Seattle Seahawks: 5 Moves Pete Carroll Should Make To Win the NFC West

The Seattle Seahawks are tied atop the NFC West with the St. Louis Rams, but they've lost two games in a row and are in danger of falling behind Sam Bradford and Co. for the division lead.

But in the weak NFC West, it won't take too many adjustments for the Seahawks to make the playoffs.

Pete Carroll has some untapped talent hiding in his roster, and he just needs to make a few changes to get the most out of his team.

Here are five moves Carroll needs to make for Seattle to come out on top of its division.

1. Bench Marshawn Lynch

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Marshawn Lynch is ranked last in the NFL (among players with 96-plus rushes) with a  minus 22.9 percent DVOA, according to Football Outsiders.

He's averaging a pathetic 3.5 yards per carry, and while much of the blame should be put on Seattle's O-line, 3.5 is an unacceptable number.

And with an average of 3.9 ypc for his career, it's not likely that Lynch will pick things up anytime soon.

2. Continue To Get Ben Obomanu Involved

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 22: Ben Obomanu #87 of the Seattle Seahawks returns a kick against the Minnesota Vikings at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 22, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Obomanu has 14 catches over the last three weeks, for 306 yards and two touchdowns.

He has a remarkable 74.8 percent DVOA (second in the NFL among receivers with seven-plus receptions, albeit with a small sample size), and he has emerged as a legitimate No. 2 wideout for Matt Hasselbeck.

Mike Williams is still the go-to guy—when he's healthy—but Obomanu needs to be featured over the disappointing Deon Butler and Golden Tate for the time being.

3. Do Something About The Offensive Line

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end John Carlson #89 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled Steve Gregory #28 and Antoine Cason #20 of the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

I don't know what Seattle can do about its offensive line—injuries haven't helped—but something needs to be done.

The Seahawks get stuffed a league-worst 28 percent of the time on runs, and they can't seem to get anything going in the running game.

Whether it's a firing, benching, free-agent signing or something, Seattle needs to make a change.

And some running back changes might help, too...

4. Give Leon Washington Some Love

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the New York Giants at Qwest Field on November 7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 41-7. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Leon Washington has been the league's best kick returner this weekend, and he might be the most explosive player on Seattle's roster.

But he's only had more than five carries once this whole year (Week 1) and has just five receptions on the year.

He's also only had one carry in the last four weeks.

With his big-play ability, Washington should be way more involved in the Seahawks' plans, in both the running and receiving games.

5. Get Justin Forsett More Involved

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Running back Justin Forsett #20 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his four yard touchdown carry with center Chris Spencer #65 against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 14

Forsett is also one of Seattle's best playmakers, yet he only has 96 carries on the season.

Just like Washington, Forsett needs to be a lot more involved in the rushing and receiving games.

The two would form one of the most explosive tandems in the NFL.

Comments

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks points to his offense during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

What do you think?

Voice your opinion in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.