The Seattle Seahawks (5-2) take on the Atlanta Falcons (1-6) on Sunday.
The Falcons will be without starting quarterback Matt Ryan, who has officially been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks have already ruled two players out and have six players listed as questionable, making it impossible to tell who will be playing at multiple key spots, including on the offensive and defensive line and in the secondary.
Seattle’s ability to neutralize veteran backup Matt Schaub, the position battle brewing at safety, and the disappearance of running back Rashaad Penny are some of the many storylines for fans to pay attention to during Sunday’s contest.
Will Rashaad Penny get more involved in the offense?
Last Sunday, in Seattle’s loss to Baltimore, Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny was only on the field for two offensive snaps, and he did not receive a single target or carry.
Penny is well behind Chris Carson (who had 21 carries last week) on the depth chart, and even ceded a carry to C.J. Prosise.
Despite making no impact last week, and in general a lackluster sophomore season, the Seahawks haven’t given up on Penny – yet.
“We know we need Rashaad,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said on Thursday. “We’re excited about Rashaad. I don’t put too much into it other than the fact that we only got 26 or something rushing attempts. He played a few plays. He’s a big part of our plans.”
Penny has only carried the ball 22 times for 98 yards and a touchdown on the season, along with three receptions for 34 yards.
It’s clear that Penny is down on the depth chart, although Sunday’s game against the Falcons will give fans a clearer idea of just how far in the doghouse he actually is as he reaches the halfway point of his second NFL season.
Can the pass rush take down veteran backup Matt Schaub?
Seattle’s inability to generate pressure stats on opposing quarterbacks this season has been well-documented.
While they did a good job of containing Lamar Jackson in the passing game last week, they once again finished without a sack.
Now, they’ll face a Falcons squad with a subpar offensive line and a backup quarterback, Matt Schaub, behind center.
Schaub is a 15-year-veteran who is a more than capable starter, and the team is led by head coach Dan Quinn, who was Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2013-2014.
As such, fans can expect a quick passing attack, one that will likely make it difficult for Seattle to generate any pressure stats.
Still, a unit with Jadeveon Clowney, Ziggy Ansah (if he plays) as well as Jarran Reed and rookie L.J. Collier, should generate more results than it has this season.
Sunday’s game will be a great opportunity for this unit to begin righting the ship and putting pressure on Schaub and the Falcons offensive front.
Who plays at safety?
Seattle’s safety tandem on Sunday won’t be determined until 90 minutes before the game, when the injury report comes out.
Lano Hill (elbow) is out, and Bradley McDougald and the newly acquired Quandre Diggs are both listed as questionable.
If neither of them play, Seattle will roll with last week’s starting duo – Tedric Thompson and rookie Marquise Blair.
Blair looked very solid in his first NFL start, earning the opportunity to play more according to Carroll.
However, if one of McDougald or Diggs suits up, it will be interesting to see which of Thompson or Blair starts. Blair clearly outplayed Thompson, but Thompson has started nearly every game this season and does have a pair of interceptions, despite making a handful of mistakes deep down the field.
Of course, if/when McDougald and Diggs are both healthy, they are expected to be the starting safety tandem for the rest of the season.
Thus, Seattle’s battle at the safety position will be an interesting one to watch in Week 8.
