SERIES HISTORY
Sunday’s game will be the rubber match between Seattle and Cincinnati, at least for now. The teams have met 18 times and the series is tied 9-9. They haven’t faced one another since Oct. 30, 2011, when the Bengals prevailed 34-12 in Seattle in a game noted for being Richard Sherman’s first career start at cornerback for the Seahawks. The teams have played only once at Paul Brown Stadium, with Cincinnati winning 27-24 in 2003.
KEY MATCHUP
Seahawks pass protection
vs. Bengals pass rush
The big talk all week long around the Seahawks’ camp was about the offensive line and its struggles, particularly in pass protection. Seattle gave up six sacks in its 13-10 victory over the Detroit Lions last Monday night, and QB Russell Wilson was the subject of another 10 QB hits. That continued a worrying trend for the Seahawks, as Wilson was sacked 18 times in Seattle’s first four games. The 18 sacks ties Wilson with Kansas City’s Alex Smith for the most times sacked in the NFL this season.
And Smith is all too familiar with Cincinnati’s defensive front. His Chiefs faced the Bengals last week, and Smith was sacked five times as Cincinnati beat Kansas City 36-21. The Bengals finished dead last in the NFL in sacks last season with just 20. But so far this season Cincinnati has 11 sacks, which is tied for sixth in the league. Most of that pressure has been caused by Cincinnati’s front four of defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson and defensive tackles Geno Atkins and Domata Peko, who have 9.5 of those 11 sacks.
“Our guys are doing a good job,” Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis said. “The most important thing is getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands, and we’re happy with that. We’ve got to continue with that, and if coverage and rush match up then you get an opportunity for sacks.”
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are trying to find a way of limiting the sacks, whether it’s a matter of protecting Wilson better or having Wilson get rid of the ball before the pass rush arrives.
“We had some issues [against Detroit], and it wasn’t any one guy,” Seattle head coach Pete Carroll sad. “It was just stuff happened, and we needed to help them better. This is the reality of it, there’s a lot of things that enter into it, and sometimes it’s getting the ball out when we have the chance to before the rush gets there. We missed a couple blocks, we missed a couple looks at stuff, and they did a nice job with the pressure that they brought, too. So I’m really thinking about pass protection when I’m saying all that, that we need to get better there, and it’s just ongoing and we’re going to continue to work at it.”
KEY NUMBERS
422.0 The number of yards per game Cincinnati is averaging through the first four games of the season. That ranks second in the NFL to the New England Patriots.
IMPORTANT INJURIES
Seahawks — For the second straight week Seattle is without No. 1 RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring). The Seahawks hoped Lynch would be able to return this week, but he was ruled out Friday. RB Fred Jackson (ankle) is questionable, possibly leaving Seattle short at the position. Seattle also has depth issues at cornerback with Tharold Simon (toe) and Marcus Burley (thumb) both out and Tye Smith (hip) doubtful.
Bengals — Cincinnati is mostly healthy. The only starter on this week’s injury report is SS George Iloka (ankle), who missed last week’s game against Kansas City and is listed as questionable.
BREAK IT DOWN
Seahawks will win if they …
>> Protect, protect, protect. Yes, it was mentioned in depth above, but it is absolutely imperative that Seattle’s offensive line give Wilson time, not only to throw, but to prevent Wilson from having to run for his life.
>> Channel Lynch. Seattle’s workhorse running back has been ruled out for a second straight week, bringing Thomas Rawls back to the forefront. The Seahawks need Rawls to tap into Lynch’s spirit (and legs) in order for Seattle to control the ball and keep Cincinnati’s quick-strike offense off the field.
>> Get some interceptions. As well as Seattle’s secondary has played this season, the Seahawks have yet to intercept a single pass. Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton has a history of interceptions — 53 over the past three seasons — though he’s taken care of the ball better this season with only one pick. Seattle needs to force Dalton back into his old ways.
Bengals will win if they …
>> Continue to see the new Dalton. Through four games Dalton has a passer rating of 123.0, which ranks second in the NFL. In each of his previous four seasons Dalton finished the season with a passer rating in the 80s. Cincinnati needs this new Dalton to be the true one, rather than see a regression to the norm.
>> Win the battle against Seattle’s defensive line. The Seahawks have a strong D-line, but the Bengals have received a dominating performance from their offensive line this season, allowing just two sacks and tying for seventh in the league in rushing yards. Control the trench on offense and the Seahawks are in trouble.
>> Kick the ball away from Tyler Lockett. Detroit was the first team that made a concerted effort of kicking the ball away from Seattle’s electric rookie return man, and it seemed to do the trick. The Bengals have been good on both offense and defense, so they don’t want to spoil that by giving up a big play on special teams.
PICK
Bengals 20, Seahawks 13
Beating an undefeated opponent when playing on the road requires a team firing on all cylinders. While Seattle’s defense seems to be up to speed, the offense isn’t there yet. It’s hard to see a team that needed a desperation goal-line play to fend off winless Detroit at home being able to conquer high-flying Cincinnati on the road.
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