“How are Seahawks fans feeling about this week’s game against the Titans sans a few key players and the importance of the questionable guys being available:”
Nashville is a great place to be on a Sunday afternoon, and I wish I had the seats next to yours. Without knowing the first thing about the Titans, I'll suggest they are a few starters and key substitutes too, and our current roster is better than their current roster and the Seahawks really should beat the pudding out of them to the tune of 35-7, or something close.
On another front. A guy for The Athletic, did an article on the new kick rules. Ranking starting opponents field position, EPA etc. Myers and the Hawks top ranked. Carolina second in quality plays on kickoffs. Author Austin Mock. “In fact, they are so far ahead of the rest of the pack that the Panthers, who rank second in EPA from kickoffs per game, almost double up the third-ranked Steelers.” The Holani recovery of course helps but the starting field position of these guys has been tremendous. “That doesn't seem like much, but when you have five kickoffs per game, that's 25 to 30 yards. Those yards could be the difference in getting into field goal range or not.”
Barner short and first play may not be long considering all the issues being reported. Eagles false starts not called, questionable spots etc. used to be illegal to “aid” a ball carrier.
Before I start, I want to acknowledge that the Hawks are a couple of plays away from being undefeated in 2025. I also believe that Super Bowl bound teams find a way to win most of those games.
Klint Kubiak has received nearly universal approval for his commitment to the run game even though it really only sets up the pass game. Now after the LA game, where the Rams dared the Hawks to run the ball by playing dime defense 50% of the time, the Hawks are going to see a lot of dime defense until they can punish a team playing dime. The Titans will likely provide that opportunity this Sunday, but the real test is the following three games (Vikings, Falcons and Colts). Can the Hawks truly find a balance offense?
The LA game raises many more questions for me. Can Kubiak scheme a run game like Shanahan or McVay? Can the offensive coaches really develop the offensive line run blocking in the second half of the season? Can the Hawks win a game by running the ball? Or has the balanced offense always been a two-year development plan from the start?
There’s an old adage, and a movie, Any Given Sunday. Been around too long to see taking an opponent in a lackluster way. This isn’t preseason. Not playing at full strength, leads to injuries. Yes likely rest injured players but we can’t skate. If Justin Simmons plays, he can destroy the IOL, even if Zabel was in.
If there was ever a week to rest some people and see how the backups play this is it. I think the defense will do ok. If the offense doesn't turn it over and give up some easy points then we win. The interior line with a backup LG is a big question mark, but I think it would be good to rest Grey. It's a long season for a rookie, let's try to save him for the playoffs.
I’m feeling good about this week. If there were ever a week to play shorthanded, this is it. I’d rest Zabel and Jones, Play Thomas at the mike, and play O’Connell on short yardage defense and go nickel with Emmanwori most of the time at either ILB or slot corner depending on the Titan’s offensive personnel.
Kenneth's wisdom here is one bettors will hate: Stats DO NOT MATTER. Wins do. (And in my opinion, gambling is evil. Among other matters, long ago gambling destroyed boxing. Today, the NFL, et al, in bed with Fanduel and Bet MGM, is a serious threat. Some walk-on will likely cheat if they haven't already, to impact the line. A third-string back fumbles? Who's to know better? Or is that bet-ter? A wide-out drops an easy catch because the O/U is 8 catches and he's about to get to 9....
So when we root for the team, not stats, we should be cheering in favor of getting gambling OUT of pro sports. My opinion. Gambling is bad for the fans, for caring about the team, and for society.)
So, as far as it goes, I'd love Seattle to win 13-12 and rest as many players as possible. I don't care if JSN racks up yards. I don't care if the run game shines. (I do, but I care about Ws most of all.)
I want Seattle to be as healthy as possible through the next three "winnable" games, because they have to beat these teams and pray that the Rams lose to Tampa, which is definitely capable of beating them.
It would sure help if Detroit also beats the Rams, with Goff's revenge. Seattle plays the Colts that same week, and then it's the rematch on short rest for both teams after playing, arguably, the two toughest remaining games on their respective schedules. Somehow, you want to get through the Titans, Vikings, and Falcons with minimal damage and ideally, three Ws.
If I'm hoping for anything else, it's for Darnold to deal better with creative defenses that flood the middle of the field, the way the Rams did, so he learns what to do when that happens. Win the next three, learn from your mistakes, and emerge as healthy as possible by the time you have the Colts coming to Seattle. It's actually a hell of a lot to ask.
All the NFL needs to do is look at the NBA and MLB and their issues with gambling. MLB players suspected of impacting prop bets (and being suspended for it) and and NBA coach suspended for gambling in mob-associated contests.
Gambling NEVER improves games.
But owners make $ off gambling sponsors so there you go.
I'm with you on the gambling issue. One of the gambling sites has upped their "reward" for betting from $200 to $300, and I sincerely hope that's because they aren't getting people hooked on betting. The celebrities promoting these gambling groups should be ashamed of themselves!
Gambling isn't the only thing I want to see banned from the NFL, though. Get the military recruiting efforts off the field.
I think people ought to be able to sue these experts that tell people their lock pick of the week. And that advice goes down. All these people who accept the advice of the expert, should sue for recompense. All of these “experts” are getting paid by the betting sites to entice action from their followers. These people have a sickness and these experts are basically selling then their drug addiction.
One virtue of playing backups…they have something to prove.
“How are Seahawks fans feeling about this week’s game against the Titans sans a few key players and the importance of the questionable guys being available:”
Great because I will be there!
