Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks: Full Seattle Game Preview

Unlike a week ago, the Seattle Seahawks face a quality opponent in the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12.

Both teams are still mathematically in the playoff hunt and equally need a win this week. The Steelers are coming off of a bye week, so expect them to be well-prepared for Seattle.

Pittsburgh has enjoyed success against the Seahawks during the last 10 years, dating back to a 2006 Super Bowl victory over Seattle. The Steelers and Seahawks have played twice since that game, with Pittsburgh shutting out Seattle in each (21-0 in 2007 and 24-0 in 2011). 

The all-time series between these two teams, which started in 1977, is at 9-8 in Pittsburgh's favor.

Seattle has the benefit of playing a third straight home game this week, which should make communication difficult for the Steelers offense.

The Seahawks defense will need the crowd behind it to contain Pittsburgh's high-flying offense, which is scoring more than 26 points per game this season. 

This contest has the potential to be one of this weekend's best games—continue reading to find out what to watch for.

Location: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA

Time: 4:25 ET

TV: CBS Channel 7

Week 11 Recap

Graphic created by the author using Piktochart.

The Seattle Seahawks dismantled the reeling San Francisco 49ers 29-13 at home last Sunday on the backs of their young offensive talents.

Rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett caught two touchdown passes and undrafted rookie running back Thomas Rawls had a career day running the football. Rawls is the first Seattle running back to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since Shaun Alexander did it in 2001.

San Francisco quarterback Blaine Gabbert was stifled by the Seahawks defense, as was the rest of the 49ers offense. It was an important and controlling victory for Seattle. 

The Seahawks currently sit at .500 and at second place in the NFC West after last weekend's win.

News and Notes

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Marshawn Lynch to miss extensive time

Seattle will be pushing for a postseason berth without star running back Marshawn Lynch.

An ESPN report says Lynch will miss at least a couple of weeks with an abdominal injury that kept Beast Mode from playing against the 49ers last week. NFL Media has reported Lynch underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a sports hernia. 

Lynch first suffered the injury practicing before Seattle's Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals. He was rather ineffective in that game, which ended as a 39-32 loss for the Seahawks.

Even with Rawls playing at a high level, Lynch's absence is significant moving forward. More analysis of this can be found on the next slide. 

Cornerback Jeremy Lane returns

Sunday will be the first time since last year's Super Bowl that Jeremy Lane will take the field for Seattle. Lane suffered a broken arm and torn ACL after being tackled by New England Patriots wideout Julian Edelman on an interception return in the big game.

Lane's return is timely, especially against the Steelers' wide receivers—who are arguably the best in the league. 

Seahawks.com reported Monday that it's unclear exactly where Lane will line up on Sunday, but it could be in multiple spots. With high-priced free agent Cary Williams not playing up to expectations, it wouldn't be surprising to see Lane take a few snaps at the right corner position. 

In the report from the team's website, head coach Pete Carroll said Lane would compete for playing time at both the right and nickel corner positions. 

The Legion of Boom has to be pleased with this news. Seattle's secondary has given up back-breaking plays at the end of multiple losses this season, and although Lane has missed significant time, his familiarity with the team's system should yield positive results sooner rather than later. 

Injury News

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Beast Mode out, Rawls in

What are the implications of Marshawn Lynch's aforementioned injury? Let's take a look.

Thomas Rawls will clearly be the Seahawks' lead back until Lynch returns, and for good reason—the undrafted rookie leads the NFL in yards-per-carry average with 5.98. 

In past years, Lynch suffering a serious injury would've put a serious dent in everything the Seahawks do on offense.

But in 2015, Lynch hasn't been all that productive. He has 417 yards on 111 carries, giving him an average of just less than 3.8 yards per carry. Lynch only has three rushing touchdowns on the season.

This isn't to say Lynch's absence is or will be insignificant. Even at less than 100 percent, Lynch still must be accounted for by opposing defenses.

Rawls, however, does bring speed to the table—a key missing ingredient of the 2015 Seahawks offense. With Rawls in, the Seahawks have a chance to replicate the kind of offense they've enjoyed in recent years with Beast Mode leading the charge.

Rawls' explosiveness and ability to run through tackles is eerily similar to what a healthy Marshawn Lynch can do. Now, Rawls must show he can produce in this fashion on a consistent basis.

Fourth-year pro Bryce Brown will likely be the second string tailback this Sunday, as Seahawks.com reports that Brown has been re-signed for depth at running back. Brown has six career rushing touchdowns and has 1,004 rushing yards to his name.

