Seattle Seahawks: 3 Bold predictions vs. Buccaneers, Week 9

The Seattle Seahawks have an opportunity to catch fire in Week 9 and carry momentum into a divisional matchup in Week 10.

The Seattle Seahawks face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, one week before facing the undefeated San Francisco 49er for the first time. Seattle wants to use Tampa Bay as a springboard and boost their morale before facing the 49ers. However, the Buccaneers are not a team that should be underestimated.

While Tampa Bay has a lot of weaknesses, the team is capable of putting up a fight. The Seahawks cannot be distracted by their impending visit to San Francisco. Instead, against the 2-5 Buccaneers, Seattle will focus on ironing out issues that surfaced in Week 9.

Can they do so? Let’s figure that out as we make three bold predictions for the Seahawks on Sunday.

3. Chris Carson contained by Bucs defensive front

Seattle’s starting power back took three weeks to round into shape this season. In Weeks 1-3, he ran for 158 yards and averaged 3.51 yards per carry. In Weeks 4-6, Carson racked up 346 rushing yards and averaged 4.74 yards per carry. However, Carson’s performances have been a mixed bag these past two weeks.

In Week 7, against the Baltimore Ravens, Carson averaged just 3.10 yards per carry and only picked up 65 yards on the ground. The Ravens also pressured Russell Wilson into some bad throws and Seattle ended up losing the game.

In Week 8, Carson carried the ball 20 times for 90 yards and a touchdown. In a game where Wilson threw for only 182 yards, Carson’s production was clutch.

Now, Carson will face Tampa Bay’s defensive front. While the Buccaneers 3 Bold predictions vs. Colts, Week 9 have had their fair share of troubles this season, their run defense has been impeccable. The Buccaneers are allowing 68.6 rushing yards per game, which are the fewest in the NFL this season.

Tampa Bay has already faced several great running backs this season. In two games against Christian McCaffrey, the Buccaneers only gave up 68 combined rushing yards to the MVP candidate. The team also limited Todd Gurley to 16 rushing yards in Week 4 and Alvin Kamara to 62 in Week 5. Saquon Barkley was injured in the second quarter of a game against the Buccaneers in Week 3, but he only had ten yards on eight carries at the time.

With so many All-Pro running backs failing to break through Tampa Bay’s defense, Carson will likely have a rough outing in Week 9.