This was supposed to be a rebuilding year under new head coach Pete Carroll, but the Seahawks are off to their best start since 2006.
They took over sole possession of first place in the NFC West with a 22-10 win over two-time defending division champ Arizona last Sunday. But defeating an Oakland Raiders team coming off a huge 59-14 blowout win at Denver will be no easy task. In fact, NFL oddsmakers have given Oakland the nod, listing the Raiders as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 42.5.
If Seattle is going to defeat an Oakland squad capable of putting up some big offensive numbers, it must improve in the red zone. The Seahawks only managed one touchdown, and had to settle for five field goals, in last week’s win. Seattle is tied for 24th in red-zone efficiency, scoring on just 40 percent of its trips inside the 20.
While Coach Carroll would like to see his team do a better job of protecting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who was sacked five times last week, he has to be happy about the holes his lineman have been opening up for Marshawn Lynch and company. The Seahawks have rushed for 255 yards over the last two games. Not coincidentally, both were wins.
Seattle should be able to find more running room this week against a defense that is allowing 138.9 rushing yards per game (28th in the NFL).
While Oakland is coming off a big win, it may still be too soon for us to trust it laying points. In fact, the Raiders are 0-11 against the spread in their last 11 games as a home favorite.
Oakland does have a little bit of history on its side Sunday. In fact, it has not lost to Seattle at home in 13 years. The Raiders have won five in a row at home against the Sea...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
