Seattle Seahawks: Bobby Wagner, players to watch vs. Rams in Week 10

Bobby Wagner

Speaking of Gurley, Wagner will be the one who gets to handle the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. Wagner has the ability to get to anywhere on the field and make a play when he needs to, which is why he’ll be instrumental against Gurley. The dynamic back makes plays whenever he touches the ball and Wagner will have to be able to anticipate his location and next move as plays occur.

Even though he obviously won’t be shadowing the running back during the game, the middle linebacker spot allows for players like Wagner to make a range of decisions on any given play. It’s also the spot most equated with high tackle numbers and stopping running backs who break past the defensive line. On top of that, middle linebackers also sometimes cover running backs when they leave the backfield to run routes. Essentially, if Griffin is matched up against the wide receivers, Wagner is matched up against the Rams running backs.

I know Wagner was a little banged up to begin the year, but he doesn’t seem to be gaining the same attention he did last year when he was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for part of the season. Looking at his numbers, Wagner is making about one fewer tackle per game than in 2017, but has had a larger impact in the passing game.

He had nine passes defensed in seven games in 2018 and only had six last year even though he played in all 16 games. So maybe the hype isn’t there this year, he’s still making plays in every way he can and will hopefully come up big against the dynamic Rams offense on Sunday.