Seahawks vs. Lions Preview: Can Seattle Stop Detroit's Offense?
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The Seattle Seahawks go on the road for the first time this season when they take on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday.
The Seahawks head into Sunday's game with a losing record, while the Lions enter the matchup 1-0 after defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL season opener. In the win, the Lions were boosted by a balanced offensive attack, rushing for 118 yards on 34 carries, while quarterback Jared Goff threw for 250 yards to help secure the 21-20 win.
Like the Seahawks, the Lions offense has the ability to be successful through the air and on the ground, but their offense can be described as a "run-first" system. With the pairing of veteran running back David Montgomery and rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions will test the new-look Seattle front seven's ability to stop the run. This was a weakness for the Seahawks last season, yet seems to have improved after they surrendered just 92 yards on 40 attempts in the 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks' offense will be without starting offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas while facing a Lions defense that includes second-year edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Following the exits of Cross and Lucas against the Rams, pass protection proved to be a problem. After the Seahawks were held scoreless in the second half against the Rams, they will look to put together a complete game in Detroit.
With both tackles out, it is possible this matchup could make the battle up front all the more important. The Seahawks could lean heavily on their ground attack and lead back Kenneth Walker, making it potentially a battle of the run games.
WHAT: Seattle Seahawks (0-1) at Detroit Lions (1-0)
WHERE: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan (64,500)
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, 11:00 a.m. PT
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: KIRO-FM 97.3 / Seattle Sports 710
TICKETS: SI Tickets
BETTING via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Seahawks +4.5 (-110), Lions -4.5 (-118)
TOTAL: 47.5 (o -110, u -118)
MONEYLINE: Seahawks +175, Lions -213
