Three Seahawks who need to thrive in Week 13 versus the New York Jets

As Denzel Washington's Gladiator II lights up the big screen this week, so too will the Seattle Seahawks attempt to revive and extend an exciting, successful, and classic franchise era with a new iteration. Seattle looked like a disappointment at times early in the Mike Macdonald regime but has scored back-to-back division wins and suddenly finds itself atop the NFC West, and owners of a playoff spot. Are you not entertained?!

The Seahawks will enter a concrete jungle in Week 13, hoping to hunt and come out on top against the Aaron Rodgers super team that never was. A playoff appearance is far from assured, as the division is tightly clumped. We've heard from numerous players and coaches in the last couple of weeks, and most have communicated a sense of a playoff mentality when approaching recent football matches. They'll need to stay hungry to avoid a trap game against a quality defense in Gotham.

The way Gang Green's quarterback and team have been playing lately, they may also be desperate in the twilight of number 8's career. Marcus Aurelius said, "I am dying, Maximus. When a man sees his end... he wants to know there was some purpose to his life."

Seahawks players that must ball out to beat the J-E-T-S

Rodgers is a man with a lot of pride after a lengthy and legendary career in Green Bay. He'll be motivated to compete at the highest level for every remaining game this season, which will be a good test of the progress of our fresh defensive scheme. Ok, no more Gladiator quotes...am I not merciful?

When it comes to defeating the New York Football Jets, Seattle will need its key players to step in and ensure the team does not swerve and lose focus. There have been a lot of distractions in New York this season, but the Seahawks will need to pull together and make sure that they remain steadfast. Through bomb cyclones, mid-season retirements, trades, and releases. There are three key Seahawks who will need to be at their best this week to keep the win streak going.

Leonard Williams - Seahawks defensive lineman

The usual tight-lipped and realist-leaning (at least compared to Seattle's prior head man) Mike Macdonald delivered some high praise, in calling Leonard Williams' 2.5-sack performance “dominant." The Seahawks' new coach expanded on the Big Cat, saying, “There’s not many like him walking the planet. I’m glad he’s on our team!"

A repeat performance would put him in rare territory. Even a fraction of that would be enough to cause a little chaos that his minions (teammates) could take full advantage of. Williams said of the Seahawks' team mentality: “We’re pretty much in playoff mode."

Backs against the wall, Williams' effort and attitude should be the catalyst for more tenacity and growth on defense. He'll hope to continue setting the pace in a place where Seattle won ultimate glory in its past: Metlife Stadium.

Sataoa Laumea - Seahawks offensive lineman

It feels like every lineman possible has rotated through the right side of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line, but here’s the 6th-round right guard's shot. Anthony Bradford will miss the next four weeks, on IR with an ankle injury. Laumea has been inactive most of the season, while a player who leads the league in penalties and pressures allowed (Bradford) started! The 12s have to be grateful for Smith's ability to handle pressure so far this season, but something's got to improve.

Seattle coaches said that fellow rookie guard Sataoa Laumea will get a look this week as well in a competitive situation. Speaking about the five sacks given up against the Cardinals in Week 12, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb told the media: “When the immediate pressure happens and closes in from right there (interior pressure), it’s just tough to make a good decision."

Third-round pick Christian Haynes was largely viewed as a plug-and-play right guard...but what happened? He is now being passed up by Laumea here as well, who Seattle has to be hoping will show more aptitude than either Bradford or Haynes has up until this point.

Seahawks coaches could rotate Laumea in to get his feet wet, much like they've done with Abe Lucas. When asked about wanting a rotation vs. one guy to play all of the snaps at guard, he went on to say, “We have to be ready to pivot if that’s not working."

Nothing will be handed to Mr. Laumea with this Macdonald coaching staff, and it will be a baptism by fire going against the extremely disruptive Quinnen Williams. Now is his time to seize an opportunity and emerge as the true asset to the Seattle pass protection that all Seattleites dreamt of Haynes being.

Noah Fant - Seahawks tight end

Seattle’s top tight end could very well make his return against the Jets. With Sauce Gardner and former Seahawk, D.J. Reed regularly locking up receivers on the outside, Geno may need to look for completions over the middle more than usual.

All that speed and size has to show up sometime, right? He’ll also need to show that he can be instrumental in blocking the run game, as rookie A.J. Barner filled in capably for Fant in that aspect. If he doesn't work out in Seattle's packed group of playmakers, other teams will undoubtedly give him a shot to be a bigger contributor.

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