The Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans are both looking ahead to the playoffs with the return of a key player back to the lineup.
Running back Marshawn Lynch was re-signed to the roster over a year removed from football to assist in Seattle’s depleted run game. J.J. Watt, who sustained a torn pectoral muscle Week 8, is resuming practice and could be available by the Texans’ first postseason game.
Here’s a look at which player could be most impactful for his team as the clubs head into the playoffs.
Mark Lane, the managing editor of Texans Wire, gave his thoughts on Watt’s potential contribution.
Like “Beast Mode,” J.J. Watt’s return is one of transcendent talent. For the Houston Texans, his return will be more impactful than that of the Seattle Seahawks and Marshawn Lynch.
Watt’s return could not have come at a better time. The Texans’ pass-rush, since his injury in Week 8, has lacked to the point of league-worst category. That doesn’t show in their 5-2 record since.
In the seven games Houston has played since Watt’s torn pectoral, the Texans have recorded 12 sacks, with most of those coming due to good coverage rather than pure pass-rush.
According to Pro Football Reference, the Texans have the league’s second-worst pressure (18.3%) and hurry (7.1%) rate, just ahead of the Miami Dolphins. They are doing so despite blitzing at the NFL’s 10th-highest rate (32.7%). Take out the games Watt played, and they are worse than the hapless Dolphins.
Watt should help change that to some degree. Though perhaps not 100%, his impact on the pass-rush should be profound. Before his injury, No. 99 rated as Pro Football Focus’ third-best edge defender, grading out at 89.6. He tallied four sacks and 21 QB hits before his injury.
Watt gives the Texans a boost in the department where they needed it most. In turn, Houston’s chances to go all the way are skyrocketing.
Just one day removed from losing running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise to injuries, the Seahawks did exactly what every Seattle fan was hoping for . . . re-signed Marshawn Lynch to the active roster. The Seahawks also brought back Robert Turbin, another player familiar with Seattle’s offensive scheme. However, it is rookie Travis Homer who has the most command of the playbook.
“Travis is ready to go, he’s knows everything,” coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday. “He’s been through all of our system for the whole year. He showed that he was ready to play football and he did a good job in the game. We lean on him because of his background with us and his toughness and his speed and his playmaking. We’re pleased to have that opportunity. That’s good fortune to have him ready to go. We’ll just fit the guys in. Give me a couple days here. This is like the first day.”
Carroll did say that Lynch and Turbin will contribute Week 17 but both players have only days to adjust to the system. The Lynch addition for Seattle is more about morale at this point until the Seahawks can see what he is truly capable of on game days. However, hopes remain high.
“He’s highly motivated to do everything you can do in this game, he really is,” Carroll continued. “He wants to do everything you can possibly do. He knew he wasn’t done. He got in a situation where he was injured, and he had to rehab and all that. It just didn’t fit together right away. He’s not done playing and he wants to go. This is his entrée and he’s going to go for it. He won’t hold back. He won’t hold back one bit. We look forward to seeing what happens.”
The most exciting play of the day could be when Lynch first takes the field in Seattle. The Seahawks are playing for the division title and if Lynch can offer even half of what he did in his glory days, the signing will have been well worth the effort.
