After opening the season with consecutive road games, the Seahawks are eager to return to CenturyLink Field, where they'll host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
"This is really special to come home," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "It feels like we have not been home in a long time, and to be playing here in front of the 12s and all that is a big deal to us. It's obvious that we need to get kick started and this is the best place in the world to do that."
The Seahawks need to get "kick started," as Carroll put it, because they lost a pair of close games on the road to start the season, and as linebacker Bobby Wagner bluntly noted this week, "You don't want to be 0-3." Standing in the Seahawks' way are the Dallas Cowboys, who are 1-1 having lost their opener at Carolina before bouncing back with a victory over the New York Giants last weekend.
If the Seahawks are going to earn their first victory of the 2018 season, these are three key matchups that could make the difference on Sunday:
1. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott vs. Seattle's run defense.
After giving up some big gains on the ground against Denver, Seattle cleaned up its run defense last week, limiting Chicago's running backs to a 2.4 yards-per-carry average, but Sunday's game presents the toughest challenge yet for Seattle's run defense.
Ezekiel Elliott, who was a first-team All-Pro as a rookie two seasons ago, remains the centerpiece of Dallas' offense, bringing into this game a solid 4.6 yards-per-carry average while rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games.
"The entire offense goes through him," said Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. "He's a guy that really runs the ball well, great vision, good speed. He really understands how to play behind his pads, and then the quarterback, Dak (Prescott), has been doing an excellent job of keeping the ball. He's getting involved in the run game as well, stands in the pocket really well, so those are two guys that we certainly have to stop."
Prescott and the Dallas passing game have yet to get on track, with Dallas ranking 30th in passing offense, so it's safe to assume the Cowboys are hoping to lean on the running game, particularly while playing in a hostile environment.
One piece of good news for the Seahawks is that they'll have All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner back from a one-game absence due to a groin injury, but Wagner knows as well as anyone that slowing Elliott is no easy task.
"It is very difficult," Wagner said. "He runs really hard. I think they have a great scheme and he's able to read the linemen very, very well. He's very physical. I don't see him running out of bounds too often. He's a guy you have to put a body on and a guy you have to make sure you hit. I'm excited for the challenge. We're coming back home, I think it'll be a fun game."
2. Seattle's third-down offense vs. Dallas' defense, and vice versa.
Both Seattle and Dallas have struggled to get on track offensively this season, and if you ask coaches from either team about the causes, one of the first answers they'll likely give will reference the teams' struggles on third down.
The Seahawks are just 7 for 25 on third-down this season, including a 2 for 12 showing in their season opener, but the Cowboys have been even worse, converting just 5 of 21 third-down chances. Whichever team can reverse that trend could very well be the one that gets its offense going and comes out of Sunday's game with a victory. On the other side of the ball, Seahawks opponents are converting at a 37.5-percent rate, while Cowboys opponents are faring slightly better at 41.1 percent.
"From an offensive standpoint, it's just so important for us and really for any offense to stay ahead of the chains," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said on a conference call with Seattle-area media. "In the first game against Carolina, we just didn't do that. We had five drives in the first half, we were behind the chains in a big way on every one of them. We had a lot of second-and-17s and second-and-20s, whether it was due to penalties or we had a sack or this, that or the other thing. It's very difficult and challenging to be efficient offensively when you're digging out of those holes."
By failing to convert often enough on third down, the Seahawks offense has had a hard time staying on the field, one the big reasons the running game hasn't been as big of a weapon Seattle had hoped, and too many third-and-longs have made Russell Wilson vulnerable to pressure, part of the reason he has been sacked 12 times.
"This week, only having six plays in the third quarter, that was just one of those deals where we're not converting third downs," offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. "The cool thing that I said to the guys is this—we know what the issues are, so when you know what the issues are, you can address them, you can fix them, you can emphasize that it's time of possession or it's third downs or it's sacks. If I was standing up there, or we as a staff were looking and saying, 'hey, you know, we really don't know what the issues are and we're just struggling,' that's not the case. We know what we need to clean up, we've been emphasizing that. We started last week with red zone and we did a nice job in the red zone last week. I think we'll find our rhythm again this week. We know we need to be better. Nobody likes sitting here at 0-2. We're competing to (improve)."
When Carroll was asked about the lack of running plays, he too brought up third down: "We need to be more efficient. We were better this week than we were last week. We just need more runs. We just need more first downs and more runs. It's an important part of the way we play. That's no change, that's nothing. We just haven't got it done yet. I'm hoping that it feeds off of third-down conversions and we get our chances, and then we can keep the ball running."
3. Turnover battle
When the Seahawks played at Dallas late last season, they were outgained by the Cowboys 282-136, yet they flew home from that Christmas Eve contest with a 21-12 victory. The biggest reason the Seahawks came out on top despite that limited offensive output? They won the turnover battle 3-0, including a forced fumble that gave the offense a short field to set up one touchdown, and a Justin Coleman interception that the nickel cornerback returned for a touchdown.
The Cowboys have done a good job taking care of the ball this season, but have not forced many turnovers, and are yet to record an interception. The Seahawks secondary already has five picks, but thanks to some untimely turnovers, Seattle is only even in turnover ratio. If Seattle's defense can continue its ball-hawking ways, and if Wilson and company can get back to their normal ways—Seattle had only 17 turnovers all of last season, which was tied for seventh fewest in the NFL—then the Seahawks could greatly help their chances of earning their first win.
