This is a guest article by Curtis Allen. After the game today tune into the instant reaction live stream which will be available on here and on our YouTube channel
When the 2023 schedule was released, most Seahawks fans were intrigued by the first few weeks of the season. After the big opener against their blockbuster trade partner, they had a very manageable stretch to ease their way into the season. Games against a rival they have historically dominated (San Francisco) and two of the worst teams in the NFL (Atlanta and Detroit) had fans thinking they might at least split those first four and get some forward momentum for the tough stretch that followed.
Well, here we sit after two demoralizing losses that featured disastrous defensive performances that Pete Carroll is once again struggling to account for. A 2-2 split would be a welcome sight at this point but what this team needs even more than a win is something to hang their hat on. Some progress fans can see in order to start building some enthusiasm for 2023.
The Seahawks desperately need to put in a better performance Sunday. The state of this defense is deplorable and while the offense is not as bad, they are not equipped to handle the pressure of consistently needing to outscore their opponent in a boat race every week.
And yet, that is exactly what we have to look forward to on Sunday. Both the Lions and the Seahawks have biscuit-dough-soft defenses and some exciting weapons on offense.
The main difference between them? The Lions are badly banged up. Star offensive weapons D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown will not play Sunday. That comes on the heels of losing top safety Tracy Walker for the season as well as a whole random assortment of smaller injuries that other guys are dealing with.
Opportunities like this to play a game against a team without their two primary offensive weapons and one of their top defenders only come once or twice a season. Seattle must take advantage.
Somebody Has to Make a Play on Defense
They really need something tangible they can point to on defense and say they are making progress. Right now, they are near the league bottom in several crucial categories and they need something to build on.
The front four are not even lining up properly. Fully grasping what they are being coached to do seems like a monumental task.
Jordyn Brooks is struggling to have any impact at all. Cody Barton cannot stop keying on the fullback and taking himself right out of the play – watch him do it for the second week in a row.
The safeties are overextended between handling their regular assignments and needing to tackle runners who have not gotten touched by anyone on the front seven.
They are historically bad in run defense. Third downs are being conceded at a 48.56% clip. Costly penalties are extending drives. They have averaged 7 missed tackles per game.
The only way you can play that badly and get away with it is to generate turnovers at a league-best level. They are not doing that.
Enough is enough.
The veterans on this team should be professionally embarrassed that rookies like Boye Mafe and Tariq Woolen – three games into their NFL careers – are having a bigger impact than they are. Uchenna Nwosu is the only veteran addition that is carrying his weight.
Three full games of missed assignments, bad presnap reads and very little impact on the opposition’s game plan is more than enough.
Shelby Harris needs to fill a badly needed role on the defensive line by getting some inside pass rush.
Darrell Taylor must remind the Seahawks why they spent so much draft capital and displayed so much patience in his rookie year rehab.
The defensive linemen cannot keep getting pushed around this badly.
Quandre Diggs needs to start playing like Quandre Diggs.
The Lions have been very effective on offense so far this season. But again, their impact starters are all badly banged up and even their second-level players like Josh Reynolds, D.J. Chark and T.J. Hockensen have appeared on the injury report this week.
Here is the question for the defense. Can they take advantage of a diminished Lions offense, or will we be reading stories Monday morning of how the Lions’ coaching staff still managed to move the ball effectively with their second-stringers?
Another poor defensive performance against this badly handicapped offense will further expose this team and this administration as inept and make the questions grow stronger and louder.
****
That said, how can the Seahawks effectively defend this Lions offense that is scoring 31.7 points per game, good for second in the NFL?
This week, it begins and ends with Jared Goff.
The Lions have put him in a fantastic position to succeed this year. They have an offensive line that is extremely solid, an effective running game and receivers that really challenge a defense.
That takes a lot of the pressure off him to carry the offense. He can operate with a limited schedule because of the support staff all around him.
Let me throw some stats at you. He has been sacked a league-low four times this year. He is being pressured on only 18.5% of his dropbacks — a fantastic number. How?
It is not just the offensive line. He is getting rid of the ball very quickly. He is averaging only 2.3 seconds of pocket time per dropback and as the above numbers are showing, it is not because he is constantly under siege.
Look at this graph (and notice who #2 is)
Their offense is working because they consistently call for Goff to get rid of the ball as soon as he possibly can.
The Lions have found something that works with Jared Goff’s limited abilities. Hand it off to your explosive runners and let them move the ball downfield. Run some play action with designed pass plays that are one-look and throw and let them gain yards after the catch with their athleticism. Take the snap and throw quick slants. The margin of error for him is healthy because they are getting yards from the ball being in other players’ hands.
