Seahawks Set to Take on Jets in Trap Game

This Seahawks-Jets matchup doesn’t have all of the trappings of a normal “trap game,” but today’s game in New Jersey could have lasting effects.

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I cringed a bit every time I heard sunshine and daisies coming out of Seahawks‘ practices about Russell Wilson‘s knee sprain this week. I couldn’t help but recall images of former Washington DC quarterback Robert Griffin III gimping around a muddy field in 2012, trying to stay upright against a mean Seahawks front on a sprained knee. That Wild Card playoff game exacerbated Griffin’s injury, setting him back several seasons and forcing him to get injured again for the Browns this year.

Wilson sprained his knee in last week’s win over the 49ers. For some reason, he played in a blowout a few plays before Pete Carroll and company finally had the good sense to pull him. Being a careful, cautiously optimistic Seattle sports fan, I would rather hear that Wilson isn’t playing this week on an injured knee hear he’s trying to suit up.

Back to why this is a “trap game” for Seattle: The Jets aren’t exactly push-overs, but New York quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick through six interceptions against Kansas City last week (helping one of my fantasy teams, The Mile High Club, eke out a less-than-two-point victory). Their normally reliable second receiver behind Pro Bowl wideout Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, is out with an injury. The Jets are a team reeling from a terrible offensive performance, which makes them seem like prime blowout candidates, even at home.

But as we saw against the Rams, a limping Russell Wilson behind a terrible offensive line against a good defensive front isn’t fun to watch. The line could be improved with the addition of rookie Germain Ifedi, who immediately slides into starting right guard against one of the best defensive lines in the league, led by Muhammad Wilkerson.

I don’t know what Wilson’s knee actually looks or feels like, nor could I give you or him a diagnosis, but starting Wilson with a sprained knee might give the Seahawks a better chance to win this game, at the risk of weeks to come.

Next: How to Fix the Offensive Line (in 2017)

Stay tuned to this game at 10 a.m. to see how Wilson moves and throws on the run, probably his deadliest weapon and tactical advantage as a quarterback.