And the Cowboys know they're going to have their hands full with Seattle's defense, especially on the road.
"They're a really good defense," Garrett said of the Seahawks. "They're very talented guys in all three levels of their defense and they have a scheme that they believe in. They make it difficult on opposing offenses, there's no question about that. They have really good run defenders on their defensive front, they got a lot of good pass rushers on their front. The linebackers are obviously off the charts in terms of their ability to run and make plays. The same thing with the secondary, they got a lot of guys back there. Earl Thomas is as good of a defensive player as there is in the league. Some of the faces are different, but you know, they're still a very, very good defense"
The Seahawks and Cowboys face off on Thursday Night Football, Nov. 30, 2023. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Cowboys.
Seattle Seahawks receiver Joey Galloway (84) pulls in a 44-yard touchdown pass as Dallas Cowboys' Kevin Smith (26) defends on the play during the second quarter in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998. (AP Photo/Bill Janscha)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (8) runs for a first down against Seattle Seahawks defenders Chad Brown (94) and Michael Sinclair (70) during the third quarter in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998. The Cowboys won 30-22. (AP Photo/L M Otero)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson (82) grabs a long fourth-quarter pass as Dallas Cowboys' Darren Woodson defends, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, in Seattle. The Seahawks scored on the next play and won, 29-3. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) goes down after crashing through the Seattle Seahawks line for an 11-yard run during the fourth quarter. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2002, in Irving, Texas. In the background is Seahawks corner back Ken Lucas (21). (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Seattle Seahawks' Rashad Moore (95) tries to knock down a pass by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Vinny Testaverde in the second quarter Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, in Seattle. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson (82) eludes a tackle from Dallas Cowboys strong safety Lynn Scott and runs for a 35-yard pass reception that set up a two-yard touchdown reception by Jackson on the next play in the first quarter Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Ryan Hannam (83) comes up with the ball after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass to tie the score in the fourth quarter as Dallas Cowboys' Scott Shanle lays on the ground during the fourth quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005. The Seahawks won 13-10 with a field goal in the last seconds of the game. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles away from Dallas Cowboys' Jason Hatcher in the second quarter in an NFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo, right, botches the hold on a 19-yard field goal-attempt by Martin Gramatica as the Seattle Seahawks defend with 1:19 left in an NFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Seattle. Romo was forced to grab the ball and run, but was stopped at the 2. The Seahawks won, 21-20. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo rolls over after fumbling on a hit by Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin, right, with Grant Wistrom (98) picking up the ball behind during a botched field goal-attempt with 1:19 left in the game in an NFC wild-card playoff football in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. The Seahawks went on to win, 21-20. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin celebrates after a botched Dallas Cowboys field goal-attempt by the Cowboys with 1:19 left in the game in an NFC wild card playoff football in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. Behind is kicker Martin Gramatica (7). (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Jordan Babineaux celebrates after stopping Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo following a botched field goal attempt late in an NFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Seattle. Babineaux has earned his teammates' nickname "Big Play Babs after a last-second play against Dallas last season, then the tackle of Romo that saved the Seahawks season. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo scrambles away from the Seattle Seahawks defense during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Seattle Seahawks safety Deon Grant (24) makes a tackle on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton (84) following Crayton's reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch jumps over Dallas Cowboys' Gerald Sensabaugh as the Cowboys' Alan Ball moves in for the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)
Seattle Seahawks players break up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys' Miles Austin, center, in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs for a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys strong safety Jeff Heath goes down after missing the tackle in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks Doug Baldwin, right, blocks a punt by Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones that was run in for a touchdown by Seahawks' Mike Morgan in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) finds running room as Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) gives chase during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) gains yardage after a pass as Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Carr (39) gives chase in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) catches a touchdown pass in front of Dallas Cowboys' Chidobe Awuzie (33) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, file photo, Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson rushes against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle. Carson rushed for 102 yards in the game. In consecutive weeks, the Seahawks produced 100-yard rushers. The novelty was it being two different backs, neither of which was rookie first-round pick Rashaad Penny. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Seattle's Jacob Martin brings down Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
Captains for both teams meet at midfield for the opening coin toss.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin manages to keep both feet inbounds on this 22-yard reception in the third quarter to keep a drive alive.
Seattle special teams captain Neiko Thorpe keeps the ball from entering the end zone on a Michael Dickson punt and the Cowboys took over at the two-yard line.
Seattle's Mike Davis spikes the ball after scoring on a successful two-point conversion.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field at CenturyLink Field following an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf atoned for an earlier fumble with this 29-yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett breaks for more yardage after a second quarter catch.
Seahawks safety Ryan Neal, called up from the practice squad on Saturday, intercepts a pass in the end zone to seal Seattle's 38-31 win over the Cowboys.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin flies through the air after an interception in the second quarter.
Seattle's Benson Mayowa recovered a Dak Prescott fumble and returned it to the Dallas five-yard line at the beginning of the second half.
Seahawks Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks hit Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott just as he releases the ball on a pass in the first quarter.
Seahawks receiver Penny Hart catches a 35-yard touchdown pass from Drew Lock in the first quarter.
Seahawks defender Myles Adams hits Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush as he releases the ball resulting in a QB hurry and incomplete pass.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock looks to the end zone.
After the game, Seahawks star receiver DK Metcalf and Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons exchanged jerseys.
