This Sunday night matchup triggers redemption for the Eagles after the Seahawks downed the Birds in Week 11 of 2016. The Seahawks went on to notch their fifth consecutive playoff appearance before losing to the Falcons in the Divisional Round.
Key Additions: T Oday Aboushi, G Luke Joeckel, RB Eddie Lacy, S Bradley McDougald, DT Sheldon Richardson
Key Losses: WR Jermaine Kearse, T Garry Gilliam, K Steven Hauschka
Top Draft Pick: DT Malik McDowell
Head coach Pete Carroll commands the Seahawks for the eighth season. Since 2012, Carroll has led the franchise to five consecutive 10-plus-win seasons with a 56-23-1 overall record and back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013-14. During that span, the Seahawks have remained a staple among the NFL's elite lockdown clubs ranking in the top five in both fewest points and yards allowed.
Thanks to quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seahawks haven't been a slouch on offense either. Prior to last season – when Wilson was hobbled with multiple injuries – the Seahawks finished top 10 in scoring and total rushing yards every year since 2012. The ground game struggled last year as Wilson ran a career-low 72 times and lead running back Thomas Rawls missed seven games due to injury. The Seahawks are hoping a healthy Wilson, Rawls, and the addition of running back Eddie Lacy will help bring the ground game back to life.
The Seahawks returned playmakers Tyler Lockett, Jimmy Graham, and 1,000-yard receiver Doug Baldwin in the pass game. The Seahawks' secondary is among the league's best led by four-time first-team All-Pro safety Earl Thomas, three-time first-team All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, and two-time second-team All-Pro safety Kam Chancellor. Defensive ends Cliff Avril and Frank Clark were a pivotal reason why the team finished third in the NFL in sacks after combining for 21.5 as well as seven forced fumbles. Adding to the embarrassment of riches on the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks acquired Pro Bowl defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from the Jets at the final roster cutdown.
The Eagles will look to avoid dropping a fourth straight game to the Seahawks in one of the toughest places to play in the league. The Sunday night duel takes place on December 3 at CenturyLink Field with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m.
