SERIES HISTORY
This is the 19th regular-season meeting between the Seahawks and Jets, and the first time the teams have played since 2012. Seattle holds a 10-8 series lead, including winning each of the previous two matchups, the most recent of which was a 28-7 victory in 2012 at CenturyLink Field. However, the Seahawks have lost their past five road games against the Jets, all five coming at The Meadowlands — the most recent of those was a 37-14 defeat in 2004. New York now plays its home games at MetLife Stadium, the site of Seattle’s 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
KEY MATCHUP
Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson vs. the Seahawks’ offensive line
The NFL season is just four weeks old, and already the Seahawks have run the gamut when it comes to facing elite interior defensive linemen. In Week 1 it was a date with the Miami Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh. In Week 2 it was the annual headache better known as the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald. This week it’s Wilkerson.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Wilkerson is one of the best all-around defensive linemen in the NFL. The sixth-year pro is coming off a season in which he finished with 12 sacks and was named to his first Pro Bowl. Through three games this season, he’s recorded 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits. He’s equally proficient against the run and the pass, and in the offseason the Jets rewarded him with a five-year, $86 million contract.
What makes Wilkerson particularly dangerous is his versatility, as he will line up as an edge pass rusher, a three-technique and a nose tackle. That means it won’t be any particular Seattle offensive lineman who’s responsible for Wilkerson, it will be all of them.
Seattle’s offensive line did not fare well against Suh and Donald. Suh had four tackles and a sack — the sack that famously sprained Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s right ankle — as Seattle managed just 12 points against the Dolphins. Donald didn’t have any sacks, but he did have four tackles and was a disruptive force on the interior as the Seahawks put just three points on the board against the Rams. In both games Seattle struggled to establish its run game.
Things got better for Seattle’s offensive line last week against the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks scored 37 points and were particularly improved with their run blocking, as running back Christine Michael broke free for 106 yards on 20 carries and ran for two touchdowns. Seattle coach Pete Carroll had particular praise for the left side of the line — consisting of left tackle Bradley Sowell and left guard Mark Glowinski — for its efforts against the 49ers.
However, the 49ers’ defensive line isn’t the Jets’ defensive line. Wilkerson and his buddies Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams will present a far different challenge than the one presented by San Francisco. Sunday’s game will determine whether last week’s performance by Seattle’s offensive line represents legitimate improvement, or if was just the product of inferior competition.
KEY NUMBER
152.1 The Seahawk quarterbacks’ rating when targeting receiver Doug Baldwin during last week’s victory over San Francisco. Baldwin caught eight of 10 targets for a career-high 164 yards and a touchdown. The number is just under the maximum QB rating of 158.3, and Baldwin’s number for the season is a lofty 131.1.
IMPORTANT INJURIES
Seahawks — Most importantly, quarterback Russell Wilson (ankle/knee) made it through the week and will start. Seattle remains without running back Thomas Rawls (fibula), who has no timetable for his return. Tight end Jimmy Graham (knee/back) was listed as questionable, but he practiced Friday and is expected to play. Guard Germain Ifedi (ankle), the team’s first-round draft pick, is set to make his NFL debut after missing the first three games. Linebacker Mike Morgan (hip), defensive tackle Jarran Reed (hip) and tight end Nick Vannett (ankle) will be game-time decisions.
Jets — New York suffered a blow when starting receiver Eric Decker (shoulder) was ruled out. However, his partner in crime, receiver Brandon Marshall (knee), has been declared good to go. Starting left tackle Ryan Clady (shoulder) is listed as questionable, but coach Todd Bowles said Clady will play. Receiver Jalin Marshall (shoulder) being out means the Jets are without their top return man.
BREAK IT DOWN
The Seahawks will win if they …
Continue to get effective running from Christine Michael. Injuries to Thomas Rawls have handed Michael the job as Seattle’s workhorse running back. Michael responded well last week when he broke multiple big runs in surpassing the 100-yard barrier for just the second time in his career. The Seahawks will need more of the same this week against a Jets run defense that ranks third in the NFL.
Keep Russell Wilson upright. Seattle’s quarterback has suffered more physical damage this season than he did in the previous four seasons combined, and on Sunday he’ll be playing despite dealing with both a sprained right ankle and a sprained MCL in his left knee. The Seahawks need to do everything they can to prevent Wilson from taking any hits that may exacerbate his injuries.
Overcome jet lag. The game in New York means the Seahawks not only have to deal with a 3,000-mile commute, they’ll be playing a game that starts at 10 a.m. PDT. For all of Seattle’s success in recent years, the Seahawks have had issues when they’ve traveled east, finishing 3-3 in games not on the West Coast last season. Seattle will need its alarm clocks to be fully functional.
The Jets will win if they …
Eliminate inteceptions. New York quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had an unfortunately historic outing in last week’s 24-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing six interceptions — that’s the most interceptions a quarterback has thrown in a single NFL game since Peyton Manning of Indianapolis in 2007. The Jets have no chance if Fitzpatrick continues to target opposing defensive backs.
Ride Matt Forte. There was some skepticism when the Jets signed the 30-year-old Forte to be their primary running back during the offseason. However, Forte has been a dependable source of yardage, ranking sixth in the NFL with 261 rushing yards through three games. The Jets need Forte to find some success running the ball in order to open up the passing game.
Beat the Seahawks deep. So far this season, opposing offenses have been reluctant to take chances against Seattle’s defense, keeping passes short to reduce the risk of turnovers. However, the Jets are more willing to throw deep, with 13 completions of 20-plus yards already this season after having just 56 last season. New York will need to hit a few of those.
PICK
Jets 16, Seahawks 13
This game has more variables than most, with the quarterbacks being the biggest issues — Russell Wilson’s health coming off two injuries, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s state of mind after throwing six picks. But the strength of the Jets is their defensive line, and Seattle had fits trying to deal with formidible defensive fronts against Miami and Los Angeles. Add in the long trip east and it’s easy to envision this being one that slips past the Seahawks.
Nick Patterson. Herald Writer
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