcome physical inabilities. And while teams don’t scheme for other teams in the preseason, the basics of run defense shouldn’t change much. This mostly comes down to man-on-man blocking and the ability of a defender to hold their spot and allow linebackers to clean up.

But, to be honest, for the most part against the Steelers, Poona Ford and Bryan Mone got run over. The Seahawks allowed a ridiculous 6.9 yards per rush in preseason game 1. And this wasn’t just a random second half problem. Pittsburgh was able to run well the entire game. Three Steelers running backs had at least 6 carries and all averaged at least 5.2 yards a rush.

Sure, Seattle didn’t play Al Woods but thinking that one player will make a massive difference in stopping the run is a mistake. Stopping the rush is a team effort. Seattle’s linebackers weren’t terrible either. It wasn’t like a Steelers running back was slashing through the line and then making linebackers miss. The interior of the Seattle line just couldn’t keep Pittsburgh from running up the middle.

Hopefully, once the defense isn’t running a vanilla scheme and players like Jordyn Brooks, Woods and Jamal Adams return, teams won’t be able to run against the Seahawks. But based on preseason game 1, Seattle’s run defense is certainly a new concern moving forward.