The Jets take on old friend Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday
The New York Jets are essentially out of playoff contention already, but they will be seeking to restore some pride in front of their home fans on Sunday against a 6-5 Seattle Seahawks team. The Seahawks are looking to consolidate their place atop the NFC West against a team that last beat them 20 years ago.
Let’s break down the Seattle roster going position by position:
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith last played for the Jets eight years ago, but he will still enjoy an opportunity to get one over on his old team as he strives for his third Pro Bowl appearance in a row.
Smith leads the NFL in completions and passing yards per game, but he also has a league-high 12 interceptions. Having led the league in completion percentage last season, he’s down in fifth place this year. He also has four 300-yard games.
Compared to last season, Smith has been running the ball more. He has generated 14 first downs and two touchdowns on the ground, including a 34-yarder, so you still need to account for his ability to make plays with his legs.
Former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell backs up Smith, but he has not had to throw a pass so far this year.
Offensive Line
The Seahawks have good stability on the left side of the line with former first round pick Charles Cross at tackle and ex-Jet Laken Tomlinson at guard. Each has been healthy all year. However, they’ve been forced into multiple changes at the other three positions on the line.
At center, veteran Connor Williams just announced his retirement a few weeks ago, so youngster Olu Oluwatimi has taken over as the starter. He’s actually done really well so far.
The right guard for the first 11 games was Anthony Bradford, but he was just placed on injured reserve. Seattle is giving two rookies a chance to compete for the starting role this week. Third round pick Christian Haynes saw some action earlier in the season but struggled, so sixth rounder Sataoa Laumea might end up getting his first chance to play. Bradford was leading the team in penalties and sacks allowed so this was already a weak spot for the Seahawks.
The starting right tackle is now Abraham Lucas, who was just activated off the PUP list two games ago. Lucas started 16 games at right tackle as a rookie in 2022 but suffered a serious knee injury last year. Prior to Lucas’ return, Stone Forsythe started five games and George Fant started two before each ended up on injured reserve. Another sixth round rookie, Michael Jerrell, filled in as the starter for a few games before Lucas returned, but he struggled and is now back on the bench.
Forsythe could also return this week, as he’s recovered from the injury that sidelined him earlier this year, so his practice window has been opened. This could be just in time, because after practicing on Wednesday, Lucas did not practice on Thursday due to a knee issue.
In addition to Jerrell and whoever loses the right guard competition, Jalen Sundell is on the bench as the number two center. He’s only played six snaps this year
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker is Seattle’s leading rusher, although he’s only averaging 3.8 yards per carry and hasn’t had a 100-yard game since the opener. Walker leads the NFL in missed tackles forced according to Pro Football Focus and has scored eight total touchdowns.
The number two back is Zach Charbonnet, who has also seen plenty of playing time, although he’s only averaging 3.4 yards per carry. He’s caught 27 passes and scored five times though.
Kenny McIntosh is the number three back, but he’s barely played so far this season.
Pass catchers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is having a breakout year as he leads Seattle in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns. He has averaged 122 yards per game over the past three weeks.
DK Metcalf is still probably Seattle’s most dangerous receiver, but he missed a few games so he’s just behind Smith-Njigba with almost 700 receiving yards. He leads the team with a 15.2 yards per catch average.
Tyler Lockett brings experience as the number three and although he’s past his prime, he still has 38 catches for almost 500 yards.
Other than these three, the only receiver to see significant action this year is Jake Bobo, who has just 10 catches. That could be important because both Lockett and Metcalf missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to knee issues.
Laviska Shenault, Cody White and Dareke Young have mostly just been contributing on special teams.
At tight end, Noah Fant has 27 catches but missed the last three games. He looks set to make his return on Sunday.
Fourth round rookie AJ Barner has been starting with Fant out. He has 19 receptions and is the only Seattle tight end with a touchdown catch this year.
On the bench are Pharaoh Brown, who had a 58-yard touchdown against the Jets while with the New England Patriots last season, and Brady Russell, who is mostly a special teamer. Russell missed practice on Thursday.
Defensive Line
Seattle operates with a 3-4 base, often dropping into a 2-4-5 nickel, and they typically rotate five guys.
Ex-Jet Leonard Williams has five sacks and leads the team with 18 quarterback hits. He should be fine to play this weekend despite resting a foot injury in practice.
The nose tackle is rookie Byron Murphy, who was the 16th overall pick in April. Jarran Reed is listed as the other starter.
Veterans Roy Robertson-Harris and Johnathan Hankins are the primary reserves with Mike Morris rounding out the rotation.
Linebackers
The Seahawks made big changes over the past month or so at the inside linebacker position when they waived Tyrel Dodson and traded Jerome Baker to the Titans for a package including Ernest Jones.
The 25-year old Jones has moved into a full-time role, racking up 47 tackles in his first four games with the team. Jones practiced full on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday, so that situation is worth watching.
Alongside Jones, third round rookie Tyrice Knight’s role has been increased since Dodson was released and he is now starting.
On the outside, Dre’Mont Jones and Derick Hall are listed as the starters, although Boye Mafe started their most recent game ahead of Jones. Hall leads the team with six sacks while Mafe has five and Jones has four. Hall also has two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown.
Uchenna Nwosu, who had 9.5 sacks in 2022, was just activated from injured reserve so he will practice this week and could return on Sunday to add a boost to this group.
Reserves Trevis Gipson and Drake Thomas have also had some reps at linebacker but Josh Ross and Patrick O’Connell are yet to see action on defense.
Defensive Backs
Seattle’s secondary relies on two young cornerbacks who were Pro Bowlers as rookies over the past two seasons. Riq Woolen made it as a fifth round pick in 2022 and Devon Witherspoon made it last year as a first-rounder. However, Witherspoon leads the team with six penalties and Woolen has given up a team-high five touchdowns. Woolen leads the team with seven pass break-ups.
In their nickel package, Witherspoon goes into the slot and Josh Jobe enters the game on the outside. That was Tre Brown’s role until week six when Jobe took over from him.
Another week six change saw Rayshawn Jenkins replaced by Coby Bryant at safety as he went onto injured reserve. Bryant had a pick-six last week. Jenkins, who scored a defensive touchdown against the Giants earlier this year, made his return from injured reserve last week and saw action in three-safety sets.
The other safety is Julian Love, who intercepted four passes and was selected as a pro bowler last season. He currently leads the team in total tackles.
With two other reserves, cornerback Artie Burns and safety K’Von Wallace, currently on injured reserve, the rest of the Seahawks backups haven’t played much. Rookies Nehemiah Pritchett, a fifth round pick, and the undrafted Dee Williams are available as cover at cornerback and AJ Finley and Jerrick Reed provide depth at safety.
Special Teams
Seattle’s kicking game has been a little disappointing this year. Punter Michael Dickson is outside the top-10 for gross and net average and placekicker Jason Myers has missed five kicks, including a potential game-tying kick against the New York Giants that was blocked and returned for the clinching touchdown.
In the return game, Shenault has provided a spark with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. McIntosh, Williams and White back him up.
Williams is also the punt returner but he averages just 7.5 yards per return with a longest return of 23 yards.
In kick coverage, Russell, Thomas and Shenault have been productive. Young is their primary gunner.
Finally, White was added to the active roster after being elevated from the practice squad a few weeks ago and blocking a key punt.