Vikings at Seahawks Depth Chart Preview 2019
Nov 30, 2019 23:26:48 GMT -6
Reignman, Funkytown, and 1 more like this
Post by Danchat on Nov 30, 2019 23:26:48 GMT -6
The Vikings, coming fresh off a bye, must prepare to face the 9-2 Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field. Not only will it be a Monday Night Football matchup, but it'll be another road primetime game for Kirk Cousins. He and the Vikings have subverted expectations thus far, and can they continue it?
* My Thoughts *
Russell Wilson is currently playing like an MVP with a subpar supporting cast. They've gone 9-2 with a roster many thought was 8-8 quality, and it's mostly thanks to Russell. With pin-point accuracy and the ability to extend plays, the Vikings are going to be in for a difficult time. The Seahawks will attempt to establish the run with Chris Carson first, though he may be in the doghouse after a ridiculous 7 fumbles this season. Rashaad Penny may be in line for a bigger workload, as the former 1st round pick has some burst, but hasn't been able to topple Carson. The Hawks' O-line is built for run-blocking and struggles with pass protection. Guards Iupati and Fluker are retreads who are decent in the run game, but can be beaten by interior pass rushers. LT Duane Brown has held up well as a pass protector, but has been a below average run blocker. RT Germain Ifedi has consistently been among the NFL's worst RTs and he just can't pass protect. Danielle Hunter should whip him up and down the field. Former practice squadee Joey Hunt is at center with Justin Britt on the IR.
Wilson will be throwing to a solid WR group made up of Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Josh Gordon. Lockett has been a dynamic receiver who has proven is he much more than a kick returner. Trae Waynes will likely follow him when he's not in the slot. Metcalf, who surprisingly slipped to the bottom of the 2nd round, is a great deep threat, and it just so happens Wilson throws the game's best deep ball. Metcalf is a poor catcher and can't run routes, so he's more of a one-trick pony. Gordon hasn't been the same explosive player he used to be in Cleveland, and I'm unsure if he's a real threat. TE Jacob Hollister has taken over as the receiving TE with Will Dissly on the IR, and has had some success. The Vikings' LBs should be able to keep an eye on him.
On the defensive side of things, the pass rush has been on and off for Seattle. Not a single player has more than 3 sacks, but Jadeveon Clowney is a pressure-making machine who struggles with finishing sacks. He's banged up and likely is not 100%. Ziggy Ansah has been constantly injured for the past two seasons and has been a non-factor. They wasted a 1st round pick on L.J. Collier, a 4th round talent at best. The interior does have Jarran Reed, who was fantastic in 2018 but was suspended this year. He hasn't been himself since the suspension. Ford, Woods, and Jefferson have all been great run stoppers.
The Seahawks use 3 LBs more than any other team in the NFL. Wagner, Wright, and Kendricks will be out there on most plays, though PFF ranks all having seasons worse than their norm. Wagner is still an elite run stopper, but PFF has him with a hideously low score for coverage. Kendricks has been decent in both departments and Wright is a better run defender. I would look to pass to the HBs and TEs to beat these guys.
The Seahawks DBs have been a bit of a mess so far. Shaq Griffin was PFF's second worst CB in 2018 but now he has a Great grade for 2019. He's been their only above-average cover DB, with Tre Flowers struggling and Akeem King getting plugged into the nickel role recently. The Vikings already faced FS Quandre Diggs when they faced the Lions and torched him with plays to the TEs. He's improved since coming to Seattle. SS Bradley McDougald is an underrated player who is solid in coverage, but struggles with tackles. 2nd round rookie Marquise Blair (another major reach) will play some reps in the slot too.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Vikings 20
I went back and forth on who would win this game. The Vikings under Zimmer are better when they have extra time to prepare, but I'm unsure about playing a game in a treacherous environment with a late start time. Factor in Zimmer's inability to beat Seattle, and I can definitely see Wilson carrying his team across the goal line first. I do expect the Vikings to be competitive and look much better than the awful performance they had last year, but I think this one will be too much for them.
Any thoughts?
