Game Preview, Week 10: Washington at Seattle Seahawks
November 10, 2023
by Steve Thomas
Washington got a much-needed victory last week over the New England Patriots, and on the road to boot. Things ramp up pretty significantly this week, though, as Washington has to head into Seattle to face the 5 – 4 Seahawks. This kind of travel is tough even in the best of circumstances, but going into Seattle is another level of difficulty. A win in this week would be a major feather in Washington’s cap and might just force the NFL world to take them a bit more seriously this season. In contrast, a loss returns Washington to 2 games below .500 and pretty far out of the hunt for a postseason spot. Washington’s offense looked somewhat better last week, even if they didn’t score a ton of points, so a win isn’t outside of the realm of possible here, even with the Seahawks rightfully favored. We’ll see what happens on Sunday. Our game preview is below.
Game time & location: Sunday, November 12, 2023, 4:25 p.m. ET, Lumen Field, Seattle, WA; Gates open 11:25 a.m. PT
Television: FOX
Television announcers: Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: click here
Seahawks radio network: click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 228 (Seattle broad.); 380 (Wash. broad.) internet: 831
Washington roster: click here
Washington depth chart: click here
Seahawks roster: click here
Seahawks depth chart: click here
Records: Washington 4 – 5 (away 3 – 2); Seahawks 5 – 3 (home 3 – 1)
All-time head-to-head record vs Seahawks: 13 – 10 (last 10: 5– 5; streak: 1 – 0)
Last meeting: W, November 29, 2021, 17 – 15
Early odds: Seahawks, -6
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Control the clock
Washington is walking into a bit of a lion’s den, as Lumen Field is known to be loud and a huge advantage to the home team. The best way to limit the impact of those factors is to control the clock by keeping Seattle’s offense off the field with long, slow running-based drives. Not that Eric Bieniemy is mentally capable of that sort of game plan, mind you, but he should be. Washington needs to make an effort to not get into a shootout in a game like this. They need to focus on their ground game against Seattle this week.
Limit Seattle’s passing game
Conversely, Washington’s defensive secondary has its hands full this week, as its opponent is one of the more talented receiving groups in the game, with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Noah Fant, and more. Washington can’t just rely on their pass rush – Metcalf, in particular, with his physical gifts, is a major problem. Washington’s secondary group needs to be focused and limit their mistakes this week in order to keep Seattle’s receivers in check. Look for a sixth defensive back to be on the field more than normal in this game.
Control Seattle’s defensive line
The Seahawks have done a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run from a variety of players, not just one player. Washington needs to get their running game going this week, and that means limiting the impact of the defensive line. The offensive line has been slightly better over the past couple of weeks, and it needs to continue in Seattle.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Benjamin St-Juste and Kendall Fuller vs. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett
As mentioned above, these are probably the most important matchups in the game. From a physical perspective, it makes the most sense for St-Juste to be paired with Metcalf, and Fuller on Lockett, but Washington doesn’t have a history of having defensive backs travel with receivers, so I don’t think they’ll start now. Therefore, St- Juste and Fuller both need to be prepared for both. It is critical that Metcalf and Lockett are allowed to run wild and take over the game.
Terry McLaurin vs. Quandre Diggs
This is a fairly high profile matchup, with McLaurin being the big-name Pro Bowler, and Diggs having been a starter in Seattle for five years. It’s about time for McLaurin to have another big game, so keep an eye out on whether McLaurin can take advantage of Diggs and get some big-time, game-changing receptions.
Jamin Davis vs. Noah Fant
Washington’s linebacker group is obviously one of the worst in the NFL, with Davis being the best of the bunch. Davis is . . . okay . . . in coverage, but he’s going to face a significant talent in 2019 first round pick Noah Fant. Fant has started all five of his NFL seasons and has built a nice career. Tight ends historically take advantage of Washington’s defense at times, so watch up for whether Davis is able to keep up with Fant on Sunday.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Seahawks |
| WR C. Samuel, toe; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | G A. Bradford, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP |
| CB E. Forbes, achilles; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | LP J. Brooks, hamstring; Wed; DNP; Thurs: DNP |
| DE M. Edwards, NIR (vet rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP | |
| WR D.K. Metcalf, hip; Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP | |
| T C. Cross, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| RB D. Dallas, shoulder; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP | |
| TE C. Parkinson, biceps; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP | |
| S J. Adams, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP | |
| CB T. Brown, toe; Wed; LP; Thurs: FP | |
| TE N. Fant, wrist; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| LP D. Hall, shoulder; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| WR T. Lockett, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP | |
| NT J. Reed, tooth; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP | |
| WR J. Smith-Njigba, hip; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP | |
| RB K. Walker III, chest; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP | |
| WR D. Young, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP |
Steve’s Prediction
The 2023 version of Washington doesn’t seem like a team who can win two games in a row on the road. Seattle is a decent but not great team, so this will be a fairly close loss for Washington. 27 – 20 Seattle.