Well, guess what. With his two favorite playmakers out this week and some others banged up, he is going to have to take more of the burden and that is fantastic news for the Seahawks because at the end of the day, he is still Jared Goff.
Watching him play this year, it is remarkable how much he telegraphs his intentions by not even looking at anyone but his primary target. He practically must throw to his first read for the play to be successful. Anything else is an adventure. On one play in the Washington game in Week Two, his primary read was in triple coverage and Goff still tried to fit it in and nearly got picked off.
Yet incredibly, with that simple of an offense to work with, he is still only throwing at a 58.9% completion rate.
With Swift and St Brown out, the margin for error narrows to an uncomfortable degree.
It will be very interesting to see if the coaching staff keeps the bulk of the plays the same and just plugs in the replacement players, or whether they try to roll out some new plays to catch the defense off guard because they have not studied these replacement players in those plays.
I am guessing it will be the former. Goff is just too limited to get him quickly up to speed on plays with any kind of complication that takes processing power.
If that is the case, the strategy is obvious. Get the corners up on their men. Press them, take away the easy catch and run and make Goff hold onto the ball and think. Safeties and coverage linebackers, read his eyes. I would be comfortable gambling by instructing the defenders to break on his first read and make him pay for his lack of vision.
Make Jared Goff beat you.
Execute on Offense
For all the flaws on defense, if the offense gets just a little bit better, they beat the Falcons on Sunday. A bad penalty here, a communication breakdown there and a poor reaction to halftime adjustments have all added up to keep this offense from truly realizing its potential.
The lack of second-half scoring has been well documented. When the Seahawks were once kings of the halftime adjustment game, they appear to have regressed badly and are getting roundly beaten in this very specific area of game management.
One of the biggest culprits is their tight end production. The Seahawks have finally started to utilize them effectively after years of wasted resources at the position. They have three of the team’s four touchdown catches, something considered unthinkable in recent seasons. However, nearly all their gains have come in the first half of play and they’ve been effectively erased in the second half of the game.
Have a look at the split of their stats as a group through three games:
First Half: 15 catches / 191 yards / 8 first downs / 3 touchdowns
Second Half: 6 catches / 27 yards / 1 first down / 0 touchdowns
That is a serious drop in effectiveness. The other two offensive areas (running game and wide receiver catches) also are showing a decline in the second half but not nearly as sharp as what the tight ends are doing.
The coaching staff must solve this. It would appear that teams are rotating their safeties to cover the tight ends more often in the second half to effectively minimize the athleticism gap between the tight ends and coverage linebackers. It is possible the team could design and utilize some more plays that take advantage of the height and reach of the tight ends to counter this. Perhaps it is as simple as stretching the field with the wide receivers to make the defense a little more pliable and opening up some room underneath.
If they can solve this second-half swoon with the tight ends, they will get more first downs, which means more series, more chances for impact runs and deep shots to the wide receivers and more rest for the defense. The impact of addressing this issue successfully needs to be understood by the coaching staff.
Win In the Running Game
The Lions have been only slightly better in run defense than the Seahawks this year. Where is their defense the weakest? They have been absolutely gashed between the tackles in the run game. Miles Sanders (Week 1) and Dalvin Cook (Week 3) have had tremendous success running inside against this defense this year, combining for 115 yards and five explosive runs on only 10 attempts.
The Lions have not significantly added much to their interior defensive line since the last time the Seahawks faced them in Week 17 last year. That was one of Rashaad Penny’s signature performances. He ran 25 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns. What area of the Lion defense did he attack? Have a look:
Look at all those green 5+ yard runs right up the gut.
It was a fabulous performance. Feel free to watch some highlights of his day. You will see the interior at times giving Penny just enough room to get skinny and at others, just blowing lineman off the line of scrimmage. It was like an express lane to the second level. By the end of the day, Lion free safety Tracy Walker was becoming quite familiar with Penny. Walker had no help from the front seven, as you see him being the lone player to touch Penny more than once. If Penny can come even close to duplicating that performance this week, that will go a long way towards steering the team towards success.
It is also about time that Ken Walker get more involved in the offense. He had a tantalizing run Sunday against the Falcons. He can run inside and be used all kinds of ways outside. A nice homecoming of sorts for him could be in store.
If these two can have the kinds of performances they are able, the offense can control this game and really build some confidence for the next stretch of games.
But as we know, the running game is not all about the backs. The interior of the offensive line has been horrid so far this season. They have made Penny and Walker earn every single yard when they run inside the tackles. Nothing has come easy for them.
