This is a guest article by Curtis Allen
NOTE — I am hosting the BBC’s national radio coverage of the Seahawks game in LA today. You can listen online by clicking here.
After the game tune into the instant reaction live stream which will be available on here and on our YouTube channel
The Chargers currently sit at 4-2 and are undeniably talented. They have the most valuable roster piece of all – a franchise quarterback on a rookie salary – and some big pieces on defense.
This year, though, they have been the living embodiment of the “live by the sword, die by the sword” nature of this NFL season. Most of their games have featured very slim margins, with a singular play or two making the difference.
They lost a close one to Kansas City in a game that included Justin Herbert throwing a backbreaking 99-yard pick six in the fourth quarter.
They beat Cleveland by the skin of their teeth when the Browns’ kicker missed a 54-yard field goal try with moments to play. Jacoby Brissett also had a very poorly thrown interception late in the game in the red zone.
Their most recent win came in overtime and featured a muffed punt by the Broncos that sealed the game.
That does not mean their record is inflated. I am just pointing out that for a team that has very high expectations for this season, they have been playing close to the razor’s edge. That is a good thing for the Seahawks.
Still, this game will require Seattle to be sharp in all phases – including the coaching staff to prepare a proper game plan in order to put their players in the best position for success – if they want to come away with a victory.
The Rookie Class Will Need Both Great Individual Efforts and Team Support
This group has exceeded all expectations so far this season and has been a massive boost to the team and their future team building plans. This game will be their biggest test yet. Why?
Practically everywhere you look at this Chargers team, there are very accomplished players that will match up against a Seahawks rookie.
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will line up across Tariq Woolen and potentially Coby Bryant.
Khalil Mack will be trying to get past Abe Lucas and Charles Cross (more on that below).
Those are tough assignments for anyone, let alone players with only six games of NFL experience. No doubt the coaching staff will not put them all on islands and ask them to consistently win every snap.
The pass rush and Quandre Diggs will need effective games to keep these great receivers from tilting the field.
The tight ends and running backs will be needed to chip and block the rushers and Shane Waldron will need a balanced attack with a steady diet of runs and quick passes to maximize Geno Smith’s effectiveness.
Darrell Taylor, Uchenna Nwosu and the interior players will need to be effective in their assignments.
At the end of the day though, there will be several plays Sunday where a rookie player will be one-on-one with a very talented Charger. Holding them to a draw would be a big, big victory for the team.
For their long-term development, sure some mistakes and losses would provide some great teaching moments for the players and the coaching staff. In this game though, there is quite a large burden being put on the rookies’ shoulders. How they respond will have a lot to say about the outcome of this game.
There is one more rookie we have not yet discussed that should also figure very prominently on Sunday…
Feature the Run Game and Do Not Abandon It
Some fun with numbers…
The Chargers had the #30 run defense last year, conceding 139 yards per game and they gave up a league-worst 144 rushing first downs.
This year they have risen to #23 in the NFL at 125 yards per game and incredibly, are on pace to concede only 77 rushing first downs. So, in this one area they would flip their position from league-worst to league-best.
The numbers would suggest the Chargers have made a serious improvement in run defense.
Don’t believe them. They are lying to you. The Chargers are still one of the NFL’s worst run defenses again this season.
What is the real story? The Chargers are giving up an awful 5.6 yards per carry, worst in the NFL except for the Giants by a slim margin. Why so few first down runs then?
The Chargers have only faced 22.5 rushing attempts per game this year, good for 27th in the league. Teams are running very well on them, just not very often. This is a serious weakness the Seahawks are primed to exploit.
Why are teams not pounding the rock on Los Angeles? I am not sure. They do have a good number of tackles for loss, which might be concerning to play callers.
One thing I am sure of: It is not because the Chargers have such a dynamic offense that they run up the score early and teams are being forced to abandon their running game to catch up.
The Charger defense has taken the field with a lead on 49% of their snaps. Compare that to the #28-32 teams in terms of fewest rushing attempts faced: their defenses have been on the field with a lead a whopping 66% of the time.
What does facing a low number of attempts and conceding a high average per carry mean? They are allowing some really explosive runs.
Look at this chart of their opponents’ successes running the ball so far this season:
Twelve explosive runs and four of them more than triple the 12-yard threshold for an explosive run. And the efficiency – my goodness, these runners are just gashing the Chargers in a relatively small number of carries.
Is there one specific direction runners are making these big gains? No. Look at the two right columns – they are happening both inside and outside the box, and are attacking the left side, the right side and the middle.
So, what is happening with the Charger defense that is causing so many big runs? One big factor is they are running a defense very similar to what Head Coach Brandon Staley ran with the Rams as defensive coordinator. On the defensive line, the interior players have a ‘gap and a half’ responsibility. In short, it means the defender is tasked with engaging the guard or center, reading the runner and the gap and then coming off his man and making the tackle.
It works brilliantly when you have Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. Not so much when you do not have players of their caliber. Thus, the Chargers can be exploited with a heavy package of blockers.
That is exactly what is happening. Looking at those explosive runs on tape, there was a common thread in the vast majority of them: the offense employed a power formation at the line of scrimmage. All of Nick Chubb’s runs had at least six on the line. One had seven. One had eight!
Look at Dameon Pierce’s 75-yard run.
You have six on the line, Nico Collins is off the line but crashing in to help on the edge (that’s seven) and Fullback Troy Hairston is leading Pierce through the hole and taking Derwin James out of the play.
Did you notice that Pierce was never even touched? On a 75-yard run. Runs do not get any easier than that.
