Seattle Seahawks Roster, Schedule & Rumors: 5 Reasons Why NFL Champions Should Panic
Last season the Seattle Seahawks went 13-3 in the NFL regular season and won the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos, 43-8.
Unfortunately for the Seahawks, the team is currently 3-3 after six games of play. This team doesn't resemble last year's squad at all, having already matched the loss total from last season.
Here are five reasons it's time to be very concerned in Seattle as the 2014 NFL season rolls on:
1. Lack of Wide Receivers
With Percy Harvin now a New York Jet, Russell Wilson has lost his three favorite wide receivers over the years, the others being Golden Tate and Sidney Rice. The Seahawks pass offense now ranks 29th overall in the league at just 203.7 yards per game through the air. Defenses are stacking the box and daring Russell Wilson to throw more often. Wilson is a good quarterback, but he's not exactly throwing to Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin.
Only one Seahawks receiver has more than one touchdown this season: Ricardo Lockette who has two.
2. Home Field Advantage?
Ever since the Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers on Opening Day, this team hasn't looked unbeatable at home. Last season, the Seahawks were the best team at home winning nine home games, including the playoffs. The 12th man appears to be having a lower impact on opposing offenses. The Dallas Cowboys recently went into Seattle and won, 30-23. Even in Week 3, the Seahawks almost lost to the Broncos during overtime in Seattle. How could the Broncos, who lost by 35 points in New Jersey, force overtime in Seattle?
3. Marshawn Lynch
For whatever reason, Marshawn Lynch just isn't getting the ball enough. Only once this season has Lynch been given more than 20 carries in a game: Week 3 against Broncos. Lynch is still getting his yards when given the opportunity, as he does have an impressive 4.3 yards per carry average. Last season, Lynch had 12 rushing touchdowns, creating a balanced attack. This season, Lynch has just three touchdowns on the ground. Wilson is a good quarterback, but it's time for head coach Pete Carroll to give the ball to Lynch more on first down.
4. Not the Same Defense
The 2013 Seahawks defense was one of the greatest defensive units we have ever seen. That squad ranked No. 1 in every defensive category. This year, not so much. Last season, the Seahawks defense allowed 14.4 points per game and 273.6 yards per game; both the fewest in the league. This season, the Seahawks defense is allowing 23.5 points per game and 324 yards per game. That's a very scary differential from last season. Who would have thought the Seahawks would rank 19th overall in points per game this season? Week in and week out, we see Richard Sherman beat for a deep pass. Last season, the Seahawks had a league-leading 28 interceptions; this season, just two.
It appears as if losses to their defensive line have taken their toll on this team.
5. Tough Division
Even last season when the Seahawks went 13-3, they still only won the NFC West division by one game over the San Francisco 49ers. Now, the 49ers, who have been to the NFC title game in three straight years, are currently 4-3, and the Arizona Cardinals lead the division at 5-1. Winning the NFC West at this point in the season will be extremely tough considering the competition. A wild card isn't out of the question, but their odds of winning the Super Bowl certainly decrease.
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