The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

The Saints are capable of doing everyone of these!

How to beat Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks | Audibles - SI.com

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

I made a comment at the time of the first game -- that Russell Wilson has never really been hurt as a pro. He's been running around out there the past two years playing lights out, like a cat with all 9 of his lives. But these runs that he does to the sideline -- if somebody were to get there and POP HIM ONE HARD, before he scampers out of bounds, that could do some damage. It's easier said than done, I know, because he's fast and can really throw at any moment.

But I have a feeling that, once he gets popped, dinged up, or clobbered to the turf a few times, he will start to NOT be so ridiculously unstoppable anymore, because he won't be as fearless. Remember how RGIII was the cat's meow his first year in the league, played lights out, and he then went down -- when he came back from his injury and the next year he was tentative, slow, hesitant, not at all the same. Seen it before with Michael Vick also. Break those ribs, it makes him think twice about being the hero.

That hasn't happened to Wilson....yet.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

Never trust SI.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

in his breakdown he did have one thing right I saw in that game, payton s play calling was as predictable as ever and I even said that they have to have a copy of this weeks playbook. after teams were gashing seattle for tons of yards before we got there sean went in other directions. o well i'm over it now, Saturday nite will be just right for the pickins.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

I often wish Drew would grow some legs when he's staring down 15 yards of open field. Just the threat of it is enough to open up a receiver every now and then, but predictably, he goes down with the pocket when it collapses.

If we bring the ground game this week, we win.

Alaska

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

What if, to combat the crowd noise, Payton lets Brees call his own plays, or gives Drew 5 plays that he can run.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

It does no good. The Payton to Drew isn't the issue, its the Drew to the other 10 on the field that is the issue. Means we line up, Seattle's defense adjusts, Drew had a hard time communicating an offensive adjustment to that.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

Seahawks fan, here in peace.

That's a pretty good article about how to beat the Seahawks. It pretty much nails what most Seahawk fans know. You have to run it to beat the Hawks. Run, when it is working and run when it isn't. Seriously just run the ball. Seattle corners are disciplined and won't bite on play action, but you might catch a linebacker creeping towards the line and get decent gains out of the slot and TE by running a lot with play action off of it.

Coming out with a dink/dunk style throwing game has not worked at all for opponents this year. It gains some first downs early, but Seattle really makes opponents pay for catches over the middle. The secondary has 3 All-Pros on it and Kam Chancellor has IMO been playing amazingly well. They have very fast linebackers who can tackle. They aren't flashy big hitters like Bowman, but play well in their roles. The dink and dunk style of play just has not done much for teams. You remember the last time the Saints played in Seattle those short passes that Drew was making really did not make much difference in the game at all.

The Indy game was strange, the Seahawks won't come out in that soft zone look much against the Saints. The Hawks almost never shade coverage, or make any defensive changes based on match-ups. Press-man outside, and everyone but ET3 #29 up in the box. The so-called "triangle" is what they pretty much do all the time, until obvious passing plays.

Defensively, the Saints just need to stop the run and keep Wilson in the pocket. It is more important to keep Wilson contained than it is to get hits on him. He is pretty good about avoiding the big hit (has basically taken 1 this whole year, from Bowman). Not that those things are easy to do, but the Saints need to make sure that the ends play disciplined and to not overpursue upfield. Once Wilson gets away from the pocket, he wears defenses out (you all probably remember that from last time).

Otherwise Seattle is going to run, play action, and rely on their defense. Wilson will throw into 1 on 1 in low risk/high reward situations (between the 30s). Seahawks with a lead are content to punt.

The other thing is the crowd noise. As a fan of football I feel like it is almost unfair for opposing Offensive Tackles at the Clink. If you watch you will see the edge rushers with a half-step advantage over 50% of the time on passing plays. I think the Saints will get their play calling figured out the rest is just getting time for Brees to make the plays he needs to. So your tackles need to wear their big-boy pants. Seattle rotates DE's all game long.

If I'm SP I would look at some running plays on 3rd and long especially if the game is close in score.

Great discussion thank you.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

Welcome Rocket Hawk. Nice summary. What gives us a shot is our ability to change. You are exactly right, the short under throws and "dink and dunk" simply did not work.

However, we are a slightly different team than the last meeting. We have changed and you can bet we will change our play from the first match up. Like you said, your D does not change nor need too. Its working. But I believe we will change and play the same style ball.

If K. Lewis plays, we have a shot at this one IMO. The weather will not effect us, we just played a big one in Charlotte in nasty conditions and nearly pulled that one out. The hawks have slightly cooled since our last meeting going 2-2 and aver less than 20 per contest where we have solid momentum at this point.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

Thanks Rockethawk, good call.
It's going to be a good game and whichever team can make the less costly mistakes will probably take it.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

I've often thought the same thing. I know drew isn't about burn off with 4.3 speed down field but he's definitely quick enough to escape a few times a game if only to protect himself and extend the drive. I was quite happy to see him running qb sneaks and escaping the pocket against philly.

I hope to see more of the same against seattle to complement our run game.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

I'm sure Payton learned something the first time around. He'll be better prepared.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

As a Seahawks fan I am most worried about what Payton schemes up for this game. I believe he is the biggest matchup problem the Seahawks have. Pete is a fun coach to watch, but creativity during a game/plan is not his strong suit. He is a system guy. He just sets his guys out there then cheers like a Sea Gal chewing gum.

Seahawk game philosophy is to just do their thing and will only change if they are down 2 scores in the second half. Even in their last couple of losses, they just played their normal game as they were only one score down Run, run, 3rd down pass, punt. It is easy to scheme for the Hawks, but hard to outplay them.

The players are going to come out like a house afire, especially on D. If I was coaching the Saints, I would be happy to get out of the 1st half close in score without turning the ball over. Let the Hawks feel the pressure and make mistakes.

Seahawks offense is down the last few weeks. Mostly due to playing 3 in-division games, but their 3rd down play has been poor. Issues with penalties and inaccuracy by RW on 3rd down have been killing drives.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

Home field and weather at the moment are your advantage. Our wildcard is Sean Payton, just like you said. Should be a good game.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

It rained during the week 13 matchup.. maybe not as hard as it will this time but still something we've seen vs Seattle and Carolina.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

I don't think it will rain enough for either team to change their game plan. The rain here is not like it is down south, it is more of a constant wetness. Sure there is sometimes gulley washers, but normal rain is just endless drizzle. With the ball being switched out each play, they are not really that wet at all. The players and fans not under the roof will be soaked for basically 4 straight hours.

Played sports my whole life here, and the rain really does not affect you as much as you would think. The heaviest rain I have ever seen was in Florida.

Re: The All-22: How to beat the Seahawks
 

Hardest thing I've done as a saints fan: Try and watch us vs Seahawks.. definitely didn't like watching it that night still stings.