A look at the playoff teams shows that Seahawks might not draft the obvious choice

The Seattle Seahawks are at house, or Texas, or wherever they go to look at the remainder of the playoffs unfold. The 4 groups remaining are, unsurprisingly, 4 of one of the best 5 groups this season in response to various statistics.

Nonetheless, why are the Seattle Seahawks at house? Inferior quarterback play? Offensive line? Protection? That point Pete Carroll refused to go the ball and used horrible timeouts?

The narrative round fixing this crew has been “defensive position or bust,” however it may not be so easy. Once more, let’s have a look at the remaining 4 groups.

Notably, Soccer Outsiders DVOA is among the many finest locations to begin.

General:

There they stand, in all their crimson and orange glory, with the Buffalo Payments, who apparently shouldn’t reside in a snowy location, because the odd man out this time.

These are certainly good groups and so they beat up all of the much less good groups.

However let’s not overlook the true nature of the NFL, as right here’s their rankings on offensive effectivity:

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In the meantime, sneak a peek at their defenses:

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Stunned? Actually, it goes 49ers at #1, Eagles at 6, Bengals 11, and Chiefs 17. The Seahawks weren’t good, clearly, however at twenty second, it’s not like you need to a top-five protection to make the Tremendous Bowl; in truth one in all groups gained’t be.

One of many issues that has been the focus of Philadelphia within the postseason commentary is their ridiculous sack numbers. Frank Clark additionally gained notoriety this week for encroaching on the all-time postseason sack title. So I used to be curious: is {that a} issue for the playoff groups?

You may not like this.

Eagles #1, Chiefs 3, okay. The mighty 49ers have been thirteenth, and the Bengals twenty ninth, at 1.8 sacks per sport.

Seahawks?

tenth finest within the NFL at sacking the quarterback this 12 months. Over the ultimate three video games of the season they have been tied for fourth.

It’s nonetheless a league the place really elite offenses can overcome subpar defensive play. We wouldn’t know, as a result of that’s by no means been the case on this metropolis beneath Pete Carroll or John Schneider. However it apparently occurs in different states, and appears kinda enjoyable.

Maybe the crew, which at one level appeared completely pleased to attain 28 factors a sport and permit 25, may focus as a substitute on two to a few offensive items to recover from the hump and into that vary the place they’ll maintain tempo with no matter comes at them.

Anyone nonetheless bear in mind the sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions? 50 factors per facet is what all the principles and penalties are geared in direction of, anyway.

I’m, in fact, being greater than slightly disingenuous. Numbers do lie, however you ultimately can’t idiot all of them. The Seahawks allowed 152 rush yards per sport, higher than solely the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans, two groups who didn’t, in truth, strive.

Seattle did strive, and sadly they’re within the defensive pickle individuals have indicated as a result of it’s not so simple as drafting a giant attractive sort out. Most of the largest runs from opponents got here on blown assignments exterior, from gamers that ought to be doing one thing apart from this:

The evident weak point for Seattle some appear to be per the opposing run sport, largely up the center, and if one change have been to be made, defensive sort out might in the end take advantage of distinction.

However the Hawks confirmed they’re nearer to competing on offense, with a sneaky skill to make some performs on protection. In the event that they find yourself deciding to prioritize some heart that may really block! offensive firepower in both draft or free company, they simply may know what they’re doing.