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?
Time of Possession is a weird stat because it has so many factors. It’s half offense, half defense, and is not only sustaining drives but also pace of play, and run/pass split
For example a 2 minute drive could be 3 run plays and a punt, or could be an 8 play touchdown drive
IMO for what people are discussing in this thread, plays/drive is the relevant statistic. Teams that sustain drives average have near 7 plays/drive (multiple first downs), teams that can’t average closer to 5 plays/drive. Seattle’s ranking in that these 3 years
2021: 5.2 plays, 32nd. Genuinely one of the most boom or bust offenses I’ve ever seen. Usually offenses that barely run 5 plays a drive are terrible
2022: 5.8, 22nd
2023: 5.7, 22nd
So the Geno offenses have been a bit below average here. Broadly speaking i think the biggest issue in 2022 was a very herky-jerky run game (last in the league in success rate). The run game hit enough explosives to be generally speaking ok, but held the offense back from sustaining long drives. This season the main culprit is this team cannot convert 3rd downs. Why that is is up for discussion but it’s basically impossible to run a lot of plays/drive if you’re bottom 5 in the league at converting 3rd downs