Seahawks' fix starts with the run game, not the quarterback, ahead of Cardinals rematch

The debate over who should take the snaps in Seattle misses the real problem, according to a column by Ted Zahn at Field Gulls (SB Nation). The Seahawks are 4-4 after a 34-17 home loss to the Chicago Bears. Zahn argues that whether Sam Darnold, Drew Lock or Jalen Milroe is under center matters less than whether the offense can run the ball again. Mike Macdonald's version of "Seahawks Football" depends on that.

The ground game has been missing all year. Zahn's list of reasons includes poor blocking, fumbles and injuries. Ken Walker III's departure is part of it, but Zahn doubts even Walker could do much behind this line. All five starting linemen came back from last season's Super Bowl run, which raised expectations. Then Anthony Bradford got hurt early and the rest of the group slipped. Seattle traded with the Indianapolis Colts for guard Quenton Nelson, but the reshuffle that followed showed in the Chicago game. A backup was at left tackle, Nelson was new at left guard, and Grey Zabel was playing on the right side for the first time in his NFL career. Two running backs were also coming back from injuries. Other than getting the ball to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the offense did little.

Zahn thinks the timing of the trade makes more sense in that light. The next stretch is Arizona, then Las Vegas, then the bye before a rematch with San Francisco. That gives Nelson and Zabel time to settle in and gives Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet time to get back to full speed. An injury to Nelson complicates the plan, Zahn notes, but he still expects a better rushing attack after the bye. He does think Macdonald wants a quarterback who adds to the run game, and he points to Macdonald's time in Baltimore with Lamar Jackson. After the draft, Macdonald said quarterbacks who extend plays are "incredibly difficult to defend."

What it means for Sunday against Arizona

The numbers support Zahn's concern. Seattle has lost three of its last four, and the only win in that stretch was the 20-3 defensive game against Kansas City. The Seahawks scored 17, 20, 14 and 29 points in those four games. In the first four weeks they scored at least 30 points three times. They have still outscored opponents 185-159 this season and are 3-2 at home.

Arizona comes to Lumen Field on Sunday, November 8 (Fox). The Seahawks beat the Cardinals 31-7 in the desert earlier this season, their most lopsided result of the year. The market expects something similar. Seattle is favored by 8.5 points on Novig at -100, and Novig's moneyline has the Seahawks at -376 and the Cardinals at +365. The best Seattle spread price on the board is theScore Bet's -8 at -115. That is half a point better than Novig's line but costs more, so the venues differ more on price than on the number. Sportsbook hold on the spread runs from 2.9% to 5.0% across the 12 venues on the game page. The total is 39.5, a low number for a team that put up 31 on Arizona the first time. That lines up with the scoring drop Zahn blames on the line and backfield.

If the new line can open running lanes against a Cardinals team Seattle already handled once, the spread should hold up. If it can't, the Seahawks will lean on the passing game again, and that hasn't worked lately.