The Seahawks have a running back ready to explode in Ken Walker. Last week against the Cardinals he had four explosive runs. Alright, fine. He only had three. I rounded up. His 11-yard run counts as explosive in my mind because he wasn’t stopped by a tackler but the goal line. And that little okie-doke move he gave Byron Murphy at the end was sweet.
The point being, running with a power formation should be a regular feature of Seattle’s offense on Sunday. The have the means, motive and opportunity.
Other teams so far have just flirted with it. They get their explosives and then check out of the runs and go to the passing game. So odd.
Just to be clear, I am not stumping for the Seahawks to run 35 or 40 times on Sunday. Just make sure you do not shy away from running, even if it does not produce amazing results immediately. We have seen rock-solid evidence that it will come if you stick to it.
Having a stacked offensive line and running a lot will also assist you greatly in keeping the strongest area of their defense in check…
Do Not Allow Khalil Mack to Disrupt the Entire Offense
Let’s not mince words. The Seahawks are countering maybe the NFL’s best pass-rusher on Sunday with bookend rookie tackles who had a really challenging day last week against Arizona.
Charles Cross (59 PFF Sunday) and Abe Lucas (61) facing off against J.J. Watt and Marcus Golden last week was just a warmup for this weekend.
They will be taking the point on keeping him in check and they will need to bring their A-game Sunday for the offense to function as it wants to.
Mack is having a tremendous season. While league talking heads are not unjustifiably focusing a lot of attention on the Russell Wilson trade as a huge win for Seattle, the Chargers must be over the moon with their trade for Mack. For only a second-round pick this year and a sixth-round pick next year, they have an 86.9-graded PFF player on the field for 85% of their defensive snaps who has collected six sacks, seven tackles for loss and forced a fumble.
Oh, and they are paying him only $8.75 million this year. And they have him under contract for the next two years with little to no guarantees. That is what you call a steal of a deal right there.
But back to the game Sunday. The Chargers line Mack up against both tackles, so they will both need to be ready.
There are several things the Seahawks can do to help mitigate the effect that these two players will have on the offense:
-Run the ball consistently.
-The tight ends will be a critical piece for this game. From just straight up helping the tackles in a standard blocking formation, to chipping and then releasing and getting open for a quick timed pass, to using them in a fullback/H-back type position to lead the runner through holes.
-Geno Smith will need to be even quicker with his processing. There will be plays the Seahawks do not max-protect and he will have to know that sooner rather than later the rush is coming. He will need to decide to throw or scramble at a faster pace. Typically, this year he has been fine in this area but he regressed Sunday against Arizona a bit and that led to him being sacked six times — as Pete Carroll has acknowledged.
-The running backs will need to stand ready to pick up rushers. The Chargers blitzed 24 times last week against Denver. The backs will need to give more than a token effort to pick them up and give Geno that extra half-second he needs to make his throw.
All those are great ways they can help. But as I said above, at the end of the day Cross and Lucas will still face Mack or a blitzer one on one at times. It is just a numbers game. You cannot double-team him and a blitzer on every single play. How they do in these matchups will be crucial.
One thing that will provide incentive for them to play well – the Chargers are not just giving up explosive run plays. They have been burned several times in the deep passing game. Big acquisition J.C. Jackson is struggling with a new scheme and his health to the point that he got benched Sunday. They have claimed that he will start Sunday. At this point, what looked like an offseason area of strength is now looking like a real vulnerability.
One of the reasons Los Angeles is struggling with deep passes: Staley misses Jalen Ramsey just as much as he misses Aaron Donald. He literally had Ramsey on an island and flooded coverage on the other side of the field. You look very, very good as a defensive coordinator with a player who can take half the field away.
Staley does not have that advantage anymore. In fact, his corners have been beaten with regularity.
And those nine blitzes per game I mentioned up above? They open the middle up and put pressure on the backfield to consistently win one-on-one, which they have yet to do to the degree they need to. So, if the blitzer does not get home or otherwise effect the play, the defensive backs are vulnerable. And they will be more so if they are trying to cover D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
The Seahawks should be able to take advantage of this. If – and this is a big if – their blockers can provide the quarterback enough time to make his reads and throws.
Special Teams, Please Do Not Do Anything Stupid
This point is self-explanatory. Two weeks in a row we have seen a punt go horribly awry and both resulted in touchdowns for the other team.
In the Saints loss, the margin of victory was seven points.
In the Cardinals win, the Seahawks were able to shrug it off because they won comfortably and the defense had an uncharacteristically great day holding the offense out of the end zone with some assistance from a wonky Cardinal offense.
The Chargers are more talented than those two teams, and the Seahawks defense is still fragile. Barring some strange collapse by the Chargers, a best-case scenario is this game will be another close matchup. Another blunder could make the difference like it did in the New Orleans game.
Special Teams has always been a source of pride for Pete Carroll. When he spoke earlier this week about the mistakes driving them crazy, I believe him. Look for the Seahawks to right the ship this week.
They better – they will need to be very effective to beat the Chargers.
Outstanding as always cha. Thank you. Great piece on why the Hawks need to run the football today first and foremost.
and stick with the run game, let it develop.
Great write up curtis.
Thanks guys 👍
This guy continues to be dynamite.
https://twitter.com/TheDraftNetwork/status/1583924859578777601
So does this guy, https://seahawksdraftblog.com/curtis-allens-week-seven-watchpoints-vs-la-chargers#comments
thx cha!
You’re very welcome
😂
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1584012804553838594
I’m seriously hoping this was LJ Collier and Jamal Adams:
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/10/23/panthers-reportedly-turned-down-two-first-round-picks-for-brian-burns/
I would offer “three first round picks” and include Rashaad Penny.
I think someone should replace PCs Cellphone with a Garage Door Opener until after the Trade Deadline in 11/1. I would be ok with trading Seahawks Players for picks, but he doesn’t need to buy anything with the surplus picks.
