The Seattle Seahawks got some potential game-changing news before their Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos. Neither cornerback Patrick Surtain II nor safety Talanoa Hufanga will be available. With both out, that gives the Seahawks a huge advantage in Week 6.
Surtain is one of the league's top corners. Some say he's actually the best cornerback in the NFL. By some, I mean the majority of NFL executives, AP professional football writers, and the NFL players themselves. I'm not linking to all that mess, so look it up yourself. Okay, fine. Here's one, regarding the execs' poll. We all know it's Spoon, anyway.
Admittedly, Surtain is really good. Through five games, he's only allowed a 50 percent completion rate and zero touchdowns for a passer rating of 65.28. If you thought that was good, Hufanga has given up only 40 percent of the targets that came his way. He has two interceptions, including a pick-six, and a passer rating allowed of 16.11. As they'll both miss the game, the Seahawks can feast.
Seattle Seahawks' passing game will explode with Pat Surtain and Talanoa Hufanga out
One thing to note: Puka Nacua missed the Broncos game, but Matthew Stafford still went off for 390 yards and two scores. He did throw two interceptions, including the 66-yard pick-six by Hufanga. But Davante Adams still got his yards, with seven catches for 137 yards. So even if they did play in Week 6, there's no reason to think that Jaxon Smith-Njigba wouldn't have a great game.
According to Broncos beat reporter Zac Stevens, both Surtain and Hufanga missed practice Tuesday. Much worse for Denver, he reported they're trending toward missing the Week 6 faceoff against Seattle, and now they are confirmed to be out. The responses to the post on X linked above are alternately hilarious and horrified, depending on your point of view.
Do yourself a favor and read those comments, folks. Surtain and Hufanga missing Week 6 is now a reality. If Davante Adams could torch the Broncos' defensive backfield at their best, what will JSN do against a couple of backups on a short week? I know we all remember how badly things went for the Seahawks with both Julian Love and Ty Okada out, right?
Denver's worst-case scenario has happened. Both Surtain and Hufanga will miss the game. I'm in the camp that always wants to beat the other guys at their best. But I'm not about to turn down a gift. Now JSN has every reason to go off Thursday night.
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