Seattle pass defense better than numbers

Steve Smith has been impossible to contain, but Seattle's secondary might just be up to the task, writes KC Joyner.

Updated: January 20, 2006, 4:28 PM ET
By KC Joyner | ESPN Insider
Containing WR Steve Smith is the key for the Seattle Seahawks if they are going to win their matchup against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Chicago Bears ranked fifth in the league in passing yards allowed per game, yet they allowed Smith to run through their secondary all day long. Given the Seahawks ranked 25th in passing yards allowed, is there any reason to think they can slow down Smith?

Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to review how Seattle did against the other top wide receivers it faced this year. The Seahawks faced a number of teams that lacked an elite wide receiver, and also benefited from facing teams when their top wide receiver was out with an injury (Houston's Andre Johnson in Week 6).

The Seahawks faced a top wide receiver in seven games: Arizona and St. Louis twice each, Washington, Dallas and the New York Giants.


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KC Joyner

NFL Insider
  • NFL and CFB analyst for ESPN Insider
  • Known as "The Football Scientist"
  • Uses proprietary metrics from game tape study

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