The Steelers and the Seahawks are similar and quite different. Both teams have a head coach who has managed to field a competitive team nearly every season under their watch. Both coaches emphasize strong defense and the run game. Only the Steelers actually back up that emphasis with some genuine toughness. It has been years since anyone could characterize the Seahawks as a tough team. Seattle has playmakers and a talented quarterback. Pittsburgh has an awful quarterback room and few offensive weapons.

The Steelers are the only team in this game with a truly elite aspect of their game. Their pass rush, especially on the edge with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, is dominant. It is good enough to make up for an inconsistent and injured secondary. Nothing on the Seahawks is as good as the Steelers edge rush. It is so good that this team has managed to have a winning record despite an offense that has scored 20+ points only six times all season. Pittsburgh is 6-0 in those games.

Seattle is anything but consistent. They have won with their passing game and lost because of it. They have won with their defense and lost because of it. Each aspect, almost every player, has been inconsistent for the Seahawks this season.

This is not a great matchup for Seattle. They have to trust their defense, the one that got pushed around by CFL offensive linemen in Tennessee, to hold the Pittsburgh offense down. They may need to win a third straight 20-17 game, but this is not the defense you want to be facing when you have to drive the length of the field at the end of the game.

What Seattle has going for it is the new emphasis on quick passing. Geno Smith had the 2nd-fastest time to throw in the NFL last week at 2.37 seconds. That makes it hard on any pass rush to get home. Pittsburgh is 3-7 this season when sacking the opposing quarterback 3 times or fewer, and 5-0 when notching 4 sacks or more.

It is hard to pick the Seahawks in a game where toughness is required. Advantage Steelers in an ugly one.

The way this works: Each offense will be pitted against the opposing defense and compared on an array of key statistical attributes based on their respective rank in the NFL. The tables that follow show the rank of each unit for each of these categories. 

This series is sponsored by Sarah and Chris Rood, huge Seahawks fans and Hawk Blogger patrons. Please thank them by contacting them to work with them on your next home purchase or sale in the Seattle area. They will donate an additional $500 to Ben’s Fund for every closed transaction!

Seahawks Offense vs Steelers Defense

Steelers key advantages on defense

Watt and Highsmith are monsters on the edge. Seattle will have to dedicate extra blockers to help their tackles protect. Keeanu Benton is a rookie defensive tackle who would have been a great pick for the Seahawks in the 2nd round instead of Derick Hall, but he went to a team who places higher value on interior defensive linemen.

Joey Porter Jr. has been good for a rookie at corner, and Minkah Fitzpatrick is a difference maker at safety if he’s healthy enough to play. Pittsburgh has been fighting through some injury problems at the safety position, in particular.

Seahawks key advantages on offense

Smith and the Seahawks have quietly been piling up explosive passes while the Steelers have been giving them up. D.K. Metcalf has the 2nd-most receiving touchdowns in the NFL since week 10. He and the Seahawks receiving corps has the advantage over a thin Steelers secondary if Seattle can protect long enough to get the pass off.

Steelers Offense vs Seahawks Defense

Steelers key advantages on offense

Mason Rudolph is due to start a second straight week after torching the Bengals for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns. George Pickens, though, was the real star. He had 4 catches for 195 yards, and is a big play threat on every snap. Najee Harris is a decent running back and Jaylen Warren is a dual threat runner and receiver. Diantae Johnson is a solid receiver opposite Pickens.

Seahawks key advantages on defense

Seattle has one of the best cornerback rooms in the NFL. Michael Jackson has come off the bench to play some of his best football, while Tariq Woolen is coming off his best game of the year. Devon Witherspoon is expected back this week, giving the crew the playmaker they need.

The Steelers offensive line is not great in pass protection. If the coverage holds up as it should, the pass rush should be able to get home. Leonard Williams has been playing well, and should be able to cause trouble for center Mason Cole. Boye Mafe ended his sack drought with his first 2-sack game of his career, and either he or Dre’Mont Jones, should have a favorable matchup against the Steelers tackles.

Special Teams

Seattle has a meaningful special teams advantage outside of field goals.

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Thanks to Sarah and Chris Rood for sponsoring this series!