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Seattle Seahawks: Could Pete Carroll’s Team Be in Trouble?

By Russell S. Baxter

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It’s been quite a run the last three-plus seasons for the Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll’s club has been to the playoff each year since 2012, won a Super Bowl in 2013 and just missed repeating as NFL champions this past season.

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Obviously it’s very early in 2015 but following a 0-2 start, the defending NFC champions are back to .500 thanks to home wins over the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Carroll’s team did not allow an offensive touchdown in each contest and surrendered a total of 10 points.

So why the mention of trouble here? After all, the Seahawks were 3-3 after six games last season and there were murmurs of issues, especially with Arizona Cardinals off to a great start in 2014. When it was all said and done, the ‘Hawks went 9-1 the rest of the regular season, finished 12-4, won the NFC West for a second straight year and wound up in Super Bowl XLIX.

Let’s take it a step further. The Seahawks were one of the four teams in the conference championship round a year ago. The other three clubs were the 0-2 Indianapolis Colts, the 1-2 Green Bay Packers (before quarterback Aaron Rodgers told everyone to “relax”) and the 2-2 New England Patriots.

So we pose the question once again: Are the Seahawks in trouble?

Let’s take a closer look. As the Seahawks prepare for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati, they will not have running back Marshawn Lynch once again. Yes, Seattle’s ground attack is averaging a solid 128.0 yards per game after four weeks and they have three players who have totaled at least 30 rushing attempts this season.

Oct 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs away from Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

But guess who’s leading the team’s running attack? That would be quarterback Russell Wilson (177), followed by rookie running back Thomas Rawls (157) and then Lynch (128). You will notice that there’s no mention of a touchdown with any of those players as the Seahawks have yet to run for a score this season.

Let’s get back to Wilson, who has been under siege throughout the early weeks of 2015. Yes, the effective signal-caller is completing 71.7 percent of his passes for 979 yards and five touchdowns while being picked off just twice. But Wilson has already been sacked 18 times in four games and lost both of his fumbles this year. One year ago, the young quarterback fumbled 11 times during the regular season and he and/or his teammates managed to get all of them back.

Oct 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) stiff arms Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Bynes (57) during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Why the issues in terms of pass protection? The trade that enabled the club to obtain three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham cost the Seahawks quality center Max Unger. Add in the fact that left guard James Carpenter signed with the New York Jets via free agency. The line has been in flux since the summer and if you saw this unit during the summer, you knew it could be a tough year.

As for today’s opponent, it’s safe to say that the Bengals will provide Seattle with an extremely tough test. Cincinnati has not allowed a first-half touchdown during its 4-0 start. Marvin Lewis’ squad is allowing only 85.8 yards per game on the ground and has already totaled 11 sacks. In 2014, the Bengals finished dead last in the league with 20 sacks.

Another quick start for Cincinnati (they’ve outscored the opposition 66-18 in the first half) and Wilson could spend the day running for his life. And with the Cardinals and St. Louis Rams playing solid football, the Seahawks could be on the run all season.

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