The Seattle Seahawks host the Washington Commanders in Week 10 of the 2023 NFL Season on Sunday, November 12th at 1:25 PM.

What do the Hawks need to do to get past the Commanders and get back on track with just seven games remaining this season? We've distilled it down to 5 Keys to Victory.

There's a lot on the line in every NFL regular season game. Every team has only 17 chances to put a W in the win column, and then, it's either on to the playoffs, or go home.

The Washington Commanders are coming off a less-than-exciting victory over the hapless New England Patriots this past Sunday and will be trying to get to the .500 mark, currently at 4 and 5 on the season and trailing both the Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are tied for 1st place in the NFC West with the San Francisco 49ers at 5 and 3 but are still licking their wounds from a 37-3 pounding vs the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9..

5 Keys to Victory for Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Commanders

#1 Seattle Must Have Improved Offensive Play-Calling

Very curious playcalling, sluggish execution, a banged-up Offensive Line, and not enough time for Geno Smith to make plays. These are the things that kept the Seahawks' Defense on the field in last week's disaster.

At times this season, the Hawks offense has really looked sharp. Geno has an accurate rocket launcher for an arm, our receiving corps is among the NFL's best, the tight ends are top-notch, and the running backs are powerful and capable of making big plays. Yes, the O-Line has had injury problems, but they have been good enough. Let Geno cook. More play-action. Run the ball and open up the passing game.

#2 Yeah, Run The Damn Ball

It may not be as exciting as 40-yard tosses downfield, but we're not talking 'ground Chuck'. We're talking about getting back to what Pete loves to do. Weren't the Beastmode years exciting enough? I seem to recall the amazing feeling of winning a Super Bowl. Don't you?

Look each of the linemen in the eye and ask, 'Are you going to get beat, or are you going to move some bodies out of the way?' Every man, do your job. Open some holes, let Kenneth and Zach go North and South. This opens things up for the passing game. It may sound too simplistic, but sometimes with precision execution, that's all it takes. We have the horses to play Pete's way - let's get it done.

#3 Stop The Run

One way for the Seahawk's defense (which looks to me like they're just a few ticks away from becoming LOB 2.0) to improve in stopping the run, is to keep them off the field by increasing our own time of possession. That said, there are moments when the Hawks' defense is porous, and giant gaps appear right up the middle. Too many tackles made 8 yards down the field.

A pass rush, tight coverage, and beef in the middle will get the Commanders offense doing the 3-and-out two-step and get our defense off the field. But, hasn't Bobby Wagner been magnificent this year? So good to have him back. He makes everyone around him better and he hasn't lost a step.

#4 Big Play Takeaways - Don't Turn the Ball Over

The Hawks in their best years always had a league-leading takeaway ratio. We need that now. Don't turn the ball over, period. Do force fumbles but don't attempt to knock the ball out of hands at the expense of not making tackles. We've seen this too many times this season. You have arms - use them.

Turnovers change the complexion of a game. Be aggressive, but hang onto the rock.

#5 Penalties - STOP IT!

The Seahawks aren't the worst in the league this season, but 56 penalties for 459 yards through 9 games is way too much.

Most penalties can be avoided and are the result of foolish carelessness, often coming at a pivotal point in the game. The stupid, petulant shoves that we've seen by DK this year come to mind, as easily avoidable. Do better.

Where to Listen and Watch The Seahawks

Tune in to hear the Seattle Seahawks on Newstalk 1280 & 101.3 KIT this Sunday. Pre-game is at 11 am, kickoff at 1:25 pm.

The game will be televised on FOX.