Behind the Success of the Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are off to a historic start. They are just one of the three teams left in the league who are still undefeated. The Seahawks’ offense has had a great start to the season, averaging 280 passing yards per game and 33.8 points per game, the most in the NFL.

Russell Wilson is the leader behind the great start to the Seahawk’s season. So far Wilson has 123 completions, 1,502 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes, most in the league. Wilson has been in the league for nine seasons and has never received one vote for NFL MVP. This can easily change this year with the unbeaten start the Seahawks have been on.

Russell Wilson has a chance for his second Super Ring with the Seattle team he has now (Photo Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Head coach Pete Carroll credits not only the coaching staff, but the offensive help behind Wilson for his MVP candidate season he is having so far. “Russ is playing fabulous football, so that means there’s some fabulous coaching going on, too,” Carroll said to ESPN. “Russ knows he has his guys around him. Offensive line is just better than we’ve been, more consistent than we’ve been… Look at the connection that he has, that they’ve developed between the receivers … That’s the result of really good work by Schotty leading the whole thing.”

Wilson can thank wide receiver DK Metcalf for becoming his number one target this season. Metcalf can also make a claim for MVP this season as well with 496 yards gained, 22 receptions, and five touchdown catches, third in the league. At only 22 years old and at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, Metcalf is one of the most dangerous players in the league. With his size, speed, and balls skills, it has made it extremely hard for opposing defenses to stop Metcalf, Sports Illustrated reports. Metcalf will only get better and scarier as the years go on, since it is his only second season in the NFL.

DK Metcalf is one of the best receivers we have seen in the NFL in a long time (Photo Credit: Rajan Nanavati: The Medium)

“He’s the best in the world at what he does,” Wilson said about Metcalf according to Sports Illustrated. “He’s continued to evolve into one of the best receivers in the game. Not to be shy about it, I think he is one of the top receivers in the game. He can do it all, he can run by you, he can jump over you, he can get physical with you, he just approaches the game the right way.”

Because of the success that Metcalf has had this season, it has taken away the spotlight from wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who is also one of Wilson’s most important receivers. Unlike Metcalf, Locket is smaller in size at only 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds. However, Lockett has proven to be prominent receiver, with 30 receptions, 342 yards gained, and four touchdown catches this season so far.

Lockett takes advantage of his smaller size to get through slots easier than Metcalf, reasons why Wilson targets Lockett more in crunch situations than Metcalf because Lockett can gain more yardage in crunch plays than Mecalf, the Herald Net reports.

There is no bad blood between Lockett and Metcalf, as they both enjoy supporting each other and getting wins for the team.

“I was really happy that Metcalf was able to score that last touchdown and be able to give us that game winner,” Lockett said after the Cowboys game during Week 3 according to the Herald Net. “I think it allows a lot of people to kind of let the premature celebration that turned a touchdown into a fumble slide, let it go, we’ll talk about it, that’s a learning experience for each and every person as a receiver. I’m really happy he made that touchdown that allowed us to win the game, and I’m just happy we found a way, honestly. That was a tough game.”

The one flaw for the Seahawks is their defense. Already this season the Seahawks’ defense has let a total of 2,356 yards and 135 points. The next few games will be a huge test for the Seahawks’ defense, with games against the Arizona Cardinals twice, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams, who all have had great offensive starts to the season so far.

The next few games will also be critical for the Seahawks as they head to the turning point of the season. If the Seahawks can get at least four wins in the next five game, it will put them in a great position for the number on seed in the NFC.

After a bye during Week 6, the Seahawks will be ready to head to Glendale to play against the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West matchup at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.