The Legion of Boom looks a lot different in Week 13 of the 2017 season than it did in last year’s meeting between the Seahawks and Eagles. Injuries have taken a toll on Pete Carroll’s squad, but CenturyLink Field remains one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. Let’s take a look at how these NFC powers match up in anticipation of their Sunday Night Football clash.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-1; 1st in NFC East)
Yards per Play: 5.7 (7th in NFL)
Yards per Play Allowed: 4.8 (5th)
Yards per Rush Attempt: 4.6 (3rd)
Yards per Pass Attempt: 7.2 (10th)
Points per Game: 31.9 (1st)
Points per Game Allowed: 17.4 (3rd)
Seattle Seahawks (7-4; 2nd in NFC West)
Yards per Play: 5.5 (12th in NFL)
Yards per Play Allowed: 4.9 (7th)
Yards per Rush Attempt: 3.9 (23rd)
Yards per Pass Attempt: 6.9 (12th)
Points per Game: 24.2 (10th)
Points per Game Allowed: 19.3 (9th)
** Stats courtesy of: TeamRankings.com
When these two teams met last season, Seattle’s leading rusher from that game was C.J. Prosise. He is out with an ankle injury. Richard Sherman intercepted a pass in that game. He is out with a torn Achilles. Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor combined for 10 tackles, a sack, and two pass deflections. This year, both of them are out. Due to these injuries, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert has Seattle ranked No. 3 in the NFL in injury attrition this year behind the Packers and Ravens.
Coming into this season, arguably the biggest question mark on the Eagles’ roster was in the secondary. Despite the questions, though 11 games, that unit has performed admirably. But simply put, they haven’t been tested at an elite level. According to Sharp Football Stats, the only top-10 passing teams that the Eagles have played this season are the LA Chargers (No. 4) and Kansas City Chiefs (No. 10). Philadelphia’s last four opponents have ranked 28th, 27th, 18th, and 30th in passing efficiency.
Wilson and Friends
Russell Wilson’s top four targets – Doug Baldwin, Jimmy Graham, Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett – have each played at least three seasons with him. They have good chemistry. They know what to do when he scrambles.
Wilson’s arm and legs have kept the Seattle offense afloat because they have received abysmal production from the running back position. Wilson has 225 more yards on three less carries than Eddie Lacy this season. On first and second downs, Seattle is averaging 2.8 yards per carry. No other team is below 3.2 (Courtesy Ben Baldwin).
Despite the injuries, Seattle’s pass defense will still present a challenge for Carson Wentz. The Seahawks rank No. 5 in Sharp’s Pass Success Defense, No. 9 in Explosive Pass Defense, and No. 9 in Passing Efficiency Defense.
On May 30, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook released its NFL Games of the Year, and Seattle was a 7-point favorite in this contest. Because of the Eagle’s success and Seattle’s injury issues, The Seahawks are 6-point home underdogs. The Eagles are better than the Seahawks in every major metric, but how will Doug Pederson’s squad handle a primetime night game with the bullseye on its back?
