WHAT'S AHEAD (Week 2 Preview): Seahawks vs. Steelers – Searching for Identity in Pittsburgh
This past Sunday left us Seahawks fans in that familiar place of hope colliding with stress. It felt like the game was in our hands and it slipped away in the 4th quarter. After mourning the loss to my mortal enemy Whiners, the challenge shifts to Pittsburgh, where Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and the Steelers are riding high after a wild comeback win against the Jets. The betting markets see Seattle as an underdog, but what should we be looking for in this game?
The Old Man Rodgers Factor
Aaron Rodgers dropped four touchdowns in his Steelers debut and looked like he might not be the old man everyone has made him out to be. The man can still sling it, and with weapons around him, Pittsburgh’s passing game is looking like it will be a real issue with how our secondary (namely Tariq) collapsed against SF. If Rodgers gets comfortable, he’ll pick apart a secondary still searching for its first win.
POUND THE ROCK
The Jets gashed the Steelers for 183 rushing yards in Week 1. That should be a bright, neon sign in practice this week for Seattle: lean into the run. This is why I was saying Zach Charbonnet needs to be RB1. His straight up and down, angry running style could give us the edge in a game where moving the ball and opening up the passing game for other receivers is essential. K9 has super star talent, but Charbonnet feels like the engine that can power this offense against a defense that’s already being questioned on the ground.
Offensive Identity Crisis
The Seahawks offense still doesn’t know what it wants to be after a solid offseason of strengthing the O-Line and bringing in talent. Hopefully our identity is addressed in practice with grit and power being core pillars of who we aim to be. Sunday was a little clunky and fell flat. Sam Darnold and this Seahawks offense has a chance to reset in Pittsburgh. A solid run game could mirror what the Jets did to this Steelers defense—force respect in the box, blow up blitzes, and create imbalance for Pittsburgh. And as far as the air game goes, we need to see more than JSN carrying the passing game. Get Cooper and Horton involved. Get the tight ends moving the chains. Back to basics: establish a punishing run game and open up the air attack. We’ve got the personnel and the scheme to make this happen. Let’s see it!
Details and Desire
This is where last week fell apart. Missed details by Tariq. One critical play by Abe Lucas blown up. No hunger to finish. If the Seahawks want to win on the road, the margin is probably going to be razor thin. It comes down to the details: attacking the ball instead of waiting for it, staying locked in against Watt and Bosa-level players, and playing “Seahawks football” instead of eleven guys freelancing. We ultimately need to want it more than the other team, and I'm excited to see how we bounce back.
What I’m Watching for in Week 2
Offensive identity. Keep it simple, build on the run, then let Darnold prove last season wasn’t a fluke.
Riq Woolen. Either step up and own the moment or sit down. We can’t have a liability out there.
Spread the ball. More receivers need to get involved than JSN. TE’s, Kupp, Horton: everyone eats.
Charbonnet as RB1. Build around his fire and drive.
Week 2 Seahawks vs Steelers Prediction
This will be a close, ugly game. The Steelers are favored at home for good reason, but I think the Seahawks bounce back. Rodgers might get his numbers, but Seattle’s run game and a couple key defensive takeaways will steal it.
My call: Seahawks 28, Steelers 27. Another potent Seahawks cocktail of hope and stress shaken over ice for every Seattle fan.