Injuries
Vikings
LB Ben Gedeon Out
FS Anthony Harris Questionable
DT Linval Joseph Questionable
SS Harrison Smith Questionable
DT Shamar Stephen Questionable
WR Adam Thielen Questionable
Seahawks
LB Mychal Kendricks Questionable
CB Neiko Thorpe Doubtful
FB Nick Bellore Doubtful
TE Luke Willson Questionable
DT Al Woods Questionable
DE Jadeveon Clowney Questionable
DT Jarran Reed Questionable
Vikings
LB Ben Gedeon Out
FS Anthony Harris Questionable
DT Linval Joseph Questionable
SS Harrison Smith Questionable
DT Shamar Stephen Questionable
WR Adam Thielen Questionable
Seahawks
LB Mychal Kendricks Questionable
CB Neiko Thorpe Doubtful
FB Nick Bellore Doubtful
TE Luke Willson Questionable
DT Al Woods Questionable
DE Jadeveon Clowney Questionable
DT Jarran Reed Questionable
* My Thoughts *
Russell Wilson is currently playing like an MVP with a subpar supporting cast. They've gone 9-2 with a roster many thought was 8-8 quality, and it's mostly thanks to Russell. With pin-point accuracy and the ability to extend plays, the Vikings are going to be in for a difficult time. The Seahawks will attempt to establish the run with Chris Carson first, though he may be in the doghouse after a ridiculous 7 fumbles this season. Rashaad Penny may be in line for a bigger workload, as the former 1st round pick has some burst, but hasn't been able to topple Carson. The Hawks' O-line is built for run-blocking and struggles with pass protection. Guards Iupati and Fluker are retreads who are decent in the run game, but can be beaten by interior pass rushers. LT Duane Brown has held up well as a pass protector, but has been a below average run blocker. RT Germain Ifedi has consistently been among the NFL's worst RTs and he just can't pass protect. Danielle Hunter should whip him up and down the field. Former practice squadee Joey Hunt is at center with Justin Britt on the IR.
Wilson will be throwing to a solid WR group made up of Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Josh Gordon. Lockett has been a dynamic receiver who has proven is he much more than a kick returner. Trae Waynes will likely follow him when he's not in the slot. Metcalf, who surprisingly slipped to the bottom of the 2nd round, is a great deep threat, and it just so happens Wilson throws the game's best deep ball. Metcalf is a poor catcher and can't run routes, so he's more of a one-trick pony. Gordon hasn't been the same explosive player he used to be in Cleveland, and I'm unsure if he's a real threat. TE Jacob Hollister has taken over as the receiving TE with Will Dissly on the IR, and has had some success. The Vikings' LBs should be able to keep an eye on him.
On the defensive side of things, the pass rush has been on and off for Seattle. Not a single player has more than 3 sacks, but Jadeveon Clowney is a pressure-making machine who struggles with finishing sacks. He's banged up and likely is not 100%. Ziggy Ansah has been constantly injured for the past two seasons and has been a non-factor. They wasted a 1st round pick on L.J. Collier, a 4th round talent at best. The interior does have Jarran Reed, who was fantastic in 2018 but was suspended this year. He hasn't been himself since the suspension. Ford, Woods, and Jefferson have all been great run stoppers.
The Seahawks use 3 LBs more than any other team in the NFL. Wagner, Wright, and Kendricks will be out there on most plays, though PFF ranks all having seasons worse than their norm. Wagner is still an elite run stopper, but PFF has him with a hideously low score for coverage. Kendricks has been decent in both departments and Wright is a better run defender. I would look to pass to the HBs and TEs to beat these guys.
The Seahawks DBs have been a bit of a mess so far. Shaq Griffin was PFF's second worst CB in 2018 but now he has a Great grade for 2019. He's been their only above-average cover DB, with Tre Flowers struggling and Akeem King getting plugged into the nickel role recently. The Vikings already faced FS Quandre Diggs when they faced the Lions and torched him with plays to the TEs. He's improved since coming to Seattle. SS Bradley McDougald is an underrated player who is solid in coverage, but struggles with tackles. 2nd round rookie Marquise Blair (another major reach) will play some reps in the slot too.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Vikings 20
I went back and forth on who would win this game. The Vikings under Zimmer are better when they have extra time to prepare, but I'm unsure about playing a game in a treacherous environment with a late start time. Factor in Zimmer's inability to beat Seattle, and I can definitely see Wilson carrying his team across the goal line first. I do expect the Vikings to be competitive and look much better than the awful performance they had last year, but I think this one will be too much for them.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.