The PFF’s for the group are hard to look at. Lewis leads the group with a 53.7. Jackson has a 51.9. Part time starter Phil Haynes is clocking in with a 43.3. Free agent addition Austin Blythe is somehow making Kyle Fuller look like a preferable option with a terrible 39.6 rating.
What was supposed to be a steadying presence with bookend rookie tackles learning the ropes has been ghastly. Once again – just three games into their NFL careers – the rookies are showing the veterans up. That is not acceptable. The Seahawks need the interior of the offensive line to click as badly as they need the interior defensive linemen to get their act together.
I have a whole bunch of CFB week 5 quarterback notes to come on Monday
Very intrigued by this.
Starting to feel that Seattle might be out of the levis, Stroud, young running and might have to actually do the thing JS talks about but never does and start drafting a qb (or two) every year to get it right.
Interested in how DTR plays in the coming weeks with a stout schedule right around the corner. One of my favorite players to watch.
Thanks cha. Outstanding as always I know Rob predicted a Hawks win today but I’m going a loss. Their o-line is still healthy and they’ll just run down Seattle’s throat all day imo.
I noticed in the comments on the previous thread you mentioned Pete lamenting the loss of Collier and it being a huge factor in their struggles. Once he comes back and little changes, I’m expecting the next excuse (and for the remainder of the season) to be “we built this defense around Adams and then lost him before halftime of the first game”.
Thank you cha, I really enjoy these. I think we’ll win today if we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with the D. Shouldn’t be that hard to stop a bunch of second option receivers and a running game you know is coming.
How much of the defensive struggles should we attribute to growing pains in switching to a 3-4? I’ve read that it often takes a full year to convert from 4-3 to 3-4, but I don’t understand if that is mainly due to having two off seasons to transition to more suitable personnel or if it is more due to taking that long for players to learn the new scheme. Any thoughts from more knowledgeable folks would be appreciated.
Not more knowledgeable but I’d have to guess player acquisition, right?
Taylor and Ford look lost and like liabilities at times. Where the looked solid with flashes especially taylor last year.
Rob had the great 3-4 discussions and my take away was Seattle currently needs an upgrade up front, an upgrade at linebacker, and (yet again,) an upgrade at safety to make a 3-4 work right.
“Upgrade at Safety” Peter? No worries, the peacock will be back next year.
(OK, I couldn’t even type that with a straight face, let alone say it out loud)
Fingers crossed. Would love to move from 28th place in sacks to about 24th in sacks.
Plus I’m already missing the fall fashion tips.
I think that is a good question. It is possible that is a factor, but giving Pete Carroll that leeway is a really tough ask for me. For these reasons:
1-They typically have started awfully on defense in the exact same system. In 2021 for instance, they brought back 10 of the 11 starters (Kerry Hyder was the new face), the same Defensive Coordinator, and the defense once again was a disaster.
2-Pete Carroll’s interactions with the press all offseason. He consistently batted back suggestions that changing to the 3-4 was a major adjustment. He has also refused to use the “R-word.” Rebuild, retool, whatever you want to call it. There has been no public acknowledgement that this team is taking a step back in order to set up taking several steps forward.
3-Missed tackles, dropped interceptions and dumb penalties are rarely a function of a scheme shift. The Seahawks have had those in spades so far.
A. Maybe it’s growing pains, Maybe it will bet better.
B. Maybe the players who are seeing the field in support of the shift to more 3-4 principles just are not good. If so, it must be recognized and acted upon with personnel changes.
C. It’s fashionable to blame the head coach. But what about the so-called addition of talent to the defensive coaching staff? Can they be held accountable for doing a poor job of teaching players what their responsibilities are and communicating effectively?
Great writeup once again Curtis.
Given all the Lions injuries to key players this looks like a winnable game for the Hawks. I am conflicted because as a Hawks fan I want a quality game and win but on the other hand a loss here to the Lions could go a long way towards a top 5 pick in next years draft.
I hear you.
My worry about 2-2 against the diminished lions feels like Seattle beating the crap out of the lions last year. A bit of a mirage.
For me I just want something cool to start developing. Right now all the team has done is sub out long developing passes for short quick passes while the rest of the units are boring, uninteresting, ineffective, or sometimes actually embarrassing. It’s the same tired game since around the time defenses changed up their scheme against the other qb.
Agree completely.
Just heard Jim Nagy talking about Tarik Woolen and he said Pete Carrol told him that Woolen is the DB prospect that he has been waiting 40 yrs for with regards to his physical traits and speed.
