Seahawks at Vikings Depth Chart Preview 2021
Sept 24, 2021 19:40:49 GMT -6
Funkytown, Oracle Bone Diviner, and 4 more like this
Post by Danchat on Sept 24, 2021 19:40:49 GMT -6
The Vikings' season is threatening to fall off the rails with a 0-3 start if they cannot overcome the Seahawks, a foe that Zimmer has never toppled. With the fans finally back at US Bank Stadium, can they finally defeat Seattle?
Injury Report
Vikings
HB Cook Questionable
LB Barr Out
LT Darrisaw Out
CB Hand Out (COVID)
Seahawks
WR Eskridge Out
HB Penny Out
RT Shell Out
DE Mayowa Questionable
Line:
Seahawks -1.5 (70% of bettors on Seattle)
My Thoughts
QB - Russell Wilson is just as good as he's always been. At 33 years old, he hasn't done as much running as of late, but he's still dangerously mobile in the pocket. Add in a [FINALLY!] upgraded O-line and a strong commitment from the OC to let Russ cook, Wilson is primed for another big year.
HB - Chris Carson is the feature back once again. The former 7th rounder has looked healthy and spry and is a consistently above average back. Rashaad Penny was expected for push for snaps, but he can never stay healthy. Travis Homer will spell Carson, but he's a subpar back. There's a big drop-off if something happens to Carson.
WR/TE - Lockett and Metcalf have been a dynamic duo, but so far in 2021, Lockett has gone nuclear with a 12/278/3 line. Metcalf has been quieter, but he's certainly capable of dominating our pathetic CBs. With 2nd rounder Eskridge out, Freddie Swain, a 2020 6th rounder, will fill in his spot. Swain had a great first game of the year against the Titans last week with a 5/95/1 line. At TE, the Seahawks have rotated both Everett and Dissly. The scouts have been waiting a long time for Everett to break out, but it just hasn't happened. Dissly is a fine blocker and has had a few big games as a receiver in the past.
OL - Finally, Seattle has a capable offensive line! For years Wilson has had to run for his life, but the previously two seasons they've finally addressed it. Duane Brown is getting up there in age, but he's just as good as when he was with the Texans. Gabe Jackson was acquired from the Raiders and is no longer at his peak, but having an average option is better than having a total liability. Pocic has struggled with injuries and has been a poor pass protector, looking like the one weak link in this O-line. 2020 3rd rounder Damien Lewis had a fantastic rookie season, but has had a couple rough games to start 2021. With Shell hurt, the Seahawks will start Jamarco Jones, a young backup who has started a few games before. Hunter should be in for a feast again him.
DL - This looks like one of the weaker D-lines in the NFL. Carlos Dunlap is the biggest name, with 87.5 career sacks to his name, but so far he has zero tackles and zero sacks this year. Hyder had a big year in SF last year, but he's more of a rotational guy. So is Mayowa, though 2020 2nd rounder Darrell Taylor has breakout potential. In the interior, Poona Ford has beaten up on the Vikings a few times before as a strong run stuffer, but outside of him there's not much. Green has been a flop as a below average pass rusher and way worse against the run. Collier is a 1st round bust who gets overpowered like a Vikings' offensive lineman. Woods is a decent run stuffer.
LB - Wagner is no longer in the prime of his career, but he's still a HOF-caliber LB who is the heart and soul of the defense. Jordyn Brooks takes over KJ Wright's spot playing 100% of the time, but he's a big liability in coverage and his tackling has been questionable. Instead of using a 3rd LB, the Seahawks instead like to use Marquise Blair as a LB/S hybrid. So far, he's graded among the NFL's worst DBs.
CB - This unit is nearly as weak as the Cardinals' unit last week. Tre Flowers is being used as Seattle's #1 CB, which is seriously questionable as he's been getting ripped up in coverage since 2019. They did find CB DJ Reed on waivers last year and turned him into a full time starting CB. The 5'9" DB is a great tackler and held his own in coverage last year, though I wonder if he can keep up with Thielen/Jefferson. Safety Ugo Amadi is playing in the nickel, and the speedster has been about average in coverage.
S - Jamal Adams was acquired for 2 first round picks and handed a $70M deal, but so far has not been worth the price. His coverage took a dive in 2020 and his missed tackles right spiked. They have to hope that he can get back to his All-Pro level that he was at when the Jets traded him. Diggs is the other safety and is a traditional free safety. PFF has given him mediocre grades since 2020, but that may coincide with him being moved from SS to FS, which isn't his natural position.
