Seahawks will be missing key players versus Chiefs in Week 16

The Seahawks need a victory against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Saturday to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. There won’t be any precipitation falling on Saturday, but it will be bitterly cold. Worse, however, is that Seattle is going to be missing some very important players.

Of course, most 12s know that receiver Tyler Lockett will miss at least one game after breaking his finger in Week 15 versus the 49ers. Lockett’s absence will make DK Metcalf’s job even harder, obviously. While the Chiefs overall have a very good team, one of the units they have that struggles is the secondary. Lockett being out makes Kansas City’s secondary’s job much easier.

The situation might be worse for the Seahawks because tight end Noah Fant is questionable with a knee injury. Two of Seattle’s top three receivers are Lockett and Fant. One is definitely out and the other might not play. Oh, and WR3 Marquise Goodwin is also questionable with wrist and ankle injuries. It is difficult to see how Seattle wins if either Goodwin or Fant doesn’t play.

But what might be even worse than Lockett not playing is that defensive tackle Al Woods (Achilles) and strong safety Ryan Neal (knee) are both out. Neal has probably been Seattle’s second-best defensive back in 2022 after Tariq Woolen. Woods is the Seahawks’ best run-stopper.

Seahawks with serious injury concerns entering Week 16

Before 2022, the Chiefs were much more of a passing attack team. This year, however, Kansas City is averaging more yards per game rushing and is 6th in yards-per-rushing-attempt at 4.8. Rookie Isiah Pacheco leads the Chiefs in rushing yards with 677 but about 500 of those have come in the last six games.

The Seahawks, of course, struggle to stop the run so being without Woods or Neal (and Neal is good in run support) could exacerbate the problem. On the other hand, Seattle hasn’t been running the ball themselves as well lately and Ken Walker III (ankle/back) and DeeJay Dallas (ankle) are both questionable. Even if Seattle was fully healthy, defeating the Chiefs would be a chore but with so many injuries it seems an almost impossible task.

The Chiefs‘ injury report is shorter. Only tight end Jody Fortson (elbow) is listed as out. Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (illness) is doubtful. Questionable are defensive end Mike Danna (illness) and safety Deon Bush (illness).