Seattle Seahawks: 5 Bold predictions for Week 2 vs. Patriots

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Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Chris Carson rumbles for 100 yards

Seattle couldn’t get the ground game going in Week 1. Wilson led the Seahawks with 29 rushing yards while Carlos Hyde finished second with 23. Carson only got six carries for 21 yards. After the win, Head Coach Pete Carroll admitted that he needs to feed Carson more often. Carson should plant his flag against New England’s pass specialist defense.

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Carson posted six 100-yard rushing performances last season. He averaged 22 carries per game during those outings, and the Seahawks won every game. If Carroll wants a secure formula for success against a tricky New England team, he should turn to Seattle’s lead back.

3. Wilson isn’t sacked

The Seahawks have one of the worst pass-blocking offensive lines in the NFL. Wilson took 33 sacks as a rookie, but he’s taken roughly 45 sacks per year since then. He even tied for the league-lead in sacks with 48 last season. Considering Wilson took three sacks against a depleted Falcons front on Sunday, Seattle’s offensive line isn’t off to a better start this year.

Wilson hasn’t avoided taking a sack since Week 3 of last season. Since the start of 2016, he only has two zero-sack games, including playoff appearances. In comparison, Tom Brady had four zero-sack games last season alone. So, odds are Wilson won’t elude defenders in Week 2. However, the Patriots have a particularly weak pass rush.

New England only sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick once last week despite facing an inexperienced Dolphins offensive line. If Miami and its 37-year-old quarterback only took one sack, there’s a chance for Wilson to evade New England’s defenders entirely.

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