Seahawks vs. Giants: 5 Adjustments Seattle Must Make

Sitting at 2-2, the Seahawks' season is still up in the air. Today, they're facing a weakened Giants team without star DE Justin Tuck and RB Brandon Jacobs.

Seattle has surprised most prognosticators by playing the Giants tight so far. The Seahawks need to prove to the league and to themselves that they can beat a good team on the road.

What changes do they need to make in the second half to bring home a big win?

1. Keep Attacking the Giants at the Line

At both offense and defense, the Giants are missing a key contributor. New York is without center David Baas and defensive end Justin Tuck.

Tuck is the key to so much that New York does on defense—both against the run and the pass. Seattle simply has to find a way to exploit his absence.

Running the ball has already proven effective. Marshawn Lynch has 68 yards rushing and one TD. Keep giving him the ball! The running game helps Seattle control the clock on the road and keeps Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora from teeing off.

2. Protect Tarvaris Jackson

Even without Tuck, the Giants have been able to get pressure on Jackson, and when they get close they're finishing the play by getting hits on the Seattle QB. 

Jackson may not last the game if he keeps taking these kinds of hits. Seattle should consider more max-protect sets, with an extra RB or TE staying in to pick up the New York rush.

3. Hold onto the Darn Ball!

Seattle was handed the ball deep in Giants territory in the first quarter on an Eli Manning fumble, only to give it right back on a fumble of their own.

In the second quarter, Seattle coughed it up again near the goal line. 

Playing on the road against a quality team, the Seahawks have to take advantage or every opportunity.

4. Take Some Deep Shots

Seattle is doing surprisingly well in the passing game so far, but one element their offense is missing is the deep threat. The New York secondary is mostly a collection of has-beens and castoffs. Take a shot with Sidney Rice.

5. Keep Clamping Down on Hakeem Nicks

Hakeem Nicks is the best WR on the Giants and arguably one of the top 10 wideouts in the league, yet so far, aside from his last-second TD, Seattle has limited him.

You can bet that the Giants will make changes in the second half to try to get the ball into their most talented player's hands even more. Seattle needs to be ready with a response, whether it's double-teaming Nicks, or confusing him by varying their bump and run coverage.