💯
https://youtu.be/_PcvXii08Tw
I know the “Simpsons did it” 🙂
Thanks for this write up CHA.
Sidney Jones?
Another great summary Cha.
I feel if the Seahawks can continue to get better at Peteball – run the ball, protect the ball, bend-not-break defsense – not only do they have a chance to win today, but coming out of it you’ll have a young, confident group heading into the second half of the season.
And that could be alot of fun to watch.
Thanks for reading
As interesting as always, cha, thank you.
I think we should go mean and hit Herbert as hard as we can. He’ll panic and their O will go down. And we shouldn’t get cute, throw in a lot of multiple TEs, protect Lockett and run the ball with Walker, Dallas and also Eskridge and Metcalf.
Would be incredible!
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/10/23/broncos-could-be-sellers-at-the-trade-deadline/
We need Cleveland, New Orleans and Vegas to all start winning some games.
We’d have a legit shot at Levis if we start with the 4th pick. Alternatively, it wouldn’t cost multiple picks to get Richardson. Or we could trade down for an extra R2
need indy to win some more games as well
I think it’s increasingly likely Levis goes first
The projection is so easy with him
I agree completely. At this point in the season we know who’s out there and I don’t see anyone, Will Anderson included, who rates higher. Let alone for a QB-desperate team like Carolina, Detroit or Houston.
So if we have pick #4 through Denver, and our native pick is in the 15-20 range, what else would it take to move up 3 spots to #1?
Certainly our 2023 R1. Probably also our earlier 2022 R2 from Denver.
4, 15-20, 34, 2023 R1 — would that be enough?
Not advocating for it, just looking for a possible cost.
Heinike ? Nah. Add the Commanders to the list
Forgot about Wentz though
Tranquill had a really nice game vs Denver. Dude has some wheels. I’d watch out for him in the pass rush with Mack getting most of the attention.
But like you say cha, explosive runs should keep the Chargers’ defense on their heels. Other than Mack and Joseph-Day, their DL isn’t much.
Inactive:
Penny Hart
Artie Burns
Sidney Jones
Gabe Jackson
Teez Tabor
Lockett active as Pete said he would likely be.
Seeing Jones and Jackson has me hoping for trades… 🤷🏻♂️
Don’t want to speak too soon, but it certainly looks like Rodgers, Brady, Stafford will be fading from the scene in the coming years. If the Seahawks can nail down the QB spot (be it Geno or someone else) with someone better than Hurts or whoever the 49ers give the keys to, they could be in a really good place in the NFC.
Panthers just took over on downs as they lead Tampa Bay 21-3 with 7 mins left in the game 😮
I just was gonna come in and ask the question, have they quit on Brady? Maybe they’re just sick of him going to an opposing team’s owner’s wedding and missing a bunch of training camp and all that kind of crap. Or is it cuz he pushed Arians aside as coach…er, Arians stepped down?
Todd Bowles. Arians is a special advisor I think. As interesting to me is Carolina exercising CMC demons? They have like 150 rushing yards in the second half alone against a good run defense.
Game over. Bucs run into kicker and give the ball back to Carolina with 3:30 remaining
This season is going to be a real down way for Brady to go out
I mean first he was out before he was in. So…
I dunno what he expected. Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay surprise me more.
Me too
Browns have a chance vs Ravens down by 3 with 2:30 left
Packers losing to Washington by 6 and they just turned the ball over at the Washington 30. Long. A lot of time left but Rogers is not Rogers
Ravens block Browns 60 yard FG attempt. Take back possession and hold a 3 point lead with 2 minutes left
Commanders now up 9
6:40 to go
Right before the FG Brissett somehow got away from Justin Houston and a certain sack and made for the sideline but Odafe Oweh ran his arse down before he could get there.
Wow Rodgers to Jones what a pass and catch
Great improv
Anyone else blocked from listening to Rob from the USA?
I haven’t tried yet. Will do so on my laptop and let you know here in a second
Page I got said that the program will be available shortly after broadcast? Not what we’re looking for I would guess
Went to my phone and got something that said listen live and now it says the same on my laptop
Aaaaand I click on it and it says this content is not available in my location so yes apparently we are blocked
Same here and I’m in Europe.
Yes but I had to use a UK server for my vpn and I had to register with BBC using a UK zip code but it works and I’m listening to Rob and Mike right now!
Aaaaaaand Blitzy shows us he’s a computer wizard while someone like me reads this and says “huh?”. 😀
Eh it’s a fughesi now it’s just the Fox announcers I don’t know if Rob is still broadcasting or how to find him
Seahawks are 4.5 point underdogs!
Oh Geno, no.
How the hell does Mafe miss the fumble recovery?
Why the hell does Pete think this is incomplete?
Pete is getting his useless challenge out of the way early today.
In todays NFL that, to me, looked incomplete. But challenge? separate matter.
Why the hell are we surprised that Pete would burn a challenge?
House Lanninster” “A Lannister always pays his debts.”
House Stark: “Winter is coming…the North remembers.”
House Carroll: “Always pitching the red banner.”
House Staton: “Bullocks! Shambolic dog’s dinner!”
Pete has to be the worst at challenges
He’s admitted that he often challenges, even when he knows he’ll lose.
Eckler didn’t get it excellent defensive stand!
Nice stop on 4th, D. All things being equal, I’d rather have the challenge back.
Wow! Game of inches
Great stop D! That’s a 3-pt win at least.
Nice to have improved version of Brooks back and Al Woods returning on the pitch.
Solid stand there… I swear every time Pete challenges a call, it gets called STANDS every single time.
I would like to see more of the 3 t.e set going forward. Run the damn ball!
