Seattle coaches and players haven’t been shy about pointing to the lagging running game as the most significant reason the offense has a mere one touchdown in 22 possessions and has scored 15 points, fewer than all but one other team in the NFL.
“It (the running game) gives us balance and we really miss that,’’ said offensive-line coach and run-game coordinator Tom Cable. “. … We need more consistency (in the running game) because it sets up the big ball, the play-action (pass) and all those things.”
Thomas Rawls, though, is listed as doubtful to play Sunday after suffering a leg injury last week at Los Angeles, after he had been held to the shocking total of minus-7 yards on seven carries.
That will leave the bulk of the carries to Christine Michael, who despite being listed behind Rawls entering last week’s game has been Seattle’s most effective ball carrier this season. He has 126 yards on 25 carries.
The Seahawks’ running game has looked nothing like its old self. Seattle is averaging 89.5 yards rushing in two games, 18th in the NFL, after finishing fourth or better in each of the past four seasons. Seattle’s 3.2 yards per rushing attempt is even worse, tied for 25th.