Seahawks-Chiefs Preview: 5 Qs, 5 As with Arrowhead Pride

It’s the eve of Christmas Eve, which that may imply just one factor for followers of the Seattle Seahawks – that’s that it’s time to learn this week’s preview of the Hawks Christmas Eve battle in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

Serving to to preview this matchup in opposition to the one-time division rival Chiefs is Jared Sapp of Arrowhead Delight, and with out losing any additional time, listed here are his solutions to the 5 questions posed of him.

1. With only a few weeks left within the common season, how has 2022 gone for Kansas Metropolis relative to expectations? What have been the largest surprises (good or dangerous) and the way are Chiefs followers feeling heading into the postseason?

I feel most individuals realistically anticipated the Chiefs to nonetheless be an excellent staff however to presumably take a step again with out Tyreek Hill. And that has made issues extra irritating the final month as a result of we spent a lot of the season trying like among the best groups in soccer. Then the previous couple of video games, the Chiefs have been very inconsistent even in opposition to some very weak opponents. The great shock has been Patrick Mahomes having an opportunity to interrupt the only season passing file even with out Hill. A nasty shock could be a younger protection that confirmed actually good potential early within the season not simply failing to enhance however situationally taking part in very badly down the stretch.

2. This offseason can be 4 years for the reason that Hawks traded Frank Clark to the Chiefs for quite a lot of draft picks. Clark has largely been a disappointment with Kansas Metropolis, whereas the gamers the Seahawks chosen with the picks (L.J. Collier, Alton Robinson, Damien Lewis and Cody Barton) haven’t developed in addition to many had hoped. How do Chiefs followers really feel in regards to the commerce now?

The Tremendous Bowl victory complicates the legacy. Clark has not confirmed worthy of the draft picks surrendered or the huge contract. However he additionally was an enormous a part of a championship run. There’s additionally the paradox of he at all times looks as if a beloved teammate and each time he speaks to the media you at all times come away cheering for him. But he’s regularly stricken by abdomen points that hold him out and in of the lineup and his authorized points loomed over two offseasons. After contract restructure to maintain him on the staff this season, it seems extremely uncertain Clark will play his ultimate season underneath contract in 2023.

3. Followers know the massive names like Mahomes and Kelce and all the remaining. Who’s a participant on all sides of the ball that Seahawks followers will not be acquainted with heading into the sport who might make a big affect?

On offense, it needs to be working again Isiah Pacheco. The seventh-round rookie has been the early down again over the season’s second half. He is not going to be enjoyable to sort out on a chilly day, however he has had some ball safety points that would hang-out him within the components. On a day the Seahawks are virtually sure to come back out eager to run the ball down Kansas Metropolis’s throat, second 12 months linebacker Nick Bolton will make an affect someway. Whether or not he’s getting via blocks and ending tackles or having to pursue Seattle working backs after 5 yard good points will go a protracted option to figuring out the end result.

4. The rest of the schedule for Kansas Metropolis shouldn’t be very daunting. This matchup in opposition to the Seahawks, adopted by video games in opposition to the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. Any issues in regards to the staff probably trying ahead to the playoffs and taking these upcoming opponents too flippantly. Gained’t lie, I’m most involved about ensuring the Chiefs are centered and able to beat the Broncos in Week 17.

After watching the Chiefs wrestle to place away the Broncos and Texans the previous two weeks, there may be undoubtedly some concern about taking groups flippantly. The Chiefs clinched their seventh consecutive division title final weekend, however you’d by no means realize it via all of the doom and gloom within the fanbase. And the Raiders might conceivably be taking part in for a Wild Card spot in Week 18. I do suppose that the Chiefs will most likely have some urgency to scrub up among the issues the final month has proven. The primary seed and bye nonetheless being potential ought to hold them from trying too far forward.

5. DraftKings at present has the Chiefs favored by 10 and an over/underneath of 49, each of which appear a little bit excessive given the climate forecast. What’s your prediction for the sport?

With two defenses which have struggled in opposition to the run down the stretch, I feel each groups are going to function a heavy dose of working backs, which ought to cut back the variety of positions. So I’ll take the underneath. I feel the Chiefs will outlast the Seahawks within the chilly, however I’m not going to take them to cowl -10. I’m going with Chiefs 24, Seahawks 16.

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