What’s Waldron have against running the ball?
Just came in to ask the same
I don’t get running it on 3rd and long, maybe it’s just me.
Passing to set up the run 😂
Shaping up to be an ugly slog of a game…
Lockett is the best at selling PI.
There we go. Lots of this.
Nice block by Colby Parkinson
Not bad with the pass pro so far
Walker is so nimble on his feet. Love watching him process and attacking an opening
He trusts in that so much… it ends up in a lot of negative plays, too.
Two plays after I post that, he loses 4 yards. 🤦♂️
He reminds me a lot of Barry Sanders.
Lots of amazing moves and runs, but you take the inevitable 3 yard losses with them.
I’ve been tryin really hard to not say Barry Sanders, but some o that is there
That was very typical of Barry Sanders too…
funny. just posted that as well!
Nice improv by Geno but I despise empty on 3rd ans 1
The interior of our oline gives up so much penetration in the run game
Blythe gets tossed around quite a bit.
Our guards should be able to get some push, though
Haynes came around and completely handled Mack on that long Walker hesitation run though.
Jackson wouldn’t have gotten over in time.
GREAT throw!
Geno Smith just as cool as the other side of the pillow
Wow
Yes good throw and catch! Good game!
Geno is finna to price himself out of our ability to sign him at a reasonable contract. It’s pretty incredible.
I feel without Russell we play a more organized and cohesive fun game plan. Even if Geno is less talented than Russell the offense as whole, TE, RB, WR and even the line just play better.
lets go D!
nice hands on that zinger
Ryan Neal with the INT!
“Tough break for Justin Herbert” ???
What game are you watching, color guy?
That was a poor decision plain and simple.
Adams doesn’t pick that off, 11 out of 10 times.
Best in the nation
*at taking what should be interceptions off his face mask
this hawks offense is fun
geno throws it all over the field. walker looking like a star in the making.
who are these guys??
Someone explain me, why do we pay Jamal Adams?
Because we grossly over paid for him in the trade and then had to try to justify keeping them around by giving them a big ass contract. I’m totally fine with Ryan Neal starting next year and us biting the bullet of $7.2 million in dead cap in 23 and 24 by cutting Adams. Ryan Neal will be a restricted free agent and probably cost us around $3 million next season. With Jamal Adams dead cap hit, that would roughly be $10-11M invested in the SS position. Rip the bandaid off
Just re-read overthecap… It would be 3 years of $7.1M dead cap to get rid of Jamal Adams. smh
Anyone want to force him into retirement?
Nice pick Neal!!! Let’s go
As fun as it would have been to see that ball bounce of Adams’ facemask… I love to see Neal making a play on the ball like that.
Wow nice carry for Dallas
What happened to Walker?
Obviously was just resting
Why there he is
Weirdest year I can ever remember in the NFL. I feel like teams are gonna make decisions based on weird stuff and will pay for it the following seasons.
There are literally no great teams. It’s like there are 20 teams that are wholly indistinguishable.
Just so odd to watch.
Like I’m watching this team; and I don’t see a good team – BUT they are playing well. I honestly don’t know how to process this.
I’m sincerely worried people think we are on the cusp and it results in a multi-year setback because we were in fact, not that close.
Nice PBU
But we get rescued by the Chargers’ mistake
ROOKIE!!!! Flex on ‘em!
I love the way Walker runs!
Curt Warner 2.0 man. That cutting ability is 100% Curt. But I see the Laveoan Bell hesitation too.
Wow! Walker is a special special player! His change of direction is incredible!!!
I agree. He’s special.
Wow that rookies exceleration is incredible!
That’s two explosive runs for Walker already.
RUN
THE
BALL
Dallas effective too. Waldron maybe came out throwing early to open up the run?
Maybe Waldron needed a year to fail and grow and also needed his own guy with his blocking scheme too!
7.1 YPC so far
I like this game plan with balanced passing and rushing.
What a start. Just when you start believing that the Chargers might be good they do not fail to disappoint. Geno is looking sharp.
Offense and defense be rollin’!
Yes, I wondered if the defense was just going through growing pains and would “get it ” half way through the season. It’s looking better already.
Mafe in coverage, one on one… not good.
What a draft!
Nice play Tariq!
Taylor!!!
Without the rod in his leg, Taylor gets 6.
B4 he ripped the ball out, he was held.
Darrell Taylor hello my man!
Let’s go baby!
I love it when young players come through
Cmon DK you gotta hold onto those
Metcalf will never be elite until his hands improve
That was less him drop in it and more a great arm punch by Jackson.
Making that play is the final step for DK to be truly elite.
100% agree
You’ll have to wait a long time for that, DK will never have those type of hands
man..this is fun
What have the coaches been feeding the dline? They look like a different group out there.
This game feels like it’s going towards that lions game.
Hopefully d.k has to poop again
DK needs to take another dump, hopefully.
Came here to say the same… you two already beat me to it…
He may need to rethink his pregame meal.
DK back on the “Mud Butt Shuttle.”
Metcalf needing to take a shit again.
Welp… he’s out for the game. Time to use the 3 TEs and run the ball strong
Best quarter of the season.
Shit, it wasn’t the shits
DK actually hurt?
Uh oh…
weird …dk seemed upbeat and smiling on the cart
Yeah, he didn’t seem in pain, or upset at all.
Very odd that he’s ruled out for the whole game already.
Pretty good coverage by Neal
Who needs time outs?
Lol, Neal a similar version to kam chancellor. What a maroon
Yay t/o and clock management!
Chargers seem to be moving Allen away from Woolen’s side
Herbert has figured out the zone coverage!
Need to figure it how to stop ekler
I’m very apprehensive about the trend of this game and half time adjustments by the Chargers
DK down? Time to unleash the Dareke!
