CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 15: Chris Carson #32 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Without their top two running backs, the Seahawks are placing more pressure on the shoulders of Russell Wilson.
Seattle faces a tough task on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks were handled last week by the Buffalo Bills, and could now fall back into a tie in the NFC West with the Rams and Arizona Cardinals should they lose again to their division foe. The schedule doesn’t get any easier in the coming weeks, with tests against the Cards and Eagles looming.
Wilson is having an MVP season, but without any relief from the running game the Seahawks offensive will be incredibly predictable, and pass-heavy. Even with all of their weapons every offense needs some appearance of a running game.
Both Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde are out against the vaunted Rams defense, so expect Alex Collins to be the next man up. Collins is a few seasons removed from the successful year with the Baltimore Ravens, in which he nearly ran for 1,000 yards in 2017.
The Seahawks are underdogs in Los Angeles
Aaron Donald and the Rams possess a legitimate pass rush. Seattle’s offensive line has failed to protect Wilson at times this season, and has been inconsistent dating back years. Pressuring Wilson will be key to the Rams gameplan, and the understanding that Seattle can’t offer any sort of relief in the run game will only aid their pass defense.
Carson has now missed three games in a row after suffering a foot sprain against the Arizona Cardinals. Hyde, meanwhile, is dealing with a hamstring injury.