Last season the Seattle Seahawks went into MetLife Stadium and shut down the New York Giants to the tune of 23-0. The convincing win was spearheaded by five interceptions and a dominating performance from the defense. At this point in the 2014 season, anything remotely similar to that performance would be a welcomed sight for the Seahawks 12th Man.
At 5-3 the Seahawks are still underperforming relative to the lofty expectations coming into the season. While they have won the last two weeks, it has not been easy. That seems to be the theme for the club this season. Opponents are going to come at Seattle and give them their best shot, playing with a ‘nothing to lose’ approach.
The injury front continues to be a key concern for Pete Carroll’s club. It looks like S Kam Chancellor, LB Bobby Wagner, and LT James Carpenter, among others, will all miss Sunday’s game. However, the Seahawks might be turning the corner here as C Max Unger, LT Russell Okung, CB Jeremy Lane and several other rotational players are expected back on the field this week.
The Giants remain one of the streakiest teams in the league and one of the toughest to predict which team is going to show up week to week. Their season has gone from a 0-2 start, to winning three in a row, and then following that up by dropping their last three. At 3-5 the Giants season looks like it is already over. However, this is a club that can wake up on the collective right side of the bed and look like a Super Bowl Champion.
Here is what to expect when each club has the ball:
When the Seahawks are on offense
Russell Wilson had one of his worst games of his career last weekend against the Raiders, at home but in the rain. Look for Wilson to have a big day in the air, as the Giants are 28th in the NFL and allowing over 270 yards per game. The Giants also allow 119 rushing yards per game (22nd in the NFL), so look for Wilson to use play action and the read option to pick apart a struggling Giants defense.
Marshawn Lynch seemed to get back on track last weekend, so look for Seattle’s ground game to put up over 100 yards in total. This feels like another opportunity game to leverage backup RB’s Robert Turbin and Christine Michael.
Advantage: Seahawks
When the Giants are on offense
The Giants are simply average on offense - ranked 16th in the league in both passing (235.4) and rushing (110.5) yards per game. QB Eli Manning is playing with a nameless supporting cast right now after a season ending injury to WR Victor Cruz. RB Rashad Jennings is listed as Doubtful for the Giants this week, leaving Andre Williams with the burden of trying to run against the improving Seahawks defense.
For all of the criticism that has been placed on the Seahawks defense this year, they are still ranked 4th against the run giving up only 83 yards per game. The injury depleted club is also 6th against the pass giving up 221.9 yards per game. Where Seattle is struggling is generating and creating turnovers. Their collective luck may have changed last week against the Raiders.
Advantage: Seahawks
Special Teams
Seattle’s Special Teams units continue to struggle and trend downward in Football Outsiders’ and DVOA rankings. The Seahawks continue to make at least one mistake a week on Special Teams. While the Giants fare just a little bit better in DVOA, this is where New York is going to have to make a play or two in order to have a chance to win in the Pacific Northwest.
Advantage: Giants
Final Score Prediction: Seahawks 31, Giants 22
The Seahawks ‘bend but don’t break’ defense returns to hold the Giants to field goals and give up a cheap touchdown late in the game.