Eskridge has been nothing short of terrible, complete bust
For being a first round pick, who is super athletic… Fant sure doesn’t show anything special with the ball.
Eskridge…… oh. Drink.
That will be the last one for the next 5 weeks or so because the last time he was concussed he was out for that long
Oh ffs
So he gets a concussion on top of it?
wonderful.
You have Walker and Dallas running the ball well and their position is running back why do you get cute and put a wide receiver in the backfield?
Because that’s what separates the “genius” offensive coordinators with the run of the mill ones.
Eskridge got Macked! Youch
Things were going too wellnwith a 17-0 1st Quarter. Eskridge fumble then he gets hurt. DK is out with a bum knee…
That might be game over for dee. Hope he’s OK, but guy can’t go 3 games without being hurt. He’s like prosise.
Agree
My guess he misses a minimum of 3 games
Why? Just why? We’re up 10 don’t get cute. Use your actual running backs who are getting 5+ a touch
just an awful play by eskridge. no excuse for that
Is terrible idea for putting him in the backfield in the 1st place
im gonna blame the player who fumbled a two foot toss w out being hit. waldron has called a good game in general
Al woods is a beast.
Seahawks need a receiver like Mike Williams.
We have a more athletic version that can’t catch though
He caught a paycheck and scored!!!!
Wow, Diggs actually making an effort.
Damn is that digs 1st solo tackle of year
Those 7 points are on Shane Waldron
Yeah, I don’t get the force-feeding of Eskridge. Even when he takes kicks or gets a reception, I’ve seen nothing to make me think he will do much as a runner.
Not really enthused about a turnover battle.
Yup lions game 2.0
Defenses look trash, aside from turnovers
Feeling like the air’s been let out. If we can’t take this next series down the field, not looking good.
Total momentum shift after the dk td drop.
So Waldron is oh for 2 on getting cute this year. Remember the halfback pass that didn’t work earlier this year? You know for a coach that preaches basic football Pete allows way too much of this crap.
Barton is so bad. Hand fighting a WR instead of turning around and Mike Williams runs right behind his back.
Oh what a novel idea use your running back to run the football
It’s really good to see him back on the field. Glad I was wrong
Agreed
It would be nice if walker could as least to the l.o.s without making a man miss
This rb is better at rb than the wr at rb. genius stuff.
Dee only doing bad things today.
Terrible call on Eskridge. He’s not allowed to block his man?
And Eskridge kills another drive.
Jesus, stop shooting yourselves
Blount, what the hell were you thinking.
Idiot.
No freeform jazz from Dickson…. but ST f*cks it up anyways.
More bad not special teams
The stupid mistakes are killing us
How about you sit the next few plays out Dee.
all that early momentum gone. mistakes after mistakes.
Sadly true
Yes, I’m surprised they brought him back this fast. At least wait till the second half.
There’s gonna be a lot of medical questions on Monday Morning.
Who worse the hawks defense or the kraken goalie?
Breece Hall went down with a knee injury. Here’s where Walker make his bid for ROY…
That’s the way. Nice, hard nosed defensive stop.
Good job on the tackle Mr. Bryant
We needed that to stop the momentum swing
💯
really nice stand for the D there.
Would be nice to have a few TE seam routes.
Really could use some points on this drive. They get the ball to start the 2nd half
I want Dareke!! The people demand it!
There we go. Mix in those TEs.
OK I’ll give the design on that as being excellent by Waldron
we really do look like a more modern nfl offense these days. the misdirection is getting guys open.
Russ must have hated throwing to the t.e’s because they are a huge part of our offense now
Eskridge is feeling scrappy! Love seeing the tight ends get involved more , they are stepping up now that they are needed.
this gsme is just screaming for him to step up.
we’ll see ….
Eskridge has bulked up a bit since last year
Yes! God I love it when we use the TE and get them involved and the quick passing game is great too.
GOODWIN. GOODWIN. GOODWIN.
Whomever decided that Gronkowski was charming or funny should be sacked.
Wow! Goodwin with some hops
Damn, way to step up goodwin
Goodwin! And Geno with the DIME!
Geno making magic all over the field today
what a gorgeous throw and catch
i’d thought goodwin was cooked career-wise, glad to be wrong!
I simply cannot believe what we’re seeing from Geno right now. Incredible.
And for the 7th game in a row, I will say it: Geno getting to the line with at least 15 seconds on the play clock is SOOOOOO refreshing.
totally agree. gives him time to adjust at the line too.
Geno gets to the line, sets, makes his pre snap reads, backs off, and STILL has plenty of time.
So nice.
Totally agree, Roy! I used to think that all those delays and last second snaps to beat the play clock were due to the coaches being late with getting the plays to Russ but now, I’m thinking that for whatever reason, those delays were mostly on Russ.
Perfect ball placement by Geno incredible catch by Goodwin
Goodwin playing like a guy who should be getting more opportunities.
Noncontact injury. That’s probably not good
Definitely hate seeing that… That guy was brought in to make a huge upgrade to that secondary. If it’s serious, rooting for a speedy recovery
Yes Goodwin is having a great day and Geno is showing he can make all the throws.
About the only thing I haven’t seen the Seahawks offense pull off this year is a good screen play. But they haven’t needed to with the running back counters in other games.
Jeeze they started talking about a players knee and I thought it was a Seahawks for a moment. Not that I wish anyone an injury but at least make it a charger player.
I would love to see a play action screen with Walker getting the catch up the middle and two linemen out front.
Carnage would ensue.
Offensive line doing a good job in pass protection so far. It also helps to have a qb who gets the ball out on time.
Wow, his ACL must have just popped.