I really feel like he’s going to develop into a really good CB. And for all my (warranted) criticism of Pete Carroll, it feels like he can still teach CBs.
I agree. Seems like it is a solid rookie class with Woolen and Lucas being the two guys who appear to have star potential at first glance. Still need to develop but the early signs are definitely positive.
Just get a little life out of mafe and hope Walker gets better as he moves away from injury and this will be the best class in years. And actual hope going forward.
Very interested to see if Seattle can run the ball.
Obviously the defense needs to make big strides however this game won’t really show anything in that department with detroit having two of their main pieces out.
The run game is stale though. And was as much through the first ten games of last year. Enough is enough. Geno is playing much tighter football than expected yet this team is relying on great first half play to get it done. And it’s not happening.
Doubt the pressure against the qb will be there but it would be nice to see Taylor, mafe, johnson, owusu, or any one get some kind of pressure.
Seattle is a road team now so I think Rob is right to pick Seattle to win. Me, I’m still thinking Detroit. Both defenses currently suck so the tie goes to the better producer on offense.
Admire your optimism Peter and everyone else that is picking the Hawks. I got Detroit by 8.
Still in the lions by 4.
We can’t stop te’s and jamaal Williams isn’t some epic drop off like a good form Carson to homer.
Yeah I mis-read your post. Vegas agrees with you.
Another great write up.
For me Seattle gets the W but it will be more of a ‘how did Detroit manage to lose’ rather than ‘a good performance from Seattle’.
you hit a great point with the halftime adjustments. It’s been an issue for several years. I think the hawks have scored 3 points in the second half in this year’s games. Terrible, and it lets you see that pc has his preference of play calling. I will give credit, they have quit throwing the ball behind the l.o.s so much, I hope this trend continues
In what is undoubtedly a bad omen for the game today, The International Osprey Foundation -the world capital of Seahawks – was on Sanibel Island.
And I say WAS on Sanibel Island because there isn’t much of anything left on Sanibel Island after Hurricane Ian.
Inactives
Myles Adams
Justin Coleman
Artie Burns
Joey Blount
Phil Haynes
Dareke Young
Getting tired of seeing Myles Adams inactive. He was the most impressive D-lineman during preseason. Definitely couldn’t hurt to give him some run.
Seriously. I mean it’s not like the rest of the dline is destroying.
Remember when Mora cut Michael Bennett?
A beat up Lions team might be the easiest game remaining on the Hawks schedule. Not to sound too negative but if they don’t win this week then it is not a stretch to think they could end up with the first overall pick. The next game where it looks like they could be favoured would be at home New Years day against the Jets.
I predict the Lions will have a backup running back throw a touchdown pass on that same Travis Homer play simply to taunt us.
I think we’re about to be 1-3.
Starting Jamal Williams in FF today?
Yes!
It’s a strange feeling hat in hand every week eating a tiny portion of crow that Geno Smith is somehow not the problem with this team.
He has proven that he can be really good with the opening script. No doubt.
It’s when the script goes away that he goes back to good OL’ Geno
True.
But if I’m honest I didn’t even see him good with the opening plays before this.
Neither did I – granted, his success has been against bad defenses.
Denver was a hot mess in the first half, defensively.
Yeah who needs a WR3 when you use the TEs right…
Dissly looks way better without russ
Nah.
He looks like he did before he missed most of his first two seasons.
Uncle Will for the score! That was a decent drive except Penny couldn’t get a yard to save his life!
That was just the kind of drive that was excellent for an opening salvo but when the defense gets a sniff of what you’re doing you will have to adjust and make some yards on the ground.
Happens every week. Waldron can script a great opening and Geno can read the script really well. To your point, when that goes away it all folds – as it has, every time.
Our interior oline is garbage
I thought and almost hoped that Geno would be the reason the Hawks struggled this year. So far however the exact opposite is the case. He has been decent to good while the defense and run game have let the team down.
The offense is way more fun to watch so far this year
Neal should get more credit for his plays.
our modern day big play babs
costly fumble
Been saying this since week #1. When this offence focuses on TE heavy sets they look good. They have done this starting every game. Then in the 2nd half they move away from it for no apparent reason. Hopefully today is different.
I am a bit disappointed Fant isnt utilized more but happy to see uncle Will get the catches
Man can Waldron draw up an opening drive. Good mix. If he can figure out halftime adjustments he may just be alright
Good job Lockett. High five
Nice to face a team with a defense as soft as the Seahawks have been. Maybe that is overstating it since the Lions have stopped the run.
