Week 13 preview and prediction: Giants at Seahawks
For the first time in three weeks, the Seattle Seahawks are back to playing football on Sunday afternoon. This weekend, the Seahawks play host to the visiting New York Giants at Lumen Field.
This is the first meeting between these teams since a 24-7 Seahawks victory in 2017, and the first time the Giants have returned to Seattle since their 38-17 loss in 2014. It also marks the first time since 2002 the Seahawks have not had to defend against Eli Manning as the Giants’ quarterback.
Instead, the Seahawks will either face second-year pro Daniel Jones or career backup and Texas Longhorn legend Colt McCoy. Jones has been playing solid football as of late but suffered a hamstring injury last week in a win over the Bengals. Although he practiced this week, it is seen as unlikely Jones will play.
Whoever does end up taking snaps at quarterback will face a banged-up Seahawks defense, who will be without cornerback Tre Flowers and perhaps defensive end Carlos Dunlap.
Despite being 4-7 and the punchline for a few years, the Giants are not a team to overlook. They have limited their turnovers on offense and their defense is one of the better units in the NFL. Specifically, their defensive front, which will tee-off against an injury-depleted Seattle offensive line.
Prediction: Seahawks over Giants 21-13
The Seahawks are the better team and have more to play for, but it doesn’t mean they should consider the Giants pushovers. New York plays teams tough and is a franchise with a seemingly bright future. Playing spoiler by upsetting the Seahawks would go a long way in the morale department for their rebuild.
However, the Seahawks still have Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Chris Carson. New York’s defense might provide stiff resistance, but there is simply too much firepower with the Seahawks to keep them contained for the whole game.
If Dunlap is available to play, the Seahawks defensive front shouldn’t have too much difficulty bringing the pressure on McCoy to slow the Giants down offensively.
In typical Seahawks fashion, expect a gritty win which ends up being closer than it seems like it should be.