That sucks.
That sucks for him. You could tell season is over based on his reactions.
Non-contact, too.
Brutal.
😞
nice bat down poona the big tuna
Such a blatant hold on Poona, as well.
Not sure how they didnt see that.
I certainly don’t hope to be proven wrong but Herbert must still be hurting from those ribs.
Yeah that 3rd down pass was on him no matter what Sanchez said
Sanchez has been brutal today.
Too kind on Herbert.
He actually said Geno has “quick twitch” and is an “effortless runner.” Hyperbole much?
This game is gonna have a wild finish
All in all a nice half of football from Seattle
Yeah, it’s all over the board, yet still entertaining.
Interesting first half – it would be nice to get out of this game without any more injuries – on both sides.
Ummmm, sadly that doesn’t look like the case
Watching this offense after the last few years. RW looks more and more like the issue. Its just crazy to see geno do this well. He’s not elite, but he is really controlling the offense.
SEA 17:16 pass:run
LA 25:9 pass:run
I remember PFF doing drat grades and them lamenting Walker as a terrible pick, F- type f pick. It is the effective running game that is the difference in the first half of this game. Sure, all sorts of stuff ll over the place, but in the end the 4.6 yd/carry on 16 carries (5 rushing first downs and a TD) is the difference.
God I did love watching Rodgers stare into the abyss and realize his team sucks earlier today.
I’d add mad/frustrated Tom brady to that also.
FWIW Dr Chao thinks JC Jackson has ruptured Patella and DK isn’t that bad.
https://twitter.com/ProFootballDoc/status/1584306843534311424?cxt=HHwWgICqgcSry_wrAAAA
Sad for JC
Happy for DK
All the talk of Pete holding Russ back turned out to be not true. In fact Pete seems to get the best out of qb’s
His reply to a reporters question about Geno says everything about Russ, too.
“He does what you tell him.”
Bellore out cold.
Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but speculation DK has done his ACL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyV5_HT0v6Y
Injuries got me more interested in just getting thru this game. Guys are getting destroyed everywhere.
Cody Barton has no instincts
He just stincts.
A Brooks whiff. Drink.
🍺
Brooks takes…… an angle.
JFC Cody Barton is utterly inept
He was there to confirm that a play was run
Clearly holding when our defensive line rushes. Call if ref!
So not calling the face mask balances that out I’ll take it
Oh, Nwosu wanted that one BAAAAD.
Ooooooh. Really lucky they missed the facemask…
I hate to speak so soon, but our defense is starting to look competent
Pass rush is definitely getting there. Corners look pretty good too. We’re weak in between though and it shows.
feels so good to see them figuring out ways to get pressure on the quarterback. realky changes everything.
Now offensive line, could you please block a little for Walker
Dissly earning every bit of his contract
Walker!!!! Another explosive!
Remember that whole thing about drafting a RB high this offseason?
So silly.
VERY special
he looks fantastic
Patience, vision and speed.
Yes, please.
When walker gets in space I always stand up
Do you find yourself getting giddy and jumping around? 🤣
Nice timing on these runs. Just grind the Chargers defense down in this 3rd quarter.
Yes = amazing how a good draft or two changes things. Get people that are hungry for their wins.
You and rob and other people need to remind Hawks twatter about their stance on the draft pick. I don’t do twatter
Which player does twatter not like?
I kind of feel like Pete Carroll is blessed with the ability to pull a quarterback out of his yoo hoo. His best trait for sure.
I’ve ripped Evan hill on his take
Walker giving Mack the business is so sexy…
Walker is FEARLESS. TOLD Mack to get lost. Lol
thats a crazy call
Is absolute shit officiating
On several levels
What a bollux call
False start on Blythe… WTH???
Curhan is in at RG with Haynes having to leave the field
Geno with a laser. He
Did my favorite team, the refs take over in 2nd half?! Such a big ref fan
lets goo hawks!
geno just playing lights out
An absolutely shit call. They blew it dead and shouldn’t have and they knew it so they had to call it on the seahawks
Yep.
And then forgot to reset the clock and didnt own it
Could have just said there’s no foul on the play and moved on. Don’t have to call anything. Stupid though…
Nfl officiating is outta control
Geno Ice
Oh man that’s a good catch. Wow
Between the phantom false start, pulling Haynes from the field and making the Hawks take a TO due to not resetting the play clock, these refs can eat many bags of d*cks…
Geno is fired up
Geno finding himself some #16
Walkers first, patient cut is sick.
I’m here for fired up geno.
Hmmm He only gets 5 yards for that dirty low block?
These officials are an absolute joke
Hahaha, in case of emergency, break glass and grab the Lockett.
Under pressure!
Lockett catches footballs
man, right past curhan
The Joey Hunt Special
Like a doorway to hell
If this offense could actually actually be effective in the red zone, we’d really have something special.
Still a good drive because we started that at our own 5 yd line and ate up a whole bunch of clock.
Yep…excellent drive.
Especially considering the ref screw ups
Welp they’re gonna hold us to 3 points.
But that drive ate up about 8 or 9 minutes.
Yes i’m impressed by the clock control.
this is the worst officiating I have seen in a long time. And I watch the pac 12 games as well
A sky judge could fix a lot of this but they won’t do it. Is it cause they want to steer games a certain way?
I like that he declined it 3rd and long don’t give him an extra down
Didn’t do any good. Didn’t get to Herbert in time
Did Brooks knock his fellow defender off of the Everett tackle?
I like the score but feel like the Chargers have momentum.
Geno has to play to win and not just to hold a lead.
I still see 20 total points coming in 4th lol
Look at that coverage by a guy playing his 7th NFL game who isn’t even a converted WR
he is the truth
* is a converted WR
everett giveth, everett taketh away. a story we know well.
