The Seahawks have a big issue with time of possession on offense. Here is what the last 3 seasons have looked like.
2021 finished last 2022 finished 31st 2023 currently in last place
Okay so the title is misleading because they didnt finish last in 22’ but It would be lazy to just point at the QB and say thats why our time of possession is terrible. So lets have a discussion, is it due to play calling? Lack of discipline (penalties)? O-line? Is it Pete? What is the one consistent the last 3 years that has led us to this position?
This is an offense and defense side of things.
Having studied more of the Seahawks game data, gone and watched a few old games and considering stats like this, I’m starting to form a theory that together with the turnover battle mantra, Pete has embraced a philosophy of prioritising explosive plays. Namely:
On defense, Pete is most concerned about defending and stopping the explosive play. This explains the investment in the secondary over the trenches. This explains his bend but don’t break schemes. Pete hates giving up the 50 yard deep bomb. Instead Pete makes the opposition drive down the field with a thousand cuts. Unfortunately that’s exactly what’s been happening and those 98 yard, 15 play, 8 minute drives really rack up TOP against us.
On offense, the reverse is true. Pete wants those explosive plays, but safely (as he’s also all about ball security). So he seems to love asking his OCs to draw up deep balls on 3rd down regardless of distance to go and has seemed to prioritise his home run RBs and WR routes over just moving the sticks. Again, these explosive play designs though exciting when they work usually mean short offensive drives and regular 3 and outs, again bad for our TOP.