3 Seahawks that will make the difference in Week 1 versus the Broncos
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks start their 2022 season on Monday Night Football versus the Broncos and Russell Wilson. These three players will be the difference between a victory and a defeat.
We can’t be completely sure what the Seahawks are going to look like in 2022. It hopefully won’t be anything like the way the team appeared in the preseason when they were just good enough to lose every game.
But no team should believe that how they seem in the preseason is how the team will actually be when the real games begin. Too many starters never play in the preseason.
Plus, Week 1 brings a whole different level of motivation for the Seahawks and the Broncos quarterback. After being traded this offseason, Russell Wilson returns to Lumen Field in another team’s jersey. So which players might make the difference between a Seattle win and a loss?
These three Seahawks could be the difference between 12s happiness and unhappiness in Week 1
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett
Teams are going to focus a lot on DK Metcalf because of his size and strength and speed. He has become a receiver that is nearly impossible to cover one on one. But is he even the best receiver on the Seahawks team? When Russell Wilson or now Geno Smith need to throw to someone who they know is most likely going to come down with the ball that person is Tyler Lockett.
Lockett, like Metcalf, is tough to cover with a single defender. Lockett’s precise route running and quickness make it more difficult to cover him on shorter routes than even Metcalf. And Seattle is going to have to do a lot better job of sustaining drives this season than in 2021 so that might mean fewer completed deep passes and more efficient passes over the middle and to the sidelines.
This is where Lockett is better than Metcalf. Metcalf might have more touchdowns by the end of the season but Lockett will probably have more catches. And in Week 1, Lockett needs to be targeted a lot. In fact, 10 times would be a solid number. He will help Seattle pick up first downs and keep Russell Wilson off the field.