Three Seattle Seahawks who will decide the outcome of the game in Week 1
In an early season clash of NFC West rivals the Seattle Seahawks look to pick up where they left off last season. Sunday's game will feature a rematch of last year's regular season finale in which the 'Hawks won in an overtime thriller beating the Rams 19-16 to help them clinch a playoff berth. Seattle secured a playoff berth later that evening when Detroit upset Green Bay at Lambeau Field.
The Seahawks defense, which had struggled at times throughout the year, had their best performance of the season. Relentlessly pressuring newly acquired Rams QB Baker Mayfield all day and sacking him five times. Five different players on the Seahawks defense recorded a sack or a hit on the QB, taking advantage of a battered Rams offensive line.
Surprisingly, Seattle's offense, which had carried the team all year, struggled against the Rams' defense. Geno Smith who had a Pro Bowl season, threw two interceptions, had one of his worst completion percentages of the season (61.3 percent), and completed just 19 of 31 passes. Geno was able to put the lackluster performance behind him in overtime, connecting with Tyler Lockett on a 17-yard pass completion to put the Seahawks in Rams territory.
Three Seattle Seahawks will decide who wins and who loses in Week 1
The offensive player of the game for the 'Hawks was rookie running back Kenneth Walker III. Who had several key runs following Geno's overtime pass completion to Lockett. Including one run for 20 yards, which set up Jason Meyers eventual game-winning field goal. Kenneth Walker III had a big game overall, rushing for 114 yards on 29 attempts.
Kenneth Walker III was not the only Seahawk with a huge performance in the Seahawks' previous match-up with the Rams. Uchenna Nwosu had two TFLs, six combined tackles, half a sack, and four QB hits. Jason Meyers was 4/5 on field goals, including the game-winning kick in overtime, scoring 12 of the Seahawks 19 points. Which three Seahawks will make the biggest impact against the Rams in week 1?