A lot of us wondered last year what the Seahawks would look like with a different Quarterback. One that could throw short passes to tight ends and maybe even some day a screen pass. Now we know. Thank you Geno Smith. I heard a lot of crap talked about him last year. Not saying he is elite, in fact he is maybe average. But that is good, because we get a glimpse of what an average quarterback can do with this system.
Just let that rush hate flow man
Russ
It’s not hate, it’s looking for a change when your QB is getting older. I give him props for having one of the best long balls ever, and he comes alive in the 4th quarter. Not sure where he goes in the first two quarters, but he is definitely a finisher.
I mean, we did spend a second on Eskridge, of course Lockett must return.
Ok, back to reality…
Said this a few threads ago but might be last team with the ball wins.
Shoot ourselves in the foot with special teams… defense has a chance to show a backbone and hold them to a field goal. Nope explosive first play strike for a TD.
Excellent play calling so far on offense. Well done Seahawks
Well, I guess that’s one way for the Defense to get off the field more quickly.
Can we call a run play that isn’t up the middle?
Geno earning his way into the Derek Carr tier of QBs.
Excuse me, I meant Jared Goff tier.
Not a bad spot to be at for him. Carr has made a ton of money doing next to nothing.
Geno making the most of his chances as a starter… I seriously hope the front office dont sign him long term as the starter …
Give me such performance against the Rams or at least Arizona and we can talk. Playing good with Detroit and Jaguars won’t do it for me.
PC has rose colored glasses … be scared be very scared
I dont want it to happen
Seahawks game plan: 1) Have Geno Smith run. 2) Have Travis Homer pass.
Fantastic black humor man
Either the Lions are selling out to stop the run or our line cannot run block right now, but it might not matter since it appears we can pass at will on them.
Charles Cross needs the weight room. Abe neutralizing Hutch
3rd and 3 Seahawks going with Josh Jones & Ryan Neal instead of Cody Barton.
I approve of this move.
or 1st and 10, or 2nd and 15, or 4th an 1 ….
Crawford looked stupid on special teams
Yeah, but did the gunner not block him and push off? Offensive PI? Weird play
Annnnnddddd…….. here comes the pointless challenge from Pete.
WTF is Pete challenging here what an idiot
100% agree special teams doesn’t have it today
Come on… We can’t let stuff like that happen
What an embarrassing challenge
FFS Carroll
Not his 1st embarrassing one and it won’t be his last
Should have saved it to call time-out on 4th and 1 to punt it.
And more outstanding black humor
Goddamn it Tater you have one job with Carroll on game day!!
I guarantee Pete after the game on the challenge: “I thought they would see something.”
Is the guy running the punt return team the same guy advising Pete on challenges?!
Moronic challenge
This Detroit team may not be very good but they play like a team with something to prove. I’ve missed that from the Hawks. Been at least 5 or 6 seasons.
Diggs is a shadow of his former self
Yeah, but he’s playing hurt. And they really don’t have much depth.
OMG -lol at that flag getting picked up.
Refs should be embarrassed they even threw a flag on that play. Good on them for calling it off.
💯
I can’t believe they would even throw that flag
The refs try so hard to be involved in the games.
I am totally prepared to throw a fit over the refs. I’m conditioned by their behavior in previous games.
My pet peeve, is when a receiver has control and when is it a fumble? Saw two different calls in two different games last week. One of them being on the Seahawks.
Eskridge sighting! Drink!
Surely he wasn’t Seattle’s first pick in the 2021 draft just to run end arounds.
Was he?
He probably hates playing for Pete
Wow, an outside run
Feed Walker the ball, would love to see what this kid can do
Yes! Penny ain’t it so far.
First series – TE’s
Second series – WR’s
Third series – RB’s
I like it.
It’s been an excellent game plan so far for the offense.
Fantastic lead block by Fant
Watching hurricane coverage yesterday, after a couple’s house was washed down the street, I couldn’t help but think Pete would say, “We’re close. There a foundation here.”
Nice effort DK
So glad to see Myers delivering again.
Well done Jason Myers. That’s a confidence builder
So am I the only one that still hates the sight of Ford field for what the NFL did to us in 2006? Yes I know it was a long time ago… I will never get over it though.
The NFL has women referees now, so they can throw a flag for something that happened 17 years ago.
Dameon Pierce is pretty good huh
He and Nick Chubb are the two most Seahawky RBs since Money Lynch.
It was interesting watching Myers on that kick. He looked so relaxed whilst he was waiting for the snap that it almost looked like he really didn’t give a toss. It obviously worked though!
Mafe has such good closing speed
Darrell Taylor bit on that play action so hard he didn’t even see he had a free look at Goff.