Prediction: Vikings 31, Seahawks 28
I predict the Vikings break their 0-2 skid and finally figure out how to beat the Seahawks. Despite their upgraded OL, I think Hunter and the DTs will get pressure on Wilson and buy the weak secondary some time. They will need Cook healthy, but this defense should be able to be pushed around like Arizona's was, allowing for the Vikings to stay in game. Just please, don't let this game come down to another field goal. For all of our sanities!
Injury Report
Vikings
HB Cook Questionable
LB Barr Out
LT Darrisaw Out
CB Hand Out (COVID)
Seahawks
WR Eskridge Out
HB Penny Out
RT Shell Out
DE Mayowa Questionable
Line:
Seahawks -1.5 (70% of bettors on Seattle)
My Thoughts
QB - Russell Wilson is just as good as he's always been. At 33 years old, he hasn't done as much running as of late, but he's still dangerously mobile in the pocket. Add in a [FINALLY!] upgraded O-line and a strong commitment from the OC to let Russ cook, Wilson is primed for another big year.
HB - Chris Carson is the feature back once again. The former 7th rounder has looked healthy and spry and is a consistently above average back. Rashaad Penny was expected for push for snaps, but he can never stay healthy. Travis Homer will spell Carson, but he's a subpar back. There's a big drop-off if something happens to Carson.
WR/TE - Lockett and Metcalf have been a dynamic duo, but so far in 2021, Lockett has gone nuclear with a 12/278/3 line. Metcalf has been quieter, but he's certainly capable of dominating our pathetic CBs. With 2nd rounder Eskridge out, Freddie Swain, a 2020 6th rounder, will fill in his spot. Swain had a great first game of the year against the Titans last week with a 5/95/1 line. At TE, the Seahawks have rotated both Everett and Dissly. The scouts have been waiting a long time for Everett to break out, but it just hasn't happened. Dissly is a fine blocker and has had a few big games as a receiver in the past.
OL - Finally, Seattle has a capable offensive line! For years Wilson has had to run for his life, but the previously two seasons they've finally addressed it. Duane Brown is getting up there in age, but he's just as good as when he was with the Texans. Gabe Jackson was acquired from the Raiders and is no longer at his peak, but having an average option is better than having a total liability. Pocic has struggled with injuries and has been a poor pass protector, looking like the one weak link in this O-line. 2020 3rd rounder Damien Lewis had a fantastic rookie season, but has had a couple rough games to start 2021. With Shell hurt, the Seahawks will start Jamarco Jones, a young backup who has started a few games before. Hunter should be in for a feast again him.
DL - This looks like one of the weaker D-lines in the NFL. Carlos Dunlap is the biggest name, with 87.5 career sacks to his name, but so far he has zero tackles and zero sacks this year. Hyder had a big year in SF last year, but he's more of a rotational guy. So is Mayowa, though 2020 2nd rounder Darrell Taylor has breakout potential. In the interior, Poona Ford has beaten up on the Vikings a few times before as a strong run stuffer, but outside of him there's not much. Green has been a flop as a below average pass rusher and way worse against the run. Collier is a 1st round bust who gets overpowered like a Vikings' offensive lineman. Woods is a decent run stuffer.
LB - Wagner is no longer in the prime of his career, but he's still a HOF-caliber LB who is the heart and soul of the defense. Jordyn Brooks takes over KJ Wright's spot playing 100% of the time, but he's a big liability in coverage and his tackling has been questionable. Instead of using a 3rd LB, the Seahawks instead like to use Marquise Blair as a LB/S hybrid. So far, he's graded among the NFL's worst DBs.
CB - This unit is nearly as weak as the Cardinals' unit last week. Tre Flowers is being used as Seattle's #1 CB, which is seriously questionable as he's been getting ripped up in coverage since 2019. They did find CB DJ Reed on waivers last year and turned him into a full time starting CB. The 5'9" DB is a great tackler and held his own in coverage last year, though I wonder if he can keep up with Thielen/Jefferson. Safety Ugo Amadi is playing in the nickel, and the speedster has been about average in coverage.
S - Jamal Adams was acquired for 2 first round picks and handed a $70M deal, but so far has not been worth the price. His coverage took a dive in 2020 and his missed tackles right spiked. They have to hope that he can get back to his All-Pro level that he was at when the Jets traded him. Diggs is the other safety and is a traditional free safety. PFF has given him mediocre grades since 2020, but that may coincide with him being moved from SS to FS, which isn't his natural position.
Prediction: Vikings 31, Seahawks 28
I predict the Vikings break their 0-2 skid and finally figure out how to beat the Seahawks. Despite their upgraded OL, I think Hunter and the DTs will get pressure on Wilson and buy the weak secondary some time. They will need Cook healthy, but this defense should be able to be pushed around like Arizona's was, allowing for the Vikings to stay in game. Just please, don't let this game come down to another field goal. For all of our sanities!
... and neither is this Chris guy.