Seahawks Matchup Spotlight: Captain Kirk (And Score Prediction!)

The Seahawks face Washington on Sunday looking for their fifth-straight win. How will the defense rebound against Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins?

Before we go any further, it’s important to note that Washington will be missing several key pieces of their offense when they take the field against the Seahawks on Sunday. Probably the most important offensive player missing for Washington will be Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams, who is doubtful with a knee injury.

Williams could still play, but if he misses the game, it will be a big blow to Kirk Cousins and Washington, who will struggle to block the Seahawks’ defensive line without their rock at left tackle.

Also expected to miss the game are tight ends Jordan Reed (no surprise*) and Niles Paul, leaving familiar foe Vernon Davis the likely starter at tight end. Expect Davis to serve as an outlet for Cousins time and time again, so we could see a repeat of this hit by Kam Chancellor:

Will Davis have a flashback of this hit when he returns to the CLink? I hope so.

Washington running back Robert Kelley is also listed as questionable, and starting guard Shawn Lauvao is out with a stinger.

It appears that an angry Seahawks team, eager to avenge the 38 points dropped on them by Houston (pray for Deshaun Watson, everyone, or tweet him your well-wishes) will match up well with Cousins and banged-up Washington, but Seattle has injury problems of their own.

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Safety Earl Thomas hurt his hamstring chasing Watson and his various receivers around last week and was ruled out today by Pete Carroll. Unlike last season, however, when Thomas broke his leg and essentially broke the Legion of Boom along with it, the Seahawks are prepared for a Thomas injury this season. Former Buccaneers’ starting safety Bradley McDougald will fill in.

Overall, I don’t see Washington moving the ball like Houston did last week. Cousins is a good quarterback, but without his starting left tackle and several of his receiving options against a Seattle defense ready to atone for getting torched last week, I don’t see Washington lighting up the scoreboard on the road. I predict a relatively easy victory following yet another second-half surge by the Hawks: 24-14.

Next: Seahawks Matchup Spotlight: Washington's Defense

The Seahawks will kick off at CenturyLink Field at 1:05 PT on Sunday. The game will be broadcast on Fox.

*I dropped him in one of my fantasy leagues and rolled with Washington Huskies product Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who got me all of two points and had another TD called back. Sigh.