His regression this year is one of the biggest bummers of the season so far
I’m afraid he might be cognitively challenged in this scheme.
COBY!!!
Bryant may end up being the spark plug of the secondary, nice strip!
Taylor should spend less time talking and dancing and more time being a smart football player
Taylor has not shown anything to me this season and agree he needs to put in the work
Except for the Fake Punt and TL fumble, a good start to this game by the Seahawks. Geno is playing great and the defense is making plays. I am shocked, where has this team been?
The refs are taking over the game
Damn I so wanted DK to score!
Used to hate that long play without scoring when I was in a fantasy football league. LOL
Yee Haw. Go Hawks!!!! Go Hawks !!!!
Well this is more fun.
The offensive coordinating has fantastic today
Keep going back to the tight ends because they obviously can’t cover them. Good to see them not abandon that approach.
DK doesn’t stutter step, he probably makes it in the end zone. That said, Geno has been surprisingly efficient so far. Emphasis on “so far.”
Unfortunately again the kind of game to make people dream, not realizing we still have the same problems we had last week.
But I’m happy to see the rookies contribute and a solid gameplan from Waldron.
Detroit’s D is of course not a good one – but there’s no reason not to state the obvious – – Geno looks really good today. Good decisions, accurate throws both short and long. Good for him.
Little off topic but it’s a commercial break…
UCLA WR Jake Bobo 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
With an offensive triad of DTR, Charbonneau and Bobo, I think UCLA > USC.
This game is over. The Lions are way overmatched today. Nice to see an easy blowout win by Seattle. Not sure what it means going forward.
Defense.
Looks like they’re rotating Barton and Neal. And Jackson & Sidney Jones are swapping.
Mafe & Johnson seem to be getting more snaps than Taylor.
Shelby isn’t Aaron Donald but he’s getting more push than anyone else has inside.
Woolen is giving guys pops in the run game.
1) Have Geno run.
2) Have Homer pass
3) Only throw to the TE in the end zone.
tough 2nd and 23 1st down … its plays like these that just cripple this dee
Looked like he was Barton’s responsibility
What was Barton doing on that play? Did he think Goff would throw to the double covered guy or the wide, wide, wide open guy?
I thought you covered this in your article.
Cody Barton is aweful
These refs are way to involved in the game. Wat to many tick tacky calls
Brooks makes tackles but he does not make plays
good way to put it
Lions look like a team missing a bunch of key players
Impotent and poor
But surprised they look soft — thought they’d be clawing more than this
Been easy for Seattle so far
We will see if the hawks can play a full game on offense
Woolen got fooled
Another lesson learned for the young man
He has the athleticism to stick much tighter early in the route too
I’d call that a more a good throw by Goff than bad coverage.
Challenge the call Pete!
I look forward to Pete taking his foot off the pedal in the 2nd half and going 70/30 run.
Our offense sometimes looks like it can be a really effective unit – you can see it.
The defense is just full of holes though. I thought they’d be a bit better than this.
I think it’s pretty ironic Geno isn’t the weakest link on a team coached by a defensive guru who claims they aren’t in a rebuild
The defense has been shit for 3 years or more with a “defensive guru” as head coach. If Pete doesn’t have the overwhelming talent advantage he can’t win. Not an X’s and O’s coach at all yet doesn’t give his assistant coaches the freedom to use their ideas and schemes.
It will be even more ironic if Geno plays them out of the best quarterbacks in the draft. They can always sign him to a four year contract – har har.
effective e when they don’t try and run the ball
The offense is going to need to show up for all 4 quarters today because I fear the defense won’t show up for one today.
Detroit kicker will be selling insurance next week
My random half-time thought of the day:
Cooper Kupp should trademark a sports drink and pull a She-Hulk on Cooper Rush.
Not sure what the She-Hulk reference means, but he should call it Cooper’s Krush
Titania trade marked “She-Hulk” and then sued She-Hulk for using it.
Never go full Titania.
The defense line did okay on the goal line stand. Three stops isn’t bad.
Looks like a competitive game.
Palatypus: your comment about female refs throwing flags for something that happened 17 years ago was hysterical.
People got the humour going here today.
(Nod to Rob there)
It’s my job.
Well, good job😂
Let’s go Tariq!!!!
Tariq!
RUMBLE YOUNG MAN RUMBLE
Tariq!!
INT #2 for Woolen!!
Shades of Sherm
Sherm with speed. Hes not there yet but I can see it coming
Tariq! We’re witnessing the birth of a really special career, methinks.
had the exact same thought. the signs are there.
and here’s a question – – is there anyone on the Seahawks defense that you would trade Woolen for today? I don’t think there is….
