Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl Aspirations Tied to Turnover Troubles
The Seattle Seahawks have surged to a remarkable 13-3 record this season, establishing themselves as one of the NFL’s elite teams. This success can be attributed to their ability to execute explosive plays and craft efficient scoring drives. With an increasingly potent running game, pressure has eased on quarterback Sam Darnold and emerging star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, a critical aspect of their game remains troubling: their turnovers.
Turnover Concerns
Currently, the Seahawks sit second in the league for turnovers, committing 28 overall – just one behind the Minnesota Vikings. Offensively, they have turned the ball over 26 times, tying them for the most in the league. Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expressed his frustration with these numbers earlier this week, stating, “It’s not a number that we’re proud of at all. Something now we’re always preaching things that we got to improve on. Obviously want to maximize our possessions and giving away points when we’re giving the ball away.”
Kubiak emphasized the various factors contributing to these turnovers, pointing to decision-making, ball security, and the need to protect their quarterback better to avoid sack-fumbles. “There’s a lot of things that go on there but something has got to get better if we want to be a championship team,” he added.
Despite their impressive record, the Seahawks’ turnover issues raise questions about their potential Super Bowl run.
Darnold’s Dilemma
Darnold, who currently ranks fifth in the league for passing yards with 3,850, has had his share of struggles. He has thrown 14 interceptions – the third-most in the league – trailing only Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa and former Seahawk Geno Smith. Critics have pointed to these turnovers as a significant reason for skepticism regarding Darnold’s status as a franchise quarterback.
This season, Darnold has had four games where he threw two or more interceptions, including a dismal performance in the 21-19 Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where he threw four picks. In total, he has thrown an interception in nine games, often putting his team in precarious situations due to ill-timed decision-making.
Root Causes of Turnovers
The issue of turnovers runs deeper than just Darnold’s performance. Some interceptions can be attributed to lapses in concentration from other players, as seen in Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s fumble during the 17-13 Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers or Cooper Kupp’s critical fumble in the Week 16 matchup against the Rams. Kupp’s miscue was particularly devastating as he was on the verge of scoring just before halftime.
Another contributing factor to the turnover epidemic is the pressure Darnold faces from opposing defenses. At times, the offensive line has struggled, with right tackle Abraham Lucas and the interior linemen allowing defenders to penetrate quickly. This was evident in the Week 1 game when pressure forced Darnold to lose control of the football in a critical red zone situation.
Offensive Potential
Despite these challenges, the Seahawks boast impressive offensive stats, sitting in the top half of the league in multiple categories. They rank second in points per game (29.4) and eighth in passing yards per game (231). If they can successfully address their turnover issues, the Seahawks possess the talent and team cohesion necessary to mount a serious challenge for the Super Bowl.
As they prepare for their upcoming games, the focus will undoubtedly be on minimizing mistakes and maximizing opportunities, critical components in any championship pursuit.
