Rash of Injuries Could Be Nail in Coffin for Seahawks' Super Bowl Aspirations

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) lies on the turf after tackling Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Seattle Seahawks just find ways to win. Sometimes a victory turns into a loss, though. Thursday's 22-16 beatdown of the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium gave Seattle a 6-3 record, but it proved to be costly. 
Through early-morning fog, I see visions of the things to be, and the Seahawks have become a M.A.S.H. unit that's trying to stitch together a patchwork lineup with little to no hope of advancing in the postseason. 
Six significant injuries occurred during the league's latest weekday disaster. 
Seeing Richard Sherman on the ground writhing in pain is enough to ruin any contest. The NFL already experienced more than its fair share of superstar injuries. Sherman will join a star-studded injured reserve list that includes Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer, Andrew Luck, Deshaun Watson, Odell Beckham Jr., Joe Thomas, Jason Peters, J.J. Watt and Eric Berry.

Officially, Sherman suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his season, per the Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell. He let it be known during the NFC West contest, even though he didn't come off the sideline, per CBS Sports' Will Brinson
The four-time Pro Bowler's loss is devastating for a defensive plan that relies so heavily on his ability to shut down the left side of the field. 
Seattle's famous Cover 3 scheme has been successful for multiple seasons mainly because of two players: Sherman and Earl Thomas. 
Thomas didn't play Thursday due to a tweaked hamstring, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The safety's range makes him the ultimate eraser along the back line. Bradley McDougald is a competent replacement, but no one in the NFL covers more ground than Thomas. 
Even without the three-time All-Pro safety in the lineup, Sherman could still shut down his half of the field. The 29-year-old defender uses his 6'3" size and length unlike any other current cornerback. Sherman beats up receivers near the line of scrimmage and defends the run. His ball skills are unparalleled, too, per ESPN Stats & Info: As soon as he left the field, the Cardinals attacked Sherman's replacement. Every upcoming opponent will do the same. 
Subsequently, Seattle's walking wounded turned into a late-night infomercial: But, wait, there's more. 
Strong safety Kam Chancellor left the contest on a cart, per SB Nation's Adam Stites. Chancellor tied for second in the game with 10 total tackles. He's an intimidating presence against the run or over the middle in coverage. His status is yet to be determined, but it's another reason for concern. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UN threatens sanctions over faltering peace deal in Mali

The UN Security Council on Wednesday gave parties to a peace deal in Mali until the end of March to show progress or face sanctions for obstructing the 2015 agreement. The council unanimously adopted a French-drafted statement that “expressed a shared sense of impatience regarding the persistent delays” in making the agreement a reality on the ground. Council members “expressed their intention to follow the situation closely and to respond with appropriate steps should the parties not implement the commitments” by the end of March, the statement warned. Islamic extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of the desert north of Mali in early 2012, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013. Mali’s government signed a peace agreement with coalitions of armed groups in June 2015 to end the fighting, but insurgents remain active, including in central Mali. Last week, the government and two other armed groups, the Plateforme and Coordin...
1 2 3 4

New Porsche 911 Turbo spied – next-generation of the all-weather supercar incoming

Image
Porsche’s next generation 911 Turbo spied with tell-tale side intakes and wide body. Should go on sale late in 2019 Prototypes of the next generation   Porsche 911   have been spotted multiple times already, but images have just surfaced of a development car sporting some telling details that suggest it might wear the famous   Turbo   badge. Some chunky wheelarch extensions and side-mounted intakes are visible in the spy pictures, signs leading to the assumption that - like the current 991 generation Turbo - the new car will feature a wider body than other 911s.   Judging by these images, the next 911 will probably do without any shocking changes to its aesthetic, rather the new car will focus on modernising the 911’s detailing without straying too far from Porsche’s comfort zone. At the front, the grille openings look to be shared with standard 911 prototypes that have already been spotted, expect these to be changed for production. Like t...
1 2 3 4

‘I can’t guarantee Sanchez’s stay at Arsenal’

Image
Arsenal’s Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park in south London on December 28, 2017. Manager Arsene Wenger says he cannot guarantee that striker Alexis Sanchez will remain at Arsenal long term, after the forward scored twice in the victory at Crystal Palace on Thursday night. The Chile striker can leave for free this summer when his contract expires and he has been linked with a move to league leaders Manchester City, who failed in their bid to sign him on deadline day.When asked about the 29-year-old’s future, the Frenchman said: “Nobody knows what will happen. It’s difficult to speculate. “We are focused on short term, that means the next game with the players committed and ready to fight. It’s not a guarantee of how long you stay somewhere.“They are questioned, always, when people don’t have long contracts. The best way to show they are co...
1 2 3 4