Tariq Woolen is good! Like real good!
Dropped pass? THAT’S the Gerald Everett I remember.
everett giveth, and everett taketh away
He giveth…and then taketh away
Jinx
ha!
Two great defensive stops! But the goddess of football is fickle and we end up with the ball on our 2 yard line!
Through three quarters this defense has given up 22 yards rushing.
On like 6 carries
12
I’d be happy with 2 or 3 1st Downs here
Nice block Blythe
Nice run blocking, OL…. 🤦🏽
Wow! That was not the right play to call on the 2 yard line!
No need to draft a good center though
They don’t have enough cap so they better keep drafting offensive linemen.
dammit….huge play
That punt was needed
J-E-T-S
JETS !!! JETS !!! JETS !!!
Almost every inside run has a defender in the backfield
Our run blocking is pretty bad…especially in obvious running situations
I hope Myles Adams gets some PFF love. He’s had 2 or 3 good plays today.
man, way to go seahawks defense
Why is the clock still running if Herbert ran out of bounds?
The clock restarts once the refs mark the spot if it’s more than 5 mins out from game/half end.
Oh. Thx
I like how close the defenders have gotten = how quick they are to tackle or jump for the ball.
Defense stepping the f— up
Herbert is not even throwing at Woolen. When was the last time a team avoided a rookie with 6 starts.
Hey he gave up one catch today
😄
That play where he was illegally picked?
Or the one where he had his hand on the pass and Mike Williams somehow made an incredible catch…
That’s the one I didn’t say it was illegal play😄
Hey, if Geno gets a win today, he’ll have done something Russell Wilson never has: beat the Chargers.
House Wilson: “Riding the wind like a prairie hawk, across the plains, to the mountain pine.”
Nice defensive stand there. We need to eat some Clock and make up those two points we lost on that safety. We need to put up at least a FG here
Another Explosive for Walker!
With an assist from Lucas
Lucas just exploded on that run play. This rookie class looks incredible
Oh yeah Walker!
He got tackled mid cut that’s why he was blown back so far
Damn I love me some Walker and our rookie tackles!
Did you know that the only time the Pro Football Writer’s Association named a pair of offensive tackles on the same team to the All-Rooke Team was in 1982?
St. Louis Cardinals Luis Sharpe and Tootie Robbins.
The last time we played Khalil Mack was against the Bears 4 years ago. He took over the game. He’s barely had a mention tonight.
This team is starting to look legit
It’s raining flags hallelujah!
If Louis makes the block there this a really big play
Lewis
Do we have to throw a challenge flag on that I guess not. They actually got one right
Real poor throw by Geno got away with one
Jason Myers has been pretty solid so far this year.
NO JINX!!!
Asante Samuel goes full sturm und drang there.
My butt clinched up on that throw
Poor throw. You throw it to the sideline where “my guy gets it or no one does”
He threw it at the WR’s back hip.
Samuel shouldn’t have even been able to get a hand on it.
Geno has played really well, but he’s thrown 2-3 balls a game that should be picks and the other team just doesn’t finish it. Again, he’s played really well + some great luck to boot.
Pete ball game today.
I was thinking that too. Pete ball the way he wanted to play it.
Jason Myers flexing at the Charger sideline = LOL
Went a lil Kirk Cousins
YOU LIKE THAT?!?!
Broncos lose!!!
Shweeeeeeeet!
Okay, maybe not. They reversed the interception.
Jackson did his best Jamal impression
Not nearly enough facemask in the bounce.
Are we letting Norton guest DC for this drive? What the hell is happening?
Damn you Mike Jackson!!!
I’ve never seen a 6’6” QB have so many batted balls. Herbert is so gifted but he just doesn’t have that mojo that Burrow has. I think that’s what separates them.
Is Herbert like 5’6″? Why all the batted balls?
Yes Jackson isn’t going to make it if he can’t make some interceptions.
QJEFF!!!
Lol…i read that differently at first glance
Coverage sack
I like the sound of that.
Uh oh. If Nwosu is badly hurt, our odds of trading for a replacement go up drastically.
I hope that’s a cramp and not a strain…
That doesn’t look good for Nwosu
Whew… looks like we dodged a bullet there
Broncos lose!
Getting a top 5 pick from them would be so sweet
Both teams must be exhausted. They are getting so many injuries.
We need to quit hurting the chargers so they can beat the broncos next time they play them
what a great game for this defense.
one short field td, and one other score all game. tons of key stops.
are we becoming a playoff team?
I would have never dreamed it was possible but it’s looking like we at least have a good chance
Hard fought game, couple teams that came to play.
Walker!!!
WALKER ROOKIE OF THE YEAR DANCE PARTY!
This draft sucked.
Oh yes Walker – he is awesome.
“WITNESS ME!!!!” – Ken Walker III
Walker with the DAGGER!!!
Keep seeing thing, KWIII kills it on the right side.
you aint catching that dude!!!!!
Cha gotta be feeling vindicated with K9 getting all them yards and TDs lol
https://youtu.be/xSTN3mHEAOA
Carry that W king
Complete domination on the road today. This looks like a playoff team. Impressive defensive effort. I am in shock!
I swear Cody Barton is a live action Madden glitch.
He did have a clean open field tackle .. on a receiver already on the ground.
SEA! HAWKS!
Cheers blog – according to my preseason prediction, Seattle won’t win another game 🍻🍻🍻
I had them at 5 so I still have room 😉
Happy to eat crow
Neal has been ballin out today.
Please someone go on seahawks Twitter and remind those idiots that they thought the draft choice of Walker was a poor choice at that point in the draft
Said it after the first half, folks at PFF were touting it as an idiotic 1980s pick.
