It’s Seattle Seahawk Playoff Review time! The playoffs look a little different this year for some – our wildcard game will be coin-flip-free. We will have storms and Pete Carroll being too nice (maybe), but no coins.
The Seattle Seahawks are clear underdogs to everyone but the Hawks. We shouldn’t write them off, though, because Geno Smith is not writing back. The League thought that the Seattle Seahawks would be irrelevant this season with Geno Smith at the helm, and they were so wrong. The Seahawks have been full of surprises and should not be counted out just yet.
Gridiron Heroics previews all of the NFL teams that open postseason play, and we’ll continue it through the entire playoffs.
The Deets on the Seattle Seahawks
NFL TEAM: Seattle Seahawks
2022-23 RECORD: 9-8
WEEKEND OPPONENT: San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, 4:30 P.M. (ET). Want to see the game previewed from the 49er’s perspective? Look here.
NFL WEEK ONE POSTSEASON SCHEDULE: The Seattle Seahawks will face off against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
TRENDING? The Seahawks are trending in the only way they know how – inconsistently. They’re up and they’re down. On any given Sunday.
WHAT IS GOING RIGHT?: The Seahawks are doing many things right – but the defense has stood out recently. Quandre Diggs won NFC Defensive Player of the Week for week 18. Diggs made an interception against the Rams that likely changed the course of the game and the post-season. Hopefully, Mr. Irrelevant will get stage fright in his first post-season game; Quandre Diggs and Tariq Woolen will be ready to catch ALL of the interceptions. Uchenna Nwosu may have only been credited with half a sack against the Rams, but it seemed like he was constantly battering Ram’s offense. Nwosu showed out in week 18 and will likely be hungry for more sacks.
WHAT IS GOING WRONG?: Two words: Running. Back. As in, we have none. It’s one of the weakest spots on the offense this season due to injury. Travis Homer has noped out of most games this season due to a high ankle sprain. Kenneth Walker III, DeeJay Dallas, and Godwin Igwebuike have been in and out and struggle to say healthy. Fingers cross, they hold up for the post-season.
Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are one of the most iconic wide receiver duos in the league – and with Lockett’s broken finger and leg contusion, the hope is that he can help limp us to a victory.
SURPRISE STAR THIS WEEKEND?:
Noah Fant is a consistent but under the radar TE. With a tropical storm in Santa Clara, Geno will need all hands on deck and Fant will be consistently helpful – consistency being something Seattle doesn’t know much about, but desperately needs.
THE KEY MATCHUP THIS WEEKEND?: The biggest match-up will be between rational Metcalf and angry Metcalf. Also, the entire Seattle Seahawks offense against Nick Bosa.
THE SUMMARY: San Fran has defeated the Hawks every game this season – not an excellent track record. It is the 10th anniversary of Seattle’s defeat against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game in 2013, so it’s time for another win. The 49ers are alarmingly healthy going into the playoffs – but the Seahawks have something the 49ers know nothing about – heart. Geno Smith will only write one thing – his signature on a fan’s jersey after they win the game.
THE PICK: Seattle Seahawks (prayer hands up) by 7. This is partially due to too much optimism, and a blind faith in the Hawks despite the odds. Also, the tsunami that will roll through Santa Clara over the weekend will give the Seahawks an advantage due to their exposure to inclement weather, providing Geno Smith one more slip-and-slide through the end zone.
Gridiron Heroics previews every single NFL playoff team as the postseason begins this weekend. Check out all the coverage with Gridiron Heroics.