Tariq baited that all the way
Seahawks just tripled their second half production rate!!! I’m looking forward to watching Tariq for many years.
That boy is fast!
We nailed this draft with Woolen and Lucas, everyone else is a bonus already.
Agree completely. Both those guys have pro bowl potential. If Cross and Mafe pan out it was an A+ draft.
The thing about Woolen that most makes me think of Sherman is his willingness to tackle.
💯
There it is!!!
https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/1576645522605178881
You da man Curtis
Buy a lottery ticket while you’re at it.
Thank goodness Cody Barton didn’t get there in time to tip it away.
Good point though I do need to ask, when was the last time Cody Barton ever got there on time?
Mafe not playing like a raw rookie
Good closing speed.
Only Darrell Taylor wasn’t in on that
Cha got his defensive big play!
Just a matter of time before Goff turned back into a pumpkin.
We have a good thing going today. Looks like 2-2 is in the bag, so even though the win isn’t at stake, we best not see the usual second half anemic offense.
No excuses
Good start right there my friend
Time to get the run game to suck the air outta the building.
Woolen is special. That’s Sherm 2.0
Nice to see you back Vol! You have been missed. Agree completely about Woolen that kid looks like he is going to be special. Not afraid to make a tackle like Sherm as well.
TY man
Clearly Woolen’s start is very encouraging
But I don’t get the Sherman comp — they seem very different cornerbacks
I agree 100% Rob. They aren’t the same player. I think we get a little lazy comparing to old Seahawks. We compare this year to 2011, Tariq to Sherm, LJ Collier to Avril…okay, no one ever did that….but you get the point.
Penny sighting! Finally…
In other league news. Biscuit got benched. Kenny Pickett at QB for Stealers.
I want to see DK catch a TD pass
D’oh!
2nd half woes on offense continues
“Just a bit outside….” Jesus, Myers.
Slightly high snap but he got it down on time
I wish they would keep Metcalf’s routes past the first down marker. They have other players that can run short routes.
Disagree slightly. He could be a weapon.
Still only 3 total second half points for the Seahawks this season.
I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if we don’t score another point today.
If it makes you feel any better Kenny Pickett just threw his first NFL interception.
Well stealer fans, you wanted him….
Poona Ford trying to beat his blocker around the edge….LOL
3-4 wasn’t working on that play.
Dang – Seahawks defense starting to regress.
There’s the defense we know
Was that Josh Jones who got steamrolled by Williams?
Yep
Cut Cody Barton
No, really. Cut Cody Barton.
He literally just watched Goff run by him.
Should have happened this last off season if not the off season before
50/50 ing Barton and Neal in the first half was a good decision.
They’ve gone away from that.
Why?
keep this season for a better draft pick
he’s awful and cant make the necessary plays
Ha, that is the first thing comes to my mind.
Sleepy defense trying to hand tackle? You get what you deserve.
Could’ve tanner muse be any worse than Barton?
Or how bout bringing k.j outta retirement
this dee is in such trouble and may need 2 more drafts to fix these problems
Copy Barton not paying attention again
If you play fantasy football the opposing teams leader rusher when playing the Seahawks is always the easiest pick of the week. Patterson last week and Williams today were no brainers. This run defense and LB group are abysmal.
Same with opposing TE. When your matchup’s TE is playing the Hawks, you know they be putting up 15 fantasy points.
Barton making a business decision on that 2 pt conversion. WTF?
Goff Gashes Goofed Gulls at Goal line
And now the 2nd half implosion begins…
The offense needs to score some points in the 2nd half this week or we’re gonna have a loss that is gonna be ugly because this defense isn’t gonna hold them down the rest of the game.
Even if they win and this has been fun this team still isn’t right
our LB’s are so weak – worse than I’d hoped.
also – would it kill Fox to give me a replay of the defensive holding that gave them the 2nd chance on that 2 pt play? Play barely lasted 2 seconds, how was there even time to hold…..
The Falcons just had a 10 play touchdown drive. Every single play was a run. Not even one attempted pass.
I’m rooting for the Hawks. I always will. But, I’m a little concerned that they are good enough to get 7-8 wins and draft in the mid teens. Likewise for the Broncos. If that happens, I believe PC will stick with Geno, sign him to a three year extension and we will be in that draft range for years.
I don’t know about that. Fun game for sure. But this is the lions. A win today does not mean this team is anywhere near 7 wins.
You are probably right…and the lions are injured. We shall see, I guess.
