Head coach Pete Carroll and first-year defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt run the Seattle defense. Carroll has been a defensive genius throughout his career, from his time at USC to his early days in Seattle, creating the “Legion of Boom.” At its core, it is a base 4-3 with single-high coverages (Cover 3 and Cover 1) in the secondary.
To keep things fresh Carroll and Hurtt have evolved their defense and actually run more 3-4 nowadays. It’s been a tough transition, however, as it seems much of the Seahawks’ defensive personnel is still more of a fit for the 4-3. The front seven has struggled mightily as Seattle ranks 31st in run defense.
The Seahawks have allowed at least 100 rushing yards in six-straight games. Last week the San Fransisco 49ers ran for 170 yards against them and Las Vegas Raiders’ running back Josh Jacobs rushed for a 2022 league-high 229 yards on the Seattle defense.
Last week the Chiefs rushed for a season-high 189 yards against a poor Texans’ run defense. It makes sense that they would want to carry that momentum over against the Seahawks, especially since this game will be played in artic-like temperatures. Isiah Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon have become one of the best 1-2 punch running back tandems in the NFL.
Back in the Seahawks’ secondary, they rank in the middle of the pack in pass defense at 17th. They have a great safety duo in Quandre Diggs, who is a two-time Pro Bowler, and Ryan Neal, who is PFF’s No. 1 ranked safety. It should be interesting to see how Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce matches up with Diggs and Neal.
Seattle has talent at cornerback, but also inexperience with rookies Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant as well as third-year man Mike Jackson. Expect Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes to test the young Seattle corners, but he’ll have to be leery of Diggs and Neal roaming the field.
Chiefs Wire USA Today
