Seahawks' hot streak conceals Sam Darnold's turnover issues. Punters should favor a run-heavy Seahawks game plan: consider Seahawks moneyline plus an under on Darnold's passing yards or an over on team rushing yards — leaning on Walker/Charbonnet could limit Darnold and reduce big-play risk for bettors.
Seahawks' Winning Streak Masks Sam Darnold's Late-Season Slide
Seattle enters the season finale riding a six-game winning streak and a 10‑of‑11 run that positions them as one of the NFL's hottest teams. Yet underneath the surge, the starting quarterback's form is a concern as the Seahawks head toward the playoffs.
Quarterback Struggles: Stats and Context
Sam Darnold's recent performance has dipped: last outing produced just 147 passing yards, one touchdown and two turnovers. Since Week 11 he has eight total touchdowns to 10 turnovers, and his season turnover total sits at the highest mark in the league. At the same time, his 8.5 yards per attempt and a sub-100 passer rating paint a mixed picture — big-play ability remains, but decision-making late in games is costing the team.
Why Defenses Are Giving Darnold Issues
Opponents have found a clear blueprint: disguise coverages and deploy heavy post-snap movement to force hesitation. Teams that load the backend and present tight coverage have repeatedly flustered Darnold, limiting easy reads and amplifying the impact of his turnovers. The Carolina game illustrated how disciplined coverage and schematic variation can neutralize Seattle's passing threat even when pass rush pressure is limited.
Run Game Should Be the Plan
Seattle's best path out of this funk is to recommit to the run. Featuring Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet more aggressively would force opponents to respect the ground attack and bring more defenders into the box, which should open cleaner passing looks and prevent defenses from defaulting to dime packages and disguised coverages. A steady, physical rushing attack could restore balance and take pressure off Darnold's decision-making.
Betting Implications and Props to Watch
For bettors, the matchup suggests actionable angles: consider under on Darnold's passing-yard props and higher probability on a turnover prop or interception market. Backing the Seahawks moneyline while also targeting team rushing totals or individual rushing overs for Walker and Charbonnet can capture the scenario where Seattle leans run-first to protect a slumping passer. Expect defensive schemes to increase disguised coverage rates, which supports conservative passing props and turnover-focused bets.
Outlook
Seattle's streak is real, but its postseason aspirations hinge on whether the offense can mask Darnold's turnovers with a dominant running game. If Walker and Charbonnet impose themselves, Seattle remains a dangerous playoff team; if not, continued coverage disguises and turnovers could stall their momentum.
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Darnold peaked in the top five of CBS Sports' quarterback power rankings, but he's barely hanging onto a top-10 spot as the regular eason winds down.
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