Seahawks expert picks the Dallas Cowboys to win in Week Three

We went behind enemy lines to get some insider knowledge about the Dallas Cowboys upcoming battle with the Seattle Seahawks from 12th Man Rising.

The Dallas Cowboys will travel northwest to face off against the winless Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. It will be the home opener for the Seahawks who play in one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, CenturyLink Field.

In preparation for the matchup, The Landry Hat had a chance to go behind enemy lines to pick the brain of site expert Lee Vowell, from 12th Man Rising, FanSided’s fan site dedicated to the Seattle Seahawks. And here are the results.

#1. What are your thoughts about the Earl Thomas trade speculation to Dallas? Do you think a move could still happen after Week 3?

LV: After the Khalil Mack trade, I imagine anything is possible in the NFL now. But I think the Seahawks want more for Thomas than Dallas is willing to give.

Plus, at this point, Seattle’s defense is so beat up that keeping Thomas is extremely important. He makes the team much better.

There is a lot of speculation for what Seattle wants back in a trade for Thomas, though.

The Seahawks might still look into signing Thomas to an extension if they are truly re-tooling and not rebuilding. If that is so, teams would have to give up a bunch to get Thomas.

2. Can you talk about Kris Richard, his time in Seattle and his dismissal in the offseason?

LV: Richard had successful years as the defensive coordinator in Seattle. But the question was always is he that good or is the talent he has really good? Judging by the way no team seemed all that interested in him as a coordinator, the league thought his success was more about the talented players instead of a talented coach.

Two things about the Seahawks defense, though. One, the unit is really Pete Carroll’s and the defensive coordinator is really just an assistant. And two, Carroll wanted a rah-rah guy back to lead the defense and Richard isn’t that. Ken Norton Jr. is, however.

3. What would you consider to be the Seahawks’ biggest strength? Biggest weakness?

LV: Seattle’s biggest strength so far in 2018 is the play of their safeties. Earl Thomas is grading as the number one safety in the NFL and Bradley McDougald is number three, according to Pro Football Focus. I would like to say it’s the linebackers, but Seattle was without Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright on Monday. Wagner hopes to return this week.

Oh, and Michael Dickson. He is an absolute freak of a punter.

The biggest weakness this season is offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. He seems to have made Russell Wilson confused when he drops back and Wilson is holding on to the ball even longer than in previous years. Schottenheimer also seems to have forgotten how to call run plays consistently. Seattle did not try to run at all in the third quarter on Monday night. And starter Chris Carson didn’t run the ball after 11:50 was left in the second quarter.

4. Who is one relatively unknown player that will surprise Dallas fans on Sunday?

LV:  Will Dissly. He’s a rookie tight end who was drafted this year to block and sometimes catch. In week one, though, he had three catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. In week two he had another touchdown reception. He looks like he is going to be much better than even the Seahawks hoped.

5. What’s your prediction for the upcoming game and score.

LV: At the rate the Seahawks offense is going, it’s tough to pick them. A decent defense could make it tough for Wilson and company to score and Dallas seems to have a good defense. I like that the Seahawks are starting to get some talent back, like Wagner, and I think it will be low scoring, but I think Dallas wins 20-17.