Seattle Seahawks: 3 Bold predictions vs. Saints, Week 3

1. Russell Wilson only sacked once

Seattle’s struggle to protect Wilson is well documented. Last season, the star quarterback was sacked a career-high 51 times. The last season where Wilson was sacked fewer than 40 times was his rookie season back in 2012. In comparison, Tom Brady hasn’t been sacked 40 or more times since 2013 and Brees has never been sacked more than 40 times in a single season.

Wilson has been sacked four times in each of the first two weeks. Frankly, I’m surprised he didn’t hit the turf more last week. The Pittsburgh Steelers took Wilson down early and often, but the offensive line stabilized later in the game. At the current rate, Wilson will be sacked 64 times this season. Deshaun Watson led the NFL in sacks taken last season with 62.

However, I don’t expect Wilson to hit 64 sacks and I think Seattle’s line will stifle New Orleans’ pass rush. The last time Wilson was sacked just once in a game was back in Week 6 of the 2018 season against the Oakland Raiders. That alone makes it unlikely that he won’t be taken down just once.

What makes this a bold prediction though is the Saints’ defensive front. New Orleans currently leads the NFL in sacks with nine. The Saints got to Watson six times in Week 1 and brought down Jared Goff three times last week. Trey Hendrickson of all people is leading the team with three sacks. The All-Pro Cameron Jordan is behind him with two.

It’s going to take a lot to protect Wilson from New Orleans’ hungry defensive front. We’ll see if Seattle’s offensive line can blunt the pass rush this week.