The Seahawks will be back on the road this week after Monday night’s thrilling and controversial 14-12 win over the Green Bay Packers on a Golden Tate touchdown reception with no time remaining.
Opinions were strong from both national media and Seattle fans, and players and coaches spent much of the week offering first-hand perspective on the play the football world can’t stop talking about.
“These games are so important and so hard to come by to get wins,” Carroll said in his Wednesday press conference. “I’m sensitive to that and understand that. It’s extremely important we do a great job and make sure our focus is right on point getting ready for the Rams.” Indeed it will be a division foe awaiting head coach Pete Carroll’s squad this week in the Edward Jones Dome (10 a.m. PDT, FOX TV, 710 ESPN Radio and 97.3 FM), as the 1-2 St. Louis Rams will look to get back in the division race at the season’s quarter pole under new head coach Jeff Fisher.
While the two pass offenses are both ranked in the bottom third of the league, the Seahawks have a decided advantage in the run game, with the sixth ranked rushing offense in the NFL at 141.3 yards per game. St. Louis, using the combination of backfield stalwart Steven Jackson (140 yards on 41 attempts) and Daryl Richardson (119 yards on 21 attempts), has managed just under 96 yards per thus far, good for 20th in the league.
Seattle’s defense will look to continue its dominance against the pass when it takes the field against St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford after sacking Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers eight times in the first half last week (nine for the game).
Carroll said the unit’s ability to get pressure could again be a tipping point in the game.
“He’s big and strong and has that look and can make all the throws,” Carroll said of Bradford. “I think he’s a really good player and is doing really well.”
Bradford will only be effective if given the time from his offensive line, which has been an issue so far in 2012 as the Rams have allowed 12 sacks already in only three games. This week they will be forced to contend with NFC Defensive Player of the Week Chris Clemons, who recorded four in the second quarter of Monday’s win. Since 2010, Clemons has the fourth most sacks in the league with 27.
“The thing we were most impressed with was how it tied together with coverage down the field,” Carroll said of the effort from the front seven.
Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense will look to build on the momentum of the game-winning touchdown drive last week after struggling for much of the second half with penalties and an overall inconsistent performance.
The Seahawks ran only ten offensive plays before the game’s final drive, as the Packers scored 12 unanswered points and forced Wilson and the Seattle offense into a pair of three-and-outs and a turnover on downs.
Seattle has history on its side, having won 13 of the last 14 meetings with the Rams, including a pair of victories in 2011.
He’s big and strong and has that look and can make all the throws. I think he’s a really good player and is doing really well.It’s extremely important we do a great job and make sure our focus is right on point getting ready for the Rams.
It’s always so difficult when it doesn’t work out. These games are so important so hard to come by to get wins. It hurts when you don’t get it done and it’s awesome when you do. I’m sensitive to that and understand that.
You can already see in the makeup of their play how tough they are and physical they are. This is a very difficult game for us and we have to get on track in a short week.