Hot take here.
Walker kid looks pretty decent.
Answer more shit officiating the receiver ducked into the tackle
100%
One defender had an angle on walker and that evaporated real quick
Another crap call. I get the rule but the WR initiated the helmet to helmet
Yep he ducked into the tackle
I suppose because they hadn’t made a call in 3 plays they had to throw a flag
I remember a bunch of Hawks Twitter whining like crazy when the Hawks took Walker and not Malik Willis.
Last years draft is looking like one for the ages.
Pete, will you please put DJ Dallas in the game when we get the ball back and let Walker not get injured
Ryan Neal has been effectively busy today
Haven’t felt like anything’s missing at that position
Halfway decent coverage by Mafe, with an assist from Bryant
Nwosu delivers an order of Herberts barbacue ribs!
Oh baby! Bryant with the Woolen tip INT!
Nooooooo!
And yet another horse shit call
Thank goodness we are winning comfortably.
Imagine how infuriating these calls would be, otherwise
right? didnt look near to crossing into neutral zone.
refs have done us wrong all game
At least a bunch more time is off the clock.
NFL officiating is worse now than ever. It is unbelievable that a multi billion sport can’t get this figured out and get quality officiating. Gets worse year after year instead of better.
A sky judge takes care of all this kind of horrible officiating. Why won’t the NFL implement it? Because they can’t steer games the way they want to is that it?
I know Ekeler is a beast, but Cody Barton is trash and got destroyed there with that move. No more Barton after this season
Zebras working hard to keep the chargers in this
Hey Big Mike you see that graphic comparing K9 to Curt Warner?
I did not but even watching his film from Michigan state I could see it
Walker and Warner are the only rookie RBs in franchise history with +150 yards and 2 TDs in one game
Nice
Thank you!
I’ve seen a couple really good open-field blocks from Parkinson today
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1584325761170755586
He was mixing it up all game with chippy blocks. He agitated Mack at the end of the game.
Don’t let the free flowing locks of love fool you!
Today’s game is the middling defensive performance we’ve been begging for.
Let the offense be the star. Just bring your lunchpail and hammer rivets all day.
I’d honestly go so far as to say that the defense played pretty dang well today. That last drive aside, they’ve been rock solid.
I am absolutely gobsmacked that after 7 weeks Seattle will be alone atop the NFC West at 4-3
👀
He cuts like Curt but obviously faster
No he’s better than me.
I’m a big enough man to admit it.
You could see it in his strides he was covering so much ground between foot strikes it almost looked fake
Didn’t Tariq get clocked with fastest a couple weeks back?
I think that was in coverage when he ran down a ball carrier just before the goal line
So we have the fastest runs with and without the ball. Nice.
Deejay adding insult to injury. Good night!
Abe Lucas just destroyed his man on that too
I know we on the blog have said all it before, but this draft class from top to bottom is incredible.
I also feel that Waldron’s offense after 7 games has been somewhat vindicated with it’s ability to function at a high level with Geno Smith.
I agree. Got to think Pete has some blessing from god to find quarterbacks. His best ability! Who knows, maybe Lock will be the next find LOL.
I don’t want to create speculation about what Wilson was doing while under center for Waldron, but it just seems like he was playing outside the offensive scheme, principles, and ultimately the game plan (every week).
I mean it was reported that Wilson stormed out when he denied to have any offensive influence over the gameplan against the Cardinals in 2020 (?). Maybe he decided to make play call changes at the line during games?
It’s just interesting to see this offense thrive under Geno Smith, and completely sputter with Wilson in command.
Lucas has had a great game run blocking. The Right side of the OL has been money in the run game.
Lil jump for joy from DJ
That’s how you close out a football game!
Breece Hall looking like a season ender.
Running Backs just get hurt…really sucks
That is really too bad
Please stay healthy Kenneth
This was the first impressive win of the season. D never looked as awful as they’re capable of and the offense put on a clinic. Well done to the players and the schemes this week.
This was a bit of a statement win
When this season started and you looked at the schedule I wonder how many people had a trip to LA to face Herbert and the Chargers on the road as a W? I know I sure as hell didn’t.
Too bad, would have been another one to hang up in the museum from Geno
https://twitter.com/OllieConnolly/status/1584315644547592192
Any guesses on what our record would be this year with Russ?
2-5 if he was totally healthy
I haven’t seen the snap count yet, but Curhan played those last few drives at RG. Something to look at in the future. I know we’ve talked about Waldron converting Tackles to play Guard and Curhan fits the bill (frame-wise and size) to guys that made that transition for the Rams
Isn’t Michael Jackson just someone else’s cast off? I mean he can play. Hes not Woolen but he can play.
Pete can really coach corners
Spot on. The guy is like 25 years old and has been in the league since 2019. He’s bounced around a couple teams and is looking like a DJ Reed-lite
He should spend a half hour a day catching footballs. He was defending and tackling well today.
Well that was a genuine pleasure to watch. Go ‘hawks!
A big win and now the 6th overall pick from Denver!
Crazy to think we didn’t “earn” that #6 pick, but the “QB away” Broncos have.
Their shit show of a coach helps too
Hope they do a mini fire sale at the trade deadline.
Whatever helps…”Just loose baby!”
It appears Pete can get the most out of qbs as well
Can’t forget about Waldron. It’s a nice to see that his offensive scheme has been somewhat vindicated after 7 games.
Remembering when jettisoning PC in favor of Wilson was a discussion? Absurdity.
As you all have probably heard a hundred times today, it is national tight-end day.
I think I will celebrate by watching that scene in Top Gun: Maverick when Jennifer Connelly makes that slow walk to her house and leaves the door open.
Over…and over…and over…