The Seahawks will host the Kansas City Chiefs and their top-ranked offense at CenturyLink Field on Sunday Night Football, a game with big playoff implications for both teams. The Seahawks (8-6) are still looking to secure a wild card berth, while the Chiefs (11-3) are already playoff bound, but are still trying to clinch the AFC West and a possible first-round bye.
If the Seahawks are going to win a fourth straight home game and take a step closer to the playoffs, these are three matchups that could make a difference Sunday night:
1. The league's No. 1 rushing offense against a defense that struggles to stop the run.
While discussing the decision to bolster running back depth with the signing of Bo Scarbrough, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll noted that "we're serious about running the football." That's something that anyone paying attention to this season should have noticed by now about the 2018 Seahawks.
Through 14 games, Seattle ranks first in rushing yards per game (154.9), second in rushing attempts (32.6 per game), and is tied for seventh in average yards per carry (4.7). So regardless of the opponent, it's a safe bet that the Seahawks head into any given weekend hoping to run the ball, but this game in particular is one in which the Seahawks will likely try to run the ball early and often.
For all the Chiefs have done well on offense this year, their defense has struggled to stop opponents, and that has been especially true when it comes to the running game. Opponents are averaging 5.0 yards per carry against the Chiefs this year, tied for the highest total in the NFL, and five different teams have rushed for more than 170 yards against them, including two of their last three opponents.
If the Seahawks can run the ball well, that won't just help their offense; sustained drives that feature a lot of running plays can also eat up a lot of clock, which in turn can limit possessions for a Chiefs offense that leads the NFL in both total yards (427.3 per game) and scoring (35.6 points per game).
2. Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's passing game against a potentially depleted Seahawks secondary.
As mentioned above, the Chiefs are having a spectacular season on offense with second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the way. In his first year as a starter, Mahomes has thrown for an NFL leading 45 touchdowns, 4,543 yards and has a 114.8 passer rating.
Much like Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Mahomes can beat a defense in a number of ways, including by making big throws on the run after scrambling.
"He's young, he's really good, really strong arm," defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. "You see him just barely move his arm and the ball will go 50 yards. He's really confident and he's made a lot of plays so his confidence is continually building but he's done some amazing things."
Mahomes' weapons include Travis Kelce, who has 10 touchdown receptions and who leads all NFL tight ends with 1,220 receiving yards, as well as Tyreek Hill, who has 1,304 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns and who is one of the league's fastest receivers.
"We've got to do a great job on their really classy receivers," Carroll said. "Kelce and Hill are just unbelievably talented guys having great years. So there's a lot of issues here. I think our guys will be ready to do this."
The Seahawks will be as ready as possible for the Chiefs, but what they won't be able to do is field a secondary that is playing at full strength. Free safety Tedric Thompson, who took over the starting job after Earl Thomas broke his leg in Week 4, has been ruled out due to chest and ankle injuries, while strong safety Bradley McDougald is questionable due to the knee injury that caused him to exit last week's game in the first half. Left cornerback Shaquill Griffin is also listed as questionable due to a hip injury, but after Friday's practice in which Griffin was a full participant, Carroll said Griffin is "ready to go."
Seattle's options at safety include Delano Hill, who took over for McDougald last week, as well as Shalom Luani and Maurice Alexander.
3. Kansas City's pass rush against Seattle's offensive line.
While the Seahawks want to run the ball on Sunday, they're going to have to throw it too, and that means trying to protect Russell Wilson from one of the league's top pass-rushes. For all the struggles the Chiefs have had on defense, allowing the second most total yards, most passing yards and fifth most points in the NFL, they are capable of making big plays on defense in large part due to a very strong pass rush. The Chiefs have sacked opposing quarterbacks 46 times, the second highest total in the NFL, and have two players with double-digit sack totals, Chris Jones, who has 14, and Dee Ford, who has 11.5. And those aren't the only players capable of rushing the passer—Justin Houston, who once recorded 22 sacks in a single season (2014), has 6.5, while Allen Bailey has 6.0.
One of the biggest ways the Seahawks can mitigate that pass rush will be to keep the score close or to play from ahead. In addition to all the pass-rushing talent the Chiefs have, they also have been able to pile up big numbers because opponents have been playing from behind so often this season.
"Really good pass rushers, obviously," offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. "They've got Jones inside, he can be dominant at times—is dominant at times. Dee Ford, explosive—undersized guy but explosive, unbelievable motor. And then, of course, Justin Houston. You just look at what he's done over his career, it's pretty much enough said about that. They've been up in a lot of games, so you obviously get to where you've got to throw it to catch up and stuff like that. That plays into their hands a little bit."
