The Seattle Seahawks are still dealing with key injuries and coming off one of their worst offensive performances of the season, which they were lucky to not lose. They'll try to bounce back on the road against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8.
This game will be televised on FOX and cable/satellite subscribers can watch it online at Fox Sports GO. Verizon customers can also stream the game on mobile devices via the NFL's official app.
The Seahawks ended up with their first tie in franchise history after a bizarre and poorly played game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday Night Football. Neither team scored a touchdown and the game went into overtime tied at 3-3. The teams exchanged field goals once again in the extra period, but they missed opportunities to win the game, with Chandler Catanzaro and Steven Hauschka shanking chip-shot field goals. The game ended in a 6-6 tie as the league continues to scratch its head and wonder why ratings are dropping.
At any rate, the Seahawks are still on top of the NFC West at 4-1-1, but their injury list keeps growing. Michael Bennett picked up a knee injury in the tie and will be sitting out this week's game. Kam Chancellor has also been ruled out and is missing his third straight game with a groin injury. Those are huge losses to a defense that's ranked sixth in yards allowed per game, and gives Drew Brees some obvious spots to exploit.
Russell Wilson keeps playing through injuries and is still bothered by a knee issue. He also revealed that he's playing through a pectoral injury right now. Wilson hasn't looked right all year and his scrambling ability has vanished (just 33 rushing yards in six games). In addition, Christine Michael has slowed down, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry in the past three weeks. The Seahawks' offense needs to find a pulse again if they plan on making any noise in the playoffs this year.
Fortunately for Seattle, the Saints have the kind of defense that can break any team's offensive slump. New Orleans is 29th in yards allowed per game, 22nd in rushing defense, and 30th in pass defense. They can't stop anyone right now, letting the Kansas City Chiefs jump out to a fast 21-7 start and coasting to the 27-21 win. Drew Brees and the offense can only do so much with this situation, and the Saints are trending towards another lost year at 2-4.
Despite their struggles, Brees and the Saints are typically at their best in the Superdome, and Seattle has enough key defensive injuries that Brees may not have a hard time scoring points. The important factor in this game could be whether Wilson and Seattle's offense breaks out of its funk.
How to watch
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Place: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
TV: FOX
Announcers: Justin Kutcher, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman, Holly Sonders
Online: Fox Sports GO
Team details
Records: Seahawks 4-1-1, Saints 2-4
Game details: Everything you need to know for this game
Last week's results: Seahawks tie Arizona Cardinals, 6-6; Saints lose to Kansas City Chiefs, 27-21
Odds: Seattle is a road favorite at -2.5 to -3 points, according to OddsShark.
What's next: The Seahawks return home to battle the Buffalo Bills. The Saints head to Santa Clara to take on the San Francisco 49ers.