Chiefs-Seahawks Preview: Seattle Spotlight

It’s Patrick Mahomes versus Russell Wilson. We have two teams coming off of heartbreaking losses. It’s a huge game that means a lot for both the AFC and NFC playoff pictures on Sunday Night Football.  Let’s get started on the headlines for Sunday night’s Chiefs-Seahawks game.

Chief Attack

When the Chiefs offense started off hot last week, the Chargers defense was helpless. L.A. couldn’t stop any RPO throws from Mahomes, swift, hard-cutting runs by Damien Williams or screen passes in every direction to a few different receivers. They were stifled in the second half, though. And even though the defense blew the two-touchdown lead, the offense was slowed down by penalties, dropped passes and no room to run.

On Sunday night, the Chiefs must be able to keep attacking the Seahawks defense. We know the Chiefs have the highest scoring offense in the league. Even though the Seahawks have Wilson manning the offense, Seattle may not be capable of staying with Kansas City if the Chiefs keep piling on points. The Chiefs need to come out taking shots. Get the Seahawks defense caught expecting misdirection like the Chargers faced early last week, and then keep a balanced attack while pushing the ball downfield vertically.

Also, all three Chiefs losses have come in primetime, so that’s another reason to want to come out firing.

Born to Run

Like the Ravens from two games ago, the Chiefs opponent this week is advertised as a perpetual rushing offense. Seattle currently leads the league in rushing yards on the season, just under two hundred more yards than the Ravens have. The Seahawks are averaging just over 150 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry as well. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have the 26th ranked rushing defense and are averaging 5 yards per carry allowed.

The Seahawks are led in the running game mostly by Chris Carson. Mike Davis will also get some shots to run the rock too. That is not to mention Rashaad Penny who is questionable to play this week. What’s crazy, the Seahawks are having one of their best years running the ball with Wilson, yet he isn’t relied on to run too much. Wilson only has 321 rushing yards on the season and no rushing touchdowns. In his career, Wilson only has one season where he hasn’t had at least 489 rushing yards. It’s likely he may not get there this season though.

Two games ago the Chiefs weren’t perfect, but they did hold the Ravens to their lowest rushing total with Lamar Jackson. As the game went on, the Chiefs defense improved against Baltimore’s attack. They have to make sure to not let the Seahawks hold on to the ball too long, that way the Chiefs still possess the ball enough to win. But if Kansas City scores enough early, the Seahawks may be forced to flip their game script.

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Matchup to Watch: Chiefs Defensive Line vs Seahawks Offensive Line

There was an uproar earlier in the week about Chris Jones being one of the top Pro Bowl snubs. Yet, how much does the Pro Bowl really matter? Jones will just have to keep continuing to dominate. He is currently at 14 sacks, which is just 2.5 behind the uber-talented league leader Aaron Donald. Jones and the rest of the Chiefs defensive front continue to bring constant pressure and they have another chance to do it again this week.

On the other hand, the Seahawks have needed to retool the offensive line for a while now. They have been somewhat better this season, but consistency is still missing. Seattle has allowed 42 sacks and 79 quarterback hits. Also going into Sunday, the Seahawks offensive line is banged up. Both veteran D.J. Fluker and Germain Ifedi are questionable.

Statistical Notes

So far this season, the Seahawks have allowed 31.3 points per game when facing a top-five scoring offense and have lost every time in that instance. In comparison, Seattle has allowed just 18 points per game to other offenses not in the top five in scoring this season. The advantage here is on the Chiefs side.

Travis Kelce could achieve history on Sunday night. He is currently 108 yards shy of breaking Rob Gronkowski‘s record from 2011 for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season. Kelce has had 108+ receiving yards in four games this season.

Thank you for reading. Be fully prepared for week 16 by checking out all of the great content on Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is a Kansas City Chiefs writer for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9 Follow @FPC_Chiefs and Facebook.

– Kyle Senra is the editor for the Kansas City Chiefs on Full Press Coverage. Like and follow on Follow @nyama_ks Follow @FPC_NFL and Facebook.