Nashville is a great place to be on a Sunday afternoon, and I wish I had the seats next to yours. Without knowing the first thing about the Titans, I'll suggest they are a few starters and key substitutes too, and our current roster is better than their current roster and the Seahawks really should beat the pudding out of them to the tune of 35-7, or something close.
I’m down with 35-7 Hawks!
On another front. A guy for The Athletic, did an article on the new kick rules. Ranking starting opponents field position, EPA etc. Myers and the Hawks top ranked. Carolina second in quality plays on kickoffs. Author Austin Mock. “In fact, they are so far ahead of the rest of the pack that the Panthers, who rank second in EPA from kickoffs per game, almost double up the third-ranked Steelers.” The Holani recovery of course helps but the starting field position of these guys has been tremendous. “That doesn't seem like much, but when you have five kickoffs per game, that's 25 to 30 yards. Those yards could be the difference in getting into field goal range or not.”
Top-ranked by a long shot: EPA of 2.2 per game; next was something like 1.5.
Barner short and first play may not be long considering all the issues being reported. Eagles false starts not called, questionable spots etc. used to be illegal to “aid” a ball carrier.
Before I start, I want to acknowledge that the Hawks are a couple of plays away from being undefeated in 2025. I also believe that Super Bowl bound teams find a way to win most of those games.
Klint Kubiak has received nearly universal approval for his commitment to the run game even though it really only sets up the pass game. Now after the LA game, where the Rams dared the Hawks to run the ball by playing dime defense 50% of the time, the Hawks are going to see a lot of dime defense until they can punish a team playing dime. The Titans will likely provide that opportunity this Sunday, but the real test is the following three games (Vikings, Falcons and Colts). Can the Hawks truly find a balance offense?
The LA game raises many more questions for me. Can Kubiak scheme a run game like Shanahan or McVay? Can the offensive coaches really develop the offensive line run blocking in the second half of the season? Can the Hawks win a game by running the ball? Or has the balanced offense always been a two-year development plan from the start?
Double rec on this, Chip. Some good points.
Like another bye week.
There’s an old adage, and a movie, Any Given Sunday. Been around too long to see taking an opponent in a lackluster way. This isn’t preseason. Not playing at full strength, leads to injuries. Yes likely rest injured players but we can’t skate. If Justin Simmons plays, he can destroy the IOL, even if Zabel was in.
If there was ever a week to rest some people and see how the backups play this is it. I think the defense will do ok. If the offense doesn't turn it over and give up some easy points then we win. The interior line with a backup LG is a big question mark, but I think it would be good to rest Grey. It's a long season for a rookie, let's try to save him for the playoffs.
I’m feeling good about this week. If there were ever a week to play shorthanded, this is it. I’d rest Zabel and Jones, Play Thomas at the mike, and play O’Connell on short yardage defense and go nickel with Emmanwori most of the time at either ILB or slot corner depending on the Titan’s offensive personnel.
Kenneth's wisdom here is one bettors will hate: Stats DO NOT MATTER. Wins do. (And in my opinion, gambling is evil. Among other matters, long ago gambling destroyed boxing. Today, the NFL, et al, in bed with Fanduel and Bet MGM, is a serious threat. Some walk-on will likely cheat if they haven't already, to impact the line. A third-string back fumbles? Who's to know better? Or is that bet-ter? A wide-out drops an easy catch because the O/U is 8 catches and he's about to get to 9....
So when we root for the team, not stats, we should be cheering in favor of getting gambling OUT of pro sports. My opinion. Gambling is bad for the fans, for caring about the team, and for society.)
So, as far as it goes, I'd love Seattle to win 13-12 and rest as many players as possible. I don't care if JSN racks up yards. I don't care if the run game shines. (I do, but I care about Ws most of all.)
I want Seattle to be as healthy as possible through the next three "winnable" games, because they have to beat these teams and pray that the Rams lose to Tampa, which is definitely capable of beating them.
It would sure help if Detroit also beats the Rams, with Goff's revenge. Seattle plays the Colts that same week, and then it's the rematch on short rest for both teams after playing, arguably, the two toughest remaining games on their respective schedules. Somehow, you want to get through the Titans, Vikings, and Falcons with minimal damage and ideally, three Ws.
If I'm hoping for anything else, it's for Darnold to deal better with creative defenses that flood the middle of the field, the way the Rams did, so he learns what to do when that happens. Win the next three, learn from your mistakes, and emerge as healthy as possible by the time you have the Colts coming to Seattle. It's actually a hell of a lot to ask.
All the NFL needs to do is look at the NBA and MLB and their issues with gambling. MLB players suspected of impacting prop bets (and being suspended for it) and and NBA coach suspended for gambling in mob-associated contests.
Gambling NEVER improves games.
But owners make $ off gambling sponsors so there you go.
I'm with you on the gambling issue. One of the gambling sites has upped their "reward" for betting from $200 to $300, and I sincerely hope that's because they aren't getting people hooked on betting. The celebrities promoting these gambling groups should be ashamed of themselves!
Gambling isn't the only thing I want to see banned from the NFL, though. Get the military recruiting efforts off the field.
I think people ought to be able to sue these experts that tell people their lock pick of the week. And that advice goes down. All these people who accept the advice of the expert, should sue for recompense. All of these “experts” are getting paid by the betting sites to entice action from their followers. These people have a sickness and these experts are basically selling then their drug addiction.