Seattle Seahawks At Kansas City Chiefs Notes

The Seattle Seahawks lost their first preseason game, a 22-20 defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos. Despite the loss, it was a strong performance for the team’s rookies, most notably the ones who seem best positioned to make a long-term impact. Now one week closer to the regular season opener, the ‘Hawks will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in preseason tune-up number two.

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KC, like Denver, is a team that’s had it’s share of recent success. After a dismas 2-14 season in 2012, the Chiefs have posted-back-to-back winning records, including a monstrous 9-0 start to their eventual 11-5 2013. Also like Denver is the fact that they’re worse than the Seahawks. Because everyone is. Thought this would be a nice time for that reminder.

The game will begin at 5:00 PST on Friday afternoon, and will be played at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. There’s no official word on the Seahawks’ plan of approach for this game versus the one they played at home last Friday, but it stands to reason that the ‘Hawks will give some increased playing time to their starters. Because those are the guys they’ll turn to during the regular season, after all.

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As for the Chiefs, they’ve already confirmed as much. Andy Reid‘s team has a clear game plan: the starters will stay in for “close to a half,” then roughly a quarter each will go to the second and third teams. KC is “hoping” that Marshawn Lynch will get a chance to play, as they’re antsy to see how their new defense stacks up against the game’s best running back. An opponent wants to play against Beast Mode! Savor this, for this will never happen again.

On the Seahawks’ end, coach Pete Carroll has indicated that the starters will play more, though he hasn’t said exactly how much more. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a breakdown similar to that outlined by the Chiefs’ coach. Matching up the first, second, and third teams as much as possible is in everyone’s best interest.

August 14, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll watches game action against the Denver Broncos during the second half in a preseason NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The worst part of last week’s matchup was, of course, the total collapse of the offensive line. Unable to overcome what appeared to be communication issues, the line fell flat on pass protection and was ultimately subject to a bit of a reshuffling this week. In addition to the expected (and unrelated) flip-flop of Lemuel Jeanpierre and Drew Nowak at center, the team also moved Justin Britt to left guard, Gary Gilliam to left guard, and Alvin Bailey to purgatory. Carroll, for what it’s worth, is “anxious.”

Other than the reworked o-line, the most notable difference figures to be the lack of Frank Clark. Clark, who was a consistent standout in his professional debut last Friday, has been limited with an ankle injury all week and seems highly unlikely to take the field in Kansas City. Seahawks fans will be disappointed not to get another look at him, but know that there’s nothing wrong with exercising precaution – especially with such a promising player.

Seahawks fans also might get their first glimpse at Richard Sherman since the Super Bowl. Sherm’s been practicing with the team after a hip flexor issue kept him out a week ago. He’s not a lock to play tomorrow, but I’d personally be surprised if he didn’t take the field.

Game two! Or fake game two, if you’d rather. The Seahawks still have a lot to figure out in advance of their regular season opener, and this should go a long way towards answering some of the lingering roster questions. Seahawks at Chiefs, 5:00pm start time. Go team go.

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