Experts predict dangerous setup for meme treatment in Seahawks' matchup versus Commanders
The Seattle Seahawks are coming into one of the best situations available for Week 9. The Seahawks are coming off a bye week from Week 8, with most of their injured players set to return. Their opponents in the Washington Commanders have some concern with injuries limiting the team, including at the quarterback position with Jayden Daniels.
There is a lot of faith for the Seahawks to remain in the hunt for a key playoff spot and the NFC West Divisional title. Meanwhile, there is currently a lot of concern with the Commanders’ health and their ability to challenge the Philadelphia Eagles. That is why all ten experts from NFL.com predicted the Seahawks to take the Week 9 home win over the Commanders.
On the surface, this should be a great sign that the media outlets believe in the Seahawks’ ability to take this game. These predictions, all favoring Seattle, put a big target on the team’s backs and set up a potential meme treatment. If the Seahawks lose to the Commanders at home, it sets up a reactionary piece of trolls from the national media, the Commanders’ social media, and fans.
This is a common treatment from other teams if they do get the win. It’s a troll move that leaves a bad taste in the losing favorites’ mouths, as it hurts just as much as the loss.
There are good reasons for concerns in this matchup for the Seahawks. The first is that not all of the Seahawks’ starting secondary will return from injury. On Thursday, Seattle head coach Mike MacDonald said that safety Julian Love suffered a setback and his status for the game is in jeopardy, with IR being a possibility.
One of the biggest areas for the Seahawks to watch for is the Commanders possibly having Daniels back in the lineup. Daniels was a full participant all week in practice, according to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. While it is likely that Daniels might not be 100% healthy with his hamstring, he is still a more dangerous player than backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The Seahawks would have liked to have their secondary back healthy, especially defending against Daniels. With Love likely out, until it is announced he will be out, that means rookie Nick Emmanwori moving from slot cornerback or having Ty Okada step up, once again, in place of the injured Love.
Six of the experts have the Seahawks winning by more than one possession on Sunday Night, while four others believe it will be close. The amount the Seahawks win by, according to the ten analysts, is 8.1 points.
The Seahawks have been the hunters for a good portion of the season, but they will have to prepare for a desperate Commanders team that knows they're underdogs.
Patrick Surtain II Vows to Return Stronger: ‘This Setback Won’t Be Any Different’
The Denver Broncos are facing a major challenge with the news that their star cornerback, Patrick Surtain II, will be sidelined for several weeks due to a pectoral injury sustained during their Week 8 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The loss of Surtain, a key player on the Broncos' defense and the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, could have a significant impact on the team’s performance in the coming weeks. However, the All-Pro cornerback remains resolute in his belief that this setback will not define him.
"Injuries happen. They don’t define who I am or what I bring to the table. I’ve come back from setbacks before, and this one won’t be any different. I’ll be back stronger than ever and ready to lead my team to victory,"
Surtain’s words are a testament to his resilience and mental fortitude. The cornerback has faced challenges throughout his career but has consistently bounced back, using every obstacle as motivation to improve. This injury, while significant, is just another hurdle for Surtain, and he is determined to return even stronger. His unyielding determination is not just about his personal success, but also about leading his team to victories, and he is committed to making that happen, no matter the circumstances.
While Surtain is out, the Broncos’ defense will need to adjust, and several players, including Kris Abrams-Draine and Riley Moss, will have to step up in his absence. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will have to tweak the defensive schemes to account for the loss of one of the league’s top cornerbacks. However, Surtain’s leadership and influence will continue to be felt from the sidelines, as he remains a key figure in the locker room.
The Broncos’ defense has been one of the team’s strong points this season, and Surtain has played a major role in that. His absence leaves a void, but the team will rely on the depth and collective effort of its defensive unit to maintain its level of play. Surtain’s focus will now be on recovery, but he has made it clear that his work is far from done.
“I’ve come back from setbacks before,” Surtain continued. “This is just part of the journey. I’m going to keep putting in the work, keep learning, and keep getting better. When I’m back on that field, I’ll be ready to lead again.”
The Broncos have a tough road ahead, including upcoming games against the Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders. While Surtain’s injury presents a challenge, his leadership and belief in his team will continue to motivate them to perform at their best. With Surtain's determination and his drive to come back stronger, it’s clear that he is ready to overcome this setback and return to the field as one of the league’s top cornerbacks.
