Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks finally reached the top of the NFC West during the bye week. Now the challenge doesn’t get any easier; the Seahawks need to stay on top and will face a big test this week. The New York Giants should be unable to beat the San Francisco 49ers, and it’s basically impossible for NOLA to achieve anything against the Los Angeles Rams, especially with the decision to debut a rookie against that aggressive defense.
Therefore, the Washington Commanders are the most difficult opponent among the three leaders of the NFC West. The Washington team is 3-5, surprisingly compared to what was expected at the beginning of the 2025 season. I projected facing them with something close to 5-3, but don’t let that record fool you or give you the idea that it will be an easy game.
It’s going to be a great matchup.
Let’s go!
The Commanders are likely only rivaled by the Las Vegas Raiders for the team with the most former Seahawks players. Some names among active players, injured players, front office staff, and coaching staff:
George Fant, OT;
Jacob Martin, EDGE;
Nick Bellore, ST;
Bobby Wagner, LB;
Tyler Ott, LS;
Dan Quinn, HC;
Larry Izzo, ST Coordinator;
Darryl Tapp, DL Coach;
Brian Schneider, ST Assist;
Andre Coleman, Off Assist;
Bobby Engram, WR Coach;
Tommy Donatell, DB Coach;
Ken Norton Jr, LB Coach;
Scott Fitterer, Personnel Executive;
Jayden Daniels is expected to start for the Commanders, but in case he gets re-injured on Sunday, the backup is veteran Marcus Mariota.
It’s good to remember two points: the first is that Marcus Mariota has never been defeated by the Seahawks, winning in 2017 with the Titans and in 2022 with the Falcons. The other is that he has better numbers than Daniels this year under pressure and against blitzes.
Regardless of who the QB is, the first challenge will be keeping the Commanders’ signal caller in the pocket. The Seahawks have already had problems with this during the season. Whether losing sacks and tackles, or giving the QB enough time to find late options.
It should be a key game for the EDGE rushers who will need to maintain discipline and keep the QB in the pocket while the Commanders may be without Laremy Tunsil. Inside the line, Tyler Biadasz and Sam Cosmi are good players, but the center is 13th in pressures allowed with 10, including a sack.
Kliff Kingsbury’s offense is not new to the Seahawks. He maintains his concepts of end rounds, RPO, and screens. But, even so, they are a team that mostly runs the ball. There are three games for 200 yards or more and only one game with less than 100 yards (60 against the Chiefs).
The way forward should be to keep the QB in the pocket, as discussed in the previous topic, and contain the running game to force the Commanders to deviate...
