Seattle Seahawks: 3 Bold predictions vs. Cardinals, Week 4

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a catch for a 28-yard touchdown as Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers defends in the fourth quarter during the game at Heinz Field on September 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 22: Chris Carson #32 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on September 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2. Chris Carson will finally get going

There’s no way to sugarcoat Carson’s slow start. After averaging 82.2 rushing yards per game last season, the former seventh-round pick has been unable to find traction in 2019. Through three starts, he has 159 rushing yards and is averaging 3.5 yards per attempt.

Last year, the ground game was Seattle’s bread and butter. Carson anchored a deep backfield and posted borderline Pro Bowl numbers that raised expectations for this third season in the league. Unfortunately, he has tripped out of the gate and fallen flat. He’s already lost three fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown last week.

There’s still plenty of time to recover though. The game against Arizona is a prime opportunity for Carson to change the course of his season and reassert his dominance. The Cardinals have one of the worst run defenses in the league. They currently rank 30th and are allowing 157 rushing yards per game, which outstrips Seattle’s 110.7 offensive rushing yards per game.

The Seahawks do have Rashaad Penny, the team’s first-round pick from last season, sitting behind Carson on the depth chart. If Carson continues to struggle, Penny will see more action and could even take over the starting role before the end of the season.

The Seahawks and Pete Carroll never want to humiliate a player like that, but Carson hasn’t played like a starting running back so far. We’ll see how Week 4 influences this potential storyline.

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