There's no doubt this is Rawls' backfield now.

Paul Richardson likely out vs. Steelers

It will be a challenge for wideout Paul Richardson to play in Sunday's game, according to coach Carroll, as reported by Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Richardson suffered a hamstring injury against the Cardinals in Week 10.

Richardson's absence certainly won't help against the Steelers, but it's notable that rookie Tyler Lockett had success last week in an increased workload on offense. Expect Lockett's receiving role to continue expanding as long as Richardson keeps missing time. 

Seattle's current lack of perimeter firepower will ultimately mean the game plan against the Steelers will be even more heavily focused on running the football with Rawls. 

Key Matchups

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Legion of Boom vs. Steelers wide receivers

Containing the Steelers' Antonio Brown is the most important job for Seattle's secondary this weekend. If the unit fails to cover him, Sunday's game will get out of hand quickly.

Brown is by far and away Pittsburgh's No. 1 passing target. Steelers quarterbacks have targeted Brown 114 times this season—that's more than twice the amount of targets for tight end Heath Miller (50) and approaching triple the amount of wideout Martavis Bryant's 42.  

Cornerback Richard Sherman will likely get the call to cover Brown for the majority of the game. But what'll be more intriguing to watch on Sunday is how the right corner position fares against Pittsburgh's other targets.

Remember that Cary Williams was benched in the third quarter of last week's win against the 49ers in favor of strong safety DeShawn Shead. Williams was essentially removed from the lineup after allowing big plays (including a touchdown) to 49ers tight end Vance McDonald. 

It was the only touchdown San Francisco scored in the game. 

Shead, meanwhile, has shown he can be a playmaker. He has only started once this season, but in 10 games played, Shead has a forced fumble and a sack to go along with 33 combined tackles. 

The right corner position could be a revolving door on Sunday, especially with the aforementioned return of Jeremy Lane. 

Keep an eye of that ultra-important matchup.

Thomas Rawls vs. Pittsburgh's front seven

This matchup doesn't require a lot of analyzing, but it's an important one to talk about nonetheless.

It's no secret that Seattle's offensive game plan will revolve around Rawls. The Seahawks operate best when they can effectively run the football, and they'll look to establish ground dominance early against the Steelers.

Seattle could have a hard time doing this, though. In its last six games, the Steelers defense has only given up more than 100 rushing yards twice. In that same span, Pittsburgh has held opposing offenses to 55 or fewer rushing yards three times.

It's not easy to run on Pittsburgh, but it's not impossible, either. Sunday will be an excellent test to see how Rawls produces against a good run defense—something he didn't face against San Francisco.

X-Factor: Russell Wilson

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

We almost made it through an entire NFL article without mentioning the home team's quarterback.

But now we need to, because Russell Wilson truly is the X-factor in this weekend's game.

Last week against the 49ers, Wilson reminded us how lethal he can be outside the pocket. There were many occasions where he effortlessly dodged an incoming defender and made a play with his legs, whether it was a scramble or a throw down the field.

He'll face a stiffer pass rush against the Steelers, however. Pittsburgh has 28 sacks on the season and will be looking to feast on a susceptible Seattle offensive line. 

The formula is simple—if Rawls can be consistently effective running the ball, then Wilson will be given opportunities to make big plays. If Seattle can't effectively run the ball, then Wilson will have to create opportunities on his own, because they won't be given to him. 

Wilson must make throws to open wideouts when the chances are there. It's a "duh" statement, but Wilson hasn't always made easy throws this season.

Pittsburgh's pass defense gives up more than 278 yards through the air per game. There will be chances for Wilson to hit receivers downfield, and those chances must be capitalized on.

His performance may well be the deciding factor against the Steelers. 

Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Seattle Seahawks 17

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Despite recent production from talented youth, the Seahawks will fall just short against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon. 

The Seahawks secondary will fare better against the Steelers receivers than many expect, but Pittsburgh will find a way to break a big play when they need it most—Seattle's defense has been less than clutch in big spots against quality opponents this season.

Running back Thomas Rawls will have a good day against the Steelers to the tune of about 100 rushing yards and a score. But Seattle's red-zone offense will sputter, and the Seahawks won't be able to keep up with Pittsburgh's high-flying offense.

Seattle loses another tight one at home against a quality opponent to drop to 5-6 on the season.  

Ethan is a Seahawks Game Day Correspondent for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ebai_today for Seahawks coverage and analysis and musings about the NFL. Happy Thanksgiving!