The Seattle Seahawks had a phenomenal defensive performance in their Week 4 against the Giants on MNF. Thanks to a great job from the Seahawks pass rush which tallied a season-high 11 sacks. Seven different Seahawks players recorded at least one sack and four of them had two sacks. Devon Witherspoon earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for collecting two sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.
Although the Seahawks' defense led the way in the 24-3 beat down of the Giants, the Seahawks' offense looked a bit disjointed. Geno Smith was banged up during the game and had to leave the game in the first half, before returning at the start of the second half.
Geno was just 13 for 20 on pass attempts and threw for 110 yards with one touchdown pass. The Seahawks' running backs played well as Seattle rushed for over 121 yards. Kenneth Walker led the way with 79 yards rushing and a touchdown on 17 carries.
These three Seattle Seahawks could be set up for a huge game in Week 6
The Seahawks face a new challenge in Week 6 against the Bengals. Cincinnati is coming off their best performance of the season in a 34-20 win over the Cardinals in Week 5. Joe Burrow was 36/46 on pass attempts and threw for 317 yards, three touchdowns, with one interception. The Bengals defense was able to force three turnovers and created 10 points off those turnovers which included a pick-six of Cardinals QB Josh Dobbs.
Certainly, the Bengals will be a much tougher road opponent then the Seahawks faced in Week 4. The Seahawks will need to play a complete game if they are going to win on Sunday. Who will be the key difference makers for the Seahawks in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals?
Seahawks Player to Watch No. 1 - Quarterback Geno Smith
Geno Smith is coming off a subpar performance in Week 4 and he going to need to be better on Sunday if the Seahawks are going to win. The Bengals secondary picked off Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs twice in Week 5 and could pose problems for the Seahawks offense. Geno Smith will need to protect the football on Sunday and stay away from turnovers. While also being able to finish drives with touchdowns instead of field goals.
Geno's best performance came in Week 2 against the Lions where he threw for 328 yards, and completed 78 percent of his passes (32/41), with two touchdowns, and no interceptions. With the Seahawks defense likely facing the toughest offense they have faced since their Week 2 match-up with the Lions, Geno Smith will need to bring his A-game to Cincinnati. Seahawks' offensive coordinator Shane Waldron had a solid game plan for the Lions and Geno worked his game plan to perfection. Geno and Waldron have had two weeks to prepare for the Bengals defense and should have another strong plan of attack going into Sunday's game.
Not only is Geno going to have to execute the offense at a high level, but he also needs to keep the Seahawks offense ahead of the chains. Which means getting rid of the football if he is under pressure and avoiding the sack. The Bengals defense is tied for eighth in the NFL in sacks with 15 on the season. This means Geno will need to be able to handle the pressure which has done a good job of all season.
Despite all the injuries to the Seahawks offensive line, Geno has been sacked just seven times, as the Seahawks offensive line has given up the fourth-fewest sacks in the NFL. Those sack numbers are also a testament to how well Geno has handled pressure this year and avoided the rush.
Seahawks Player to Watch No. 2 - Corner Devon Witherspoon
Devon Witherspoon is fresh off an amazing performance which earned him Defensive Player of the Week honors. Witherspoon had his rookie breakout moment on MNF against the Giants in Week 4. Sacking Giants QB Daniel Jones twice and sealing a Seahawks victory with a pick-six of Jones in the fourth quarter. What can Witherspoon do for an encore in Week 6 and how can he build off a spectacular game in Week 4?
He can start by helping lead a Seahawks secondary against a vaunted Bengals receiving corps led by star WR Ja'Marr Chase. Chase was absolutely unstoppable in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Ja'Marr Chase had 15 receptions for 192 yards along with three touchdown catches. It will be interesting to see who covers him in Week 6. Whether the Seahawks decide to put Witherspoon against Chase or Riq Woolen.
Witherspoon will need to make his presence felt on Sunday if the Seahawks are going to slow down the Bengals passing attack. With Burrow now fully healthy, he appears to be in mid-season form following an impressive performance on Sunday. Whether it is covering one of the Bengals top receivers in Chase or bringing the heat against Burrow, Witherspoon needs to be a factor. Witherspoon must come up big once again for the Seahawks to slow down Cincinnati's offense.
Seahawks Player to Watch No. 3 - Edge Rusher Boye Mafe
Boye Mafe is starting to make a name for himself and is tied for the team lead in sacks with two on the season. He had a great game against the Giants in Week 4, as he had a sack and a tackle for loss. Mafe has done well in his return to the Seahawks defensive line after an injury kept him out of the Seahawks d-line rotation in Week 2. Mafe hopes to build off his performance in Week 4, and should be well rested following the Seahawks bye week.
The Bengals biggest achilles heel in the Joe Burrow Era has been their ability to protect their franchise quarterback. Burrow has been sacked often since he entered the league in 2020. Which has led to several unfortunate injuries for the Bengals' QB. The Bengals have been better this season at protecting Burrow, giving up just 11 sacks this season. Perhaps Mafe can take advantage of a Bengals offensive line which has been suspect at times protecting their quarterback.
Mafe has had sacks in each of his last two games and becoming a difference maker for the Seahawks defense. With the questions surrounding the Seahawks inability to get after the quarterback coming into 2023, Mafe's early season success is a clear bright spot. His ability to rush the quarterback will be vital both in this week's game and throughout the 2023 season for the Seahawks to take a step forward defensively.