Predicting the final five games of the Washington Football Team’s season
Week 15 vs. Seahawks
The good news about this game: It’s taking place at home. The bad news: the Seahawks will be a very, very difficult matchup for Washington.
It will be extremely difficult for them to contain Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense in this one. Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and can throw the ball deep downfield with ease. Given Washington’s unproven safeties, it will be tough for them to protect against the big-play ability of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Fuller and Darby will have to avoid busting, and even in good coverage, Wilson will be able to get his top pass-catchers the ball.
Beyond that, Wilson can use his mobility to create yards in the running game. Along with a healthy Chris Carson and an offensive line that is playing well in Seattle, the team should do very well. Washington’s defensive line will be important, as they could rattle Wilson a bit if they can get pressure on him as the Rams did, but that’s about the only way the Seattle offense can be slowed.
Washington Commanders
On the offensive side of the ball, some will look at the Seahawks’ pass defense rankings and assume that they aren’t very good. It’s true that they have struggled against wideouts, which could bode well for Terry McLaurin, but their unit has improved as the year has gone along. Jamal Adams, Shaquil Griffin, and Quinton Dunbar have been injured at times too, so if they are healthy for this game, they should contain the Washington passing attack.
Also helping the team’s cause is the addition of Carlos Dunlap. The former Bengals starter is a savvy veteran who can get pressure and upgrade what was previously a weakness for the Seahawks. Dunlap should give Washington enough problems to really disrupt their passing attack.
As for the running game, Antonio Gibson may keep the Seahawks honest, but if Washington can’t pass much, this game could get tough quickly.
The only advantage Washington has in this game is of the home-field variety. This one has just as much blowout potential against the Steelers, as the Seahawks, who play in the league’s toughest division, will need to win every game down the stretch to get a home playoff game. They’ll be motivated and may smell blood in the water against their NFC East opponents.