The Seattle Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs, the 53rd meeting between the two teams, for Week 16 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at some of their previous matchups.
Seattle Seahawks' John Sawyer, left, and Kansas City Chiefs' Jimbo Elrod, right, roll after the ball fumbled by Sawyer during the first quarter of their game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 11, 1977. (AP Photo/John Filo)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Dave Brown steps in front of Kansas City wide receiver Henry Marshall in route to his second interception return for a touchdown as the Seahawks shutout the Kansas City Chiefs 45-0, November 4, 1984. Brown combined with Keith Simpson and Kenny Easley to establish the NFL record for most interception returns for touchdowns at four. The three also combined with defensive back Terry Taylor, who intercepted two Chiefs passes that afternoon, to establish a new NFL mark for most interception return yardage in one game with 345 return yards (Brown 148 yards, Simpson 76, Easley 58, Taylor 43) Both records still stand going into the 2020 NFL season.
Quarterback Todd Blackledge (14) of the Kansas City Chiefs, is grabbed by Jacob Green (79) of the Seattle Seahawks and sacked for a four-yard loss during the second quarter of their NFL game, Sept. 14, 1986. Also rushing Blackledge is Joe Nash (72) of the Seahawks. Seattle beat Kansas City 23-17. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Quarterback Todd Blackledge, right, of the Kansas City Chiefs, is sacked for a seven-yard loss by linebacker Brian Bosworth, left, of the Seattle Seahawks, during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 20, 1987. Seattle beat Kansas City 43-14. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle's David Wyman (92) brings down Kansas City's Christian Okoye (35) during the second half of Sunday, Oct. 8, 1989 NFL game in Seattle. The Chiefs won 20-16.(AP Photo/Billchan)
Running back Barry Word (23) of the Kansas City Chiefs runs past Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks for three of his 85 yards during the third quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Nov. 23, 1992. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Kansas City Chiefs' running back Marcus Allen (32) manages to move the ball past the goal line for a first-quarter, one-yard touchdown in Seattle against the Seattle Seahawks, Dec. 5, 1993. Helping block for Allen is teammate Ernie Thompson (45). The Chiefs beat the Seahawks, 31-16. (AP Photo/Dick Downey)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Steve Smith (35) heads into the end zone for a fourth quarter touchdown behind a block by teammate Howard Ballard (75) on Nov. 27, 1994 in Seattle against the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Richard Downey)
Kansas City Chiefs Marcus Allen, left, (32) is hit by Seattle Seahawks Robert Blackmon (25) after 10-yard run in the first quarter at the Kingdome, Sunday, Sept. 3, 1995, Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
The ball is just out of reach for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Pritchard during the first quarter Thursday, Oct. 17, 1996, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jerome Woods is a couple of steps behind on the incomplete pass play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Pete Stoyanovich (10) kicks the game winning field goal over Seattle Seahawks defender Chad Brown (94) in overtime Sunday, Sept. 28, 1997, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs beat the Seahawks 20-17. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Seattle Seahawks Darrin Smith (59) high steps it into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of their game against Kansas City Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998 in Seattle. Smith intercepted a Elvis Grbac pass and ran it back 26 yards for the score. (AP Photo/Rick Giase)
Seattle Seahawks' Christian Fauria runs ahead of Kansas City Chiefs' Donnie Edwards after catching a pass in the third quarter in Seattle on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. (AP Photo/Lauren McFalls)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna throws a touchdown pass to Derrick Mays under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs' Eric Hicks (98) and Chester McGlockton (75) as Seahawks' Brian Habib (68) looks on during the second quarter in Seattle on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. The Seahawks won 23-14. (AP Photo/Matt Wallis)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander leaps into the end zone for a touchdown on a 3-yard run past Kansas City Chiefs defender Ray Crockett in the second quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) follows the blocks of Seahawks center Robbie Tobeck (61) and guard Floyd Wedderburn during the Seahawks 39 to 31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) scores his second touchdown of the game, a 46 yard fourth quarter run, as the Seahawks defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 39 to 32 at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Ray Crockett (39) tries to tackle during the Seahawks 39 to 32 vcitory at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson (81) speeds up field during the Seahawks 39 to 32 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002. ©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens (86) catches this ball over Kansas City defensive back Eric Warfield (44) for his first NFL touchdown reception during the Seahawks 39 to 32 victory over the Chiefs at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch (83) is pushed out of bounds by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Lenny Walls (35) just short of the goal line late in the third quarter of their football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Seattle Seahawks Chris Baker drives across the end zone to score a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs Kendrick Lewis in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in action against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger (60) faces the Kansas City Chiefs line, in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) carries the ball past Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker James-Michael Johnson (52) in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
