Seahawks, Lions head into Monday both in need of a victory
Somewhere along the way, Richard Sherman has become a bit more subdued.
The previous time the Seattle Seahawks were set to face the Detroit Lions three years ago, Sherman was more than happy to offer up his interest in playing the role of “Optimus Prime” to Calvin Johnson’s moniker of “Megatron.”
Now, as the Seahawks get set to host the Lions on Monday night, Sherman wasn’t so willing to play along.
“I just haven’t had much of an opportunity to do anything. I guess if the world’s been more quiet, then I’ve been more quiet,” Sherman said. “The opportunities just haven’t presented themselves. Those were perfect opportunities, and then you can’t do the same trick twice.”
Detroit ( 0- 3) is trying to avoid its first 0- 4 start since 2010, a deficit that would seem too difficult to overcome in the same division with Green Bay.
And while Seattle ( 1- 2) started the process of overcoming its 0- 2 start last week by knocking off Chicago, the Seahawks can’t afford to lose more ground to division- leading Arizona.
“This is one of those games that could be a turning point in our season,” Detroit linebacker James Ihedigbo said. “You get a win like this in a place like that it could really boost our team in the right direction.”
Seattle will be without starting running back Marshawn Lynch after he suffered a hamstring strain last week against Chicago. He has just 128 yards rushing on 38 carries through three games. Rookie Thomas Rawls flashed last week against the Bears in Lynch’s absence with 104 yards and will likely get the start.
The Seahawks will also be without defensive tackle Brandon Mebane ( groin), and starting linebacker Bruce Irvin is questionable with an ankle injury.
The Lions have their own injury concerns. Running back Joique Bell is out and hopes that defensive leader DeAndre Levy would return from his hip injury were muted when despite a week of limited practice he was listed as doubtful on the final injury report.
“I think our team is right there,” Detroit coach Jim Caldwell said. “You just can’t see it, but we can.”
The Seahawks would like to stop a trend of slow offensive performances in the first half. Seattle is averaging six points and 120.3 yards and has yet to score an offensive touchdown in the first half. Contrast that with the second half, where the Seahawks are averaging 18.3 points and 225.7 yards.
The Lions don’t have history on their side as an 0- 3 team with hopes to make the playoffs, though they don’t buy in the public’s gloomy outlook for them. “It’s not dire,” safety Glover Quin said. “There is a lot of football left. We just have to find a way to get a win.”