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How to Fix the Seahawks: Part One–Offense

By Ben Renner

Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Seahawks
Jan 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) runs against Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) during the first quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The Seahawks bowed out of the playoff race last week in a loss to Atlanta that exposed some of the flaws that have plagued the team for two seasons. Here are the offensive kinks that hurt the Hawks and how we can fix them.

The Seahawks’ 36-20 loss to Atlanta last week was as troubling as it was disappointing. Facing a dynamic and talented team on the road exposed many of the flaws we already knew were plaguing this team. But the Seahawks‘ loss also signified what Seattle sports writing legend Art Thiel himself called “an undisputed demonstration that the Seahawks have drifted down from the top tier of the NFL.”

In most statistical categories, the Seahawks drifted away from their normal excellence in 2016. They averaged 22.1 points per game (19th in the NFL), 357.2 yards per game (12th), 257.8 passing yards per game (10th), and 99.4 rushing yards per game (25th). Their mediocre offense was buoyed by a top-tier defense (3rd in points allowed, 5th in yards allowed, 8th in passing yards allowed, 7th in rushing yards allowed).

But you know the story by now. The defense lost its anchor in Earl Thomas and couldn’t recover. Good offenses like the Falcons and Packers rolled them easily.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Seahawks struggled all season with blocking issues, mostly with protecting Russell Wilson, and all the coaching and skill player talent in the world couldn’t save them. Let’s start with what we’ve known since last season:

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