Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Friday, Oct. 9 - about your Seattle Seahawks (2-2) two days before the team takes on the Bengals (4-0) at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium, where kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT with television coverage on FOX (channel 13 in Seattle).
The Picks Are In
Elliot Harrison at NFL.com thinks the Seahawks will give the Bengals their first loss, predicting a 17-13 Seattle win, "Seattle steals another win -- though, this time on the road, so without the help of that crazy end zone at CenturyLink Field. Speaking of end zones, how often can the Bengals journey into the tiger-striped portion of the field on Sunday? Thus far, Cincy's offensive output has been quite impressive ...
» In three of four games, the Bengals have gone down the field on their first possession and scored a touchdown. *
*» Hue Jackson is keeping the pressure off Andy Dalton, pacing the NFL by running the ball 51.2 percent of the time. *
*» The Bengals are tied for the NFL lead with 20 completions of 20-plus yards. (Dalton has a 138.6 passer rating on throws of over 20 yards.)
We could keep going. All that said, the Kam Chancellor-infused defense is a badass unit. Cincinnati isn't going 16-0. This is loss No. 1."
ESPN NFL Nation writers Sheil Kapadia (Seahawks) and Coley Harvey (Bengals) each see a Cincinnati win.
Kapadia thinks the Bengals will win 20-17, "Defensively, Seattle has forced punts on 18 of 20 possessions since Kam Chancellor returned, but Cincinnati's downfield passing attack will present a new challenge. It will be close, but the Seahawks leave Paul Brown Stadium with a loss."
Harvey thinks the Bengals will win 23-16,* "Including one playoff game, the Bengals are 18-3-1 at home the past three seasons. Expect them to be 19-3-1 by the end of the day Sunday. The Bengals are outscoring opponents 66-18 through the first two quarters this season and have trailed for just one minute, 58 seconds all season. They still haven't allowed a first-half touchdown. Seattle has scored only five touchdowns this season, just one before halftime."*
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Danny O'Neil at 710Sports.com shares his picks for Week 5 around the NFL and sees a 19-13 win for the Bengals over the Seahawks, "The Bengals haven't been 5-0 since 1988, and like that season, Cincinnati's offense is slugging away like a heavyweight, gaining more yards per game than every team not nicknamed 'Patriots.' That means the No. 2 team in total offense is meeting the No. 2 team in total defense. The question is whether Seattle's offense can provide any semblance of support after scoring just five touchdowns over the first two games."
Peter Schrager at FOXSports.com predicts a 24-16 win for the Bengals.
Three of the eight NFL experts at CBSSports.com see a Seahawks victory.
Two of five *Around the League *writers at NFL.com like the Seahawks to win on the road this week.
And two of 13 NFL analysts at ESPN.com are picking Seattle over Cincinnati.
Which Team Has The NFL's Best Secondary?
In recent seasons, the Seahawks' 'Legion of Boom' defensive backfield has been considered one of the best secondaries in the League, but NFL.com wonders if a few other teams are starting to challenge Seattle for the top spot, prompting seven NFL Media analysts to share their take on which team boasts the best defensive backs.
The New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals earn mention, but Michael Irvin and Bucky Brooks give the nod to Seattle, and the pair's reasoning is laid out for you below.
Irvin: Give it another week or two, and I think Seattle will reclaim the throne. Kam Chancellor's absence over the first couple weeks hurt, but now that the strong safety is back, so is the unit. They were still the "Legion" without Kam, but now they have their "Boom" back. It's only a matter of time until that group gets back to being the best.
Brooks: The Jets and Broncos have significantly closed the gap on the Seahawks, but the "Legion of Boom" remains the premier defensive backfield in the NFL. Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor are not only top players at their respective positions, but they form a unit that suffocates passing games on the perimeter. While critics point to a simplistic scheme and the Seahawks' willingness to ignore the excessive contact rules on the edges, the fact that Pete Carroll's crew has been able to stifle the NFL's most explosive offenses with a coverage stolen from a high school playbook speaks volumes about the performance and production of the "LOB."
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from us - @Seahawks, as we celebrate Blue Friday with the 12s.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle recaps how well the Seahawks defense is playing right now and passes along Thursday's practice report for the Seahawks and Bengals.
Free safety Earl Thomas says he's looking forward to Sunday's matchup with the Bengals and admits Kam Chancellor's forced fumble against the Lions was better than a similar one he had against the St. Louis Rams last season.
Running back Fred Jackson explains how Marshawn Lynch helped him transition to Seattle in a post for The Players' Tribune.
Fullback Derrick Coleman shares a bit of his inspirational story as the NFL's first legally deaf offensive player.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times grades the Seahawks' offense, defense, and special teams through the first quarter of the season and says cornerback Cary Williams is happy in his new NFL home.
Jayson Jenks at the Seattle Times explains the lesson rookie Tyler Lockett learned after muffing a punt against the Lions in Week 4.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com looks at how the Seahawks have used tight end Jimmy Graham through the first four games.
Mike Sando at ESPN.com (Insider) ranks the NFL's top kickers and the Seahawks' Steven Hauschka earns a mention.
And Peter King at TheMMQB.com reviews Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton's hot start.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
