The Seattle Seahawks have already clinched a playoff spot, and they look to make a deep run in the playoffs. There are many great players on the team like Russell Wilson, Jamal Adams, and Bobby Wagner. However, There is one player on the team that is the most important to their success and that is Chris Carson.
Chris Carson Will Play Important Postseason Role for Seahawks
Chris Carson is very important to what the Seahawks like to do on offense and to the Seahawks playoff success. He can open up the passing attack with Russell Wilson and his weapons on the outside. Carson left in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 and missed the next four and a half games. During that stretch, Wilson had nine turnovers and the team went 1-3. When Carson starts and finishes the game, the Seahawks have a 10-1 record and are balanced on the offensive side of the ball.
The way the Seahawks made all of their Super Bowl runs was with a physical running game and really good quarterback play. Carson adds the physicality the Seahawks were missing part of the season and that sets up the play action passing for Wilson. Carson has 637 yards rushing and five touchdowns this season. He is also averaging close to five yards a carry this season.
Carson’s Running Controls the Clock
The Seahawks offense was throwing the ball all over the place and scoring a lot of points earlier in the season. However, that kept the defense on the field longer and resulted in below average defensive play. The return of Carson will allow the team to run the ball and eat up clock and keep offenses like the Packers or Saints off the field. It also means the Seahawks defense will not have as much pressure on them and Wilson will not be asked to make every play for the offense.
Carson Carson Takes Pressure Off Seahawks Passing Game
The offense has relied on Wilson most of the season to score points. Since Carson’s return, Wilson has not been asked to do as much, and the team is still winning games. On their three-game winning streak, they are averaging 150 rushing yards a game and only about 185 passing yards a game. This balance is key to the Seahawks playoff success. This can also keep defenses guessing and guys like D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett can get favorable matchups in the playoffs because of it.
The Running game will help playoff success in Inclement Weather.
The weather starts getting cold and nasty in January, and this is the time to have a reliable running game. This is something that the Seahawks missed in last years playoff game in Green Bay. Carson did not play in the game and the team fell short. They only had 15 carries for 39 yards by running backs in that game. Carson can help flip the script in this years playoff and get back to 2013 Seahawks style of offense.
In conclusion, Chris Carson and his running ability will dictate how far the Seahawks are able to go in the playoffs, and it will help Wilson’s play by limiting turnovers. It will also help the defense out on their quest for their third Super Bowl appearance in eight years.
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