Both the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions appear to have good teams for this season. Detroit is 2-1 and Seattle is 3-0. But there should be no mistaking that Seattle's toughest test to date with come in Week 4 against Detroit. That depends on the health of the Lions, of course.
Seattle has had to play without edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu all season so far, though there is hope he can return in Week 4. In the last two games, the Seahawks have not had Kenneth Walker III. Right tackle Stone Forsythe is now the starter at the spot for the foreseeable future but he is really the third-string RT.
Almost every team in the NFL has struggled with injuries early in the season, seemingly more so to key players than in previous seasons. Another happened in Week 3 when Seahawks' rival the San Francisco 49ers appeared to lose defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for the season to a partially torn triceps. Whoever wins at a high level this year might simply who can stay healthiest.
Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions both limping into Week 4
Heading into Week 4, the Detroit Lions are going to be struggling in that department due to a brutal Week 3 when the Lions had several players get hurt. One was edge rusher Marcus Davenport who injured his elbow and has not been ruled out for the season. Davenport was playing on a career-high 65 percent of defensive snaps before the injury and he does not have a quality backup.
Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow suffered a partially torn pec early against the Arizona Cardinals, managed to stay in the game, but could miss the Monday Night Football game versus Seattle. The Lions have a fantastic offensive line but not having Ragnow should definitely improve Seattle's chances of putting pressure on quarterback Jared Goff.
Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta sprained his ankle against Arizona and was able to come back into the game, though he was clearly affected by the injury. He limped to the sidelines several times and finished with just two catches and 36 yards.
Seahawks fans know Davenport won't play for Detroit in Week 4 and there is a likelihood that either LaPorta or Ragnow, if not both, also miss the game. Seattle, of course, could be missing defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II as both were hurt in Week 3. Maybe the table is leveled again with so many players being hurt ahead of Week 4.