Week 10 Seattle Seahawks UKHTTC Pregame Analysis - Quick Read

In a season long series, UKHTTC founder, Christian Burt, previews weekly key match ups, hot takes, and keys to the win. We reach Week 10, and the Commanders are on the road to face the 5-3 Seattle Seahawks

Hot Take

The Commanders do not get hit for a single big explosive play the entire game.

As a unit, we are starting to see growth from the Washington backfield and, despite the out the pocket danger of Geno Smith slinging to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, the likes of Fuller, St-Juste and Curl bring their A-game to Lumen Field.

It is a good day for those willing to ‘do their job’ in burgundy & gold with no 40+ yardage plays allowed.

History

In 2017, Washington was minus six starters, including three on the offensive line. And yet Kirk Cousins led a 70-yard drive in just 35 seconds for a highly unexpected 17-14 road win. There were x2 30+ yard throws on drive to two Washington receivers.

Prizes for guessing who the WRs were? Answers at the bottom of the blog!

The all-time record is 13-6 in the favour of Washington.

Key match ups

An intriguing matchup will be Seahawks OLB Boye Mafe vs Commanders LT Charles Leno Jnr.

And by intriguing, I mean worrying. Mafe was a second-round draft pick in 2022 and is making strides this season with six sacks including a strip sack of Lamar Jackson in an otherwise disappointing team showing by the Seahawks.

The Washington OL has done a better job lately, but I do fear a potential regression in this Week 10 match-up. Bend don’t break might be the order of the day, but I fear for Leno Jnr in a strength match up vs this explosive OLB.

Keys to win?

The Seahawks were limited to just three points vs the Ravens, so stifle the crowd and Seahawk spirit by keeping them under 10 points in the first half. A three and out first Seattle possession would be a nice start.

Geno Smith has been less accurate when passing from the pocket; containment and discipline from the DL, although it should be noted the Seahawks OL is a lot healthier than past weeks.

On the OFF side of the ball, if QB Sam Howell has the time and internal clock going, then Washington could have some success targeting Tariq Woolen. Woolen was being hyped as the next Richard Sherman in 2022, but the rookie Pro Bowler is not performing that way in 2023.

Devon Witherspoon has the potential to be a great CB in the NFL, but I do like Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson up against these two young players in both intermediate and deep ball coverage situations.

Spotlight player(s)

I am going for two on the DEF side of the ball for Commanders.

Safety Kam Curl is essentially the eyes and ears of the Commanders DEF and against Seattle who really mix up their plays this will be vital. Awareness of sweeps, play action etc will be vital.

Secondly, Emmanuel Forbes Jnr is looking more settled at NFL level. With Geno Smith throwing up seven INTs in 2023, a more disciplined and resilient Forbes Jnr might grab a pick this evening.

Predictions

The Seahawks fans will view this one as very ‘winnable’ and a great opportunity to bounce back from their Ravens drubbing.

Despite some shaky Washington OL play, the Commanders DEF outperform their OFF colleagues and keep Seattle to just 20 points.

Dotson and McLaurin have a good overall day vs the Seahawks backfield and Washington put up 24 to take the Win on the Road and get to .500.

**Those WRs were Brian Quick and Josh Doctson!