"Chuck Knocks" is back for another season, but for the first time in five years our Seahawk Opponent Training Camp Previews will live on our website. Fear not, The Feltsulator is coming with us to the website. Game by game, Jackson Felts will simulate the entire 2020 season (not sure he can take the fans out of the stands, so sorry about the lack of authenticity). I'll handle the rest...
THE INTERESTING SCALE: A+
It's always an A+. The Hawks ALWAYS have one of the most interesting camps. And I'm not saying that because I follow the team for a living. This organization is never dull. The GM seems to pull off one blockbuster trade per year, even during a pandemic. And there's simply no avoiding the disgruntled or troubled player. 2019- Wagner holdout, 2018- Thomas holdout/controversy, 2017- McDowell mishap, 2016- Bennett holdout threat, 2015- Kam holdout & in 2020 it's newly acquired Quinton Dunbar who won't practice at the start of camp, his reason the most bizarre one yet.
THE NEW FACE AT SEAHAWKS CAMP: JAMAL ADAMS
Three days before camp, John Schneider couldn't help himself. Tired from having gone a whole two seasons without the game's best safeties, the GM overpaid for Jamal Adams. As long as the Hawks win, and Adams signs long term, Schneider's aggression will have proven worth the gamble. Adams is a star knocking on the door of superstardom. And the man loves to talk. Unquestionably, he'll be the #1 topic at camp. And if he's not, he'll find a way to become it.
STAR OF HAWKS CAMP: DK METCALF
You can't take your eyes off him. And if you're not excited about the strides he could make in the second year of his career, then your football pulse needs checked. There isn't a WR in the NFL with a better combination of size, power and speed. He was good as a rookie, great in the playoffs, and after an offseason of apparently doing nothing but work on his body and his game, the sky might be the limit for what he can do this fall. Step aside Tyler Lockett, the Hawks have a new WR1.
FANTASY PICK: (SEE ABOVE)
But if you've waited as long as you possibly can to get Russell Wilson in the past, you may not be able to get away with it this year.
OUTLOOK: 10-6
Russell Wilson sits smack dab in the middle of his prime. And the MVP candidate may be working with the best group of pass catchers he's had. On defense, arguably the best safety in the league has been teamed with inarguably the best MLB. And special teams should be a strength.
However, this team is not without weakness--far from it. A bad 2019 pass rush looks, on paper, to be worse. And an already questionable offensive line has undergone a makeover Ty Pennington wouldn't recognize. And I fear the unit is now unavoidably worse. Competition within the division is going to be fierce, but Seattle will once again find its way to the playoffs.
But that's what I think. The Feltsulator knows all. How does "the machine" think the Seahawks will finish? Check it out...
The heavy lifting of Chuck Knocks may be over, but the season continues for the 2020Feltsulator Seahawks. After a shocking and disappointing loss in Washington that dropped the team to 10-4, the squad is gearing up for their final two games, hosting the Rams, then down in Santa Clara against the Niners. See how the simulated 2020 regular season ends right here, right now.
The new-look Rams are in town and their terrible logos can't save them from Russell Wilson. The Seattle quarterback led a field goal drive to start the game as the Seahawks jumped out to an early lead. After three punts, Seattle's next drive moved into LA territory where at the 22 yard line, Chris Carson turned the right corner and broke away for six (video below). The Rams responded with a field goal making it a 10-3 ballgame.
After multiple punts, Wilson started another drive at his own four, late in the first half. Two big passes to DK Metcalf set the Seahawks up inside the LA five yard line where Russ found a wide open Greg Olsen in the endzone, giving Seattle a 17-3 halftime lead. The second half didn't get any better for the Rams offense and mid-way through the third quarter, Wilson and Carson led another scoring drive that culminated in the running back's second score of the day.
As the game moved to the fourth quarter, the Rams finally put a touchdown drive together, ending in a Goff-to-Woods score, but Seattle's 24-10 lead was insurmountable. Jason Myers hit another field goal mid-way through the fourth and theFeltsulator Seahawks moved to 11-4 with a 27-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Stats:
Russell Wilson: 19 of 28 for 180 yards and 1 TD
Jared Goff: 20 of 31 for 205 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT
Chris Carson: 29 rushes for 134 yards and 2 TD
Malcolm Brownb 10 rushes for 30 yards
DK Metcalf: 4 catches for 61 yards
Cooper Kupp: 3 catches for 55 yards
For the sake of argument, and fun, let's say the Santa Clara 49ers are also 11-4. And on Sunday, January 3rd, the final game of the regular season is for the division, and shoot, why not, the #1 seed in the NFC. The Feltsulator Seahawks make their way to Santa Clara for the finale...
The first play of the game? A 75 yard touchdown run by Raheem Mostert. So, yea, that went well. The Seahawks responded, however, with two big passes to Greg Olsen. But on fourth and goal from the ten, as Jason Myers set up for a short field goal, the Niners blocked the kick. Not an optimal start for Seattle. On the very next play, though, Jimmy Garoppolo went deep to Deebo Samuel, and was picked off by Shaq Griffin, who returned it to San Fran eight. Unfortunately, third and goal from the six did not go as planned...
Seattle nabbed a field goal before the first quarter ended 14-3, but the damage was done. After a 49ers punt gave the ball back to the Seahawks, Wilson moved the ball down field again. A 25 yard catch and run by Carlos Hyde set up Chris Carson at the one yard line...
The teams would then trade field goals before the first half ended with the score 17-13, San Francisco in front. After a Seahawks punt to start the half, the Niners took the ball all the way down to the Seattle six where Mostert scored his second touchdown of the day on the ground. More punting moved the game into the fourth quarter where Russell Wilson found some momentum. The quarterback capped off an 84 yard drive with a one yard touchdown run (video below) then hit DK Metcalf for the two point conversion, making it a 24-21 ballgame with 8:33 left.
Sadly, the Niners responded. On a 6:21 drive that included FOUR third down conversions, Raheem Mostert played hero again, with another six yard touchdown run. Down 11 and two minutes left, the hill was too steep for Russell Wilson to climb. Jimmy Ward intercepted a deep pass to DK Metcalf on the next series, and kneel downs ended the game minutes later.
The Feltsulator Seahawks lost 31-21, finishing the year at 11-5. Good news, however, is that the Feltsulator did not have Jamal Adams on the team. In the real world, where Adams is at safety, we could see something far different, and better, in 2020. Thanks for watching, everyone, and Go Hawks! - Jackson Felts
Stats:
Russell Wilson: 28 of 40 for 306 yards, 1 rushing TD and 2 INT
Jimmy Garoppolo: 18 of 30 for 249 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT
Chris Carson: 18 rushes for 63 yards and 1 TD
Raheem Mostert: 19 rushes for 165 yards and 3 TD
Tyler Lockett: 9 catches for 100 yards
Deebo Samuel: 10 catches for 111 yards