It's been an odd season so far for the Seattle Seahawks, they've been really good, and really bad at the same time. There are many 'excuses' for it and many reasons for it too.
We can start with the fact that 50% of the defense has been OUT for the last two weeks, that is a serious issue for a team that hired on a new defensive-minded head coach...
Yes, many people could also blame the refs in some ways against the Lions and Giants, but those are more likely excuses than a reason.
Lastly, there is something they really MISSED on against the New York Giants, that was running the football.
Seahawks have Kenneth Walker III, who is considered by many a TOP TEN running back in the NFL. There is no excuse for him to get FIVE total carries against the Giants, in a close game. 5 attempts for 19 yards. You can't let that happen.
If we expect Geno Smith to be good, if we expect the Seahawks offensive line to be good, then you need to keep defenses wondering. Geno Smith threw the ball 40 times on Sunday, which is totally fine, but not if you're sitting there giving your star running back FIVE total attempts.
Every single team in the NFL needs balance, you need to be able to keep the defense guessing. Giving your RB five carries is not how you keep an opponents defense wondering, it's simply just wrong.
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Fransisco 49ers, it's not going to be an easy game for either team. Thursday, with only THREE days off for each team, that's hard. Both the Seahawks and 49ers are dealing with a crazy amount of injuries, so they need to find a way to find some balance.
Simply, for the Seahawks, the balance will come by running the football more, it's that simple. A win would mean a lot, the Seahawks would be in 1st place in NFC West and have a two game lead over the 49ers, and basically a 1.5 game lead over the Arizona Cardinals.