Seattle Seahawks: 3 Big takeaways from win vs. Cardinals in Week 17
By Samuel Teets
When in doubt, run, run, and run some more
Chris Carson has literally carried the Seahawks offense at times this year, and he did it again on Sunday. Carson carried the ball 19 times for 122 yards and a touchdown. That’s 6.4 yards per carry! It’s hard to believe Carson was a seventh-round pick last year considering everything that has happened this season. He’s crossed the century mark in six games this season and has nine rushing touchdowns. No running back has consistently performed like that for Seattle since Marshawn Lynch.
Carson has been the sturdy hand for Seattle this year, but there are other players who have also contributed their fair share of yards on the ground. Veteran running back Mike Davis has racked up just over 500 yards on the ground this season. Against the Cardinals, he carried the ball seven times for 44 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown.
When the passing game isn’t working fluidly, like against the Cardinals, it’s crucial to have two runners you can trust. Davis is that second runner. When Carson gets tired, Seattle can plug Davis in and still get big plays on the ground.
The Seahawks finished with 182 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Cardinals. For reference, Russell Wilson only threw for 152 yards. It’s rare to see a team that runs for more yards than their quarterback passes for, but Seattle has found a way to make that a winning formula.