I could totally be wrong. I was way off on geno. Maybe the defense keeps building after today.
He got it
Damn the turf monster
Grounding
Hey look it’s another 2nd half total offensive collapse for Seattle
Refs are just way too prominent in this game…..
Geno is starting to panic.
Way too many flags out there now.
In Gino’s defense I heard that whistle too
Gulp. Getting slapped in the head really messed with Geno on the end of this drive. Dude is playing with no composure.
The Refs are about as well oiled machine as the Hawks defense.
Wow what a break
Now do something with it Geno
I mean do something with it Penny
The manatee is getting a lot of playing time with Baltimore today. Mostly in the pistol formation.
PENNY UP THE GUT
Wow!
A second half TD on O. What a novelty
Ballsy call by Waldron. Well played.
Salvation!
Though it reeks of bad officiating
It wasn’t. You could see the playclock going haywire as Geno was approaching the line. he even looked at the officials once or twice presnap.
Sure does
Wow! What a turn of Events!!!! Yee haw – Go Hawks!!!
Wait, wasn’t Penny supposed to throw a pass there?
But can Penny dunk?? lol
Nope, wrong running back
thought i heard the whistle on that 4th too….but that’s a killer for the Lions.
38 points….been a minute since we’ve hit that number……
I want another 51-29 like last year.
What’s this D doing???
jesus …Barton does not need to play another game for us….is there nobody out there better than him?
There must be someone else that we can play instead of Cody Barton
Cody with the Hawk tackling we’ve come to love!
Cody Barton laughing my freaking ass off
Cut Cody Barton II
Cody Barton showing up big again
Cody Barton out here playing two hand touch!
This team is going to drive me to drinking!
…….I can’t even. The tackling skill of this squad is the worst I’ve ever seen.
A Cody Barton Special- just dont tackle haha
that should be made as a .gif Barton is brutal
I wonder how Dave Wyman is going to defend Cody this week.
He will find a way just like hes been doing for Jamal Adams for 3 years
Wyman will downplay it probably saying Barton needs to use the sideline… frustrating to see the LBs grade so terribly
Seahawks looking good then Barton let’s the Lions back in the game. We should be real interested in Rob’s Linebacker Draft Ratings during this offseason.
Just sign someone competent
They don’t need to be amazing
Plenty of ‘OK’ linebackers out there and ‘OK’ is fine
Amazing that they didn’t add someone to at least challenge Barton
The really sad thing there is Barton didn’t even need to tackle him….just shove his ass out of bounds.
Josh Jones whiffed before he got to Barton too.
I just cannot understand how a defensive minded head coach thinks this effort, tackling and overall defense is acceptable,
Barton played Hockerson like he was a QB and couldn’t touch him
Jacksonville was leading 14-0 early in the first quarter on the road in Philly.
The Eagles have scored 29 unanswered points.
Sound familiar?
🙁
I’m going to give Geoff some credit for recognizing who to throw too. He’s a veteran and it shows in games like this. Add missed tackles and we got a game.
This defense man
Terrible, again
This is beyond embarrassing. They stink. They can’t find their ass with both hands.
I want to see Pete quit being diplomatic and get mad. Fix this defense now or heads will roll. Pull your thumb out of your butt or you are gone.
The Seahawks did some video stuff on tackling awhile back. Make that required watching. Many times.
meanwhile the Steelers Pickett era has begun
Pickett’s Charge is a famous Pennsylvania disaster.
Today’s history lesson very nice
HAHAHA I love a good history joke!
Defense is so bad this year….they don’t do anything well. Josh Jones is a back-up, but he’s terrible too. There’s not a strong unit on that side of the ball.
Robert Smith with the KISS reference. Nice
Robert Smith was in The Cure.
Touche
The Lions
-Came into this game seriously banged up
-Have committed 8 penalties through 3 quarters
-Have 2 turnovers including a pick six
-Have missed 2 PAT’s
And they are still within a score.
“So what you’re saying is…there IS a chance.” – Lloyd Christmas.
The Seahawks will be safe if they score two more touchdowns. I hope!!
Seahawks also whiffed- on Special Teams and Defense
It’s nice to see Parkinson involved with the offense this year.
one plus – – it is cool to see the Hawks using their TE’s for once. Parkinson definitely has the size/athleticism you want in a TE. Looks good w the ball in his hands.
why does Lockett layup and not go for more RAC yards?
Isn’t it obvious?
He doesn’t trust the defense. Trying to burn the clock.
Half joking/half serious.
We’re basically watching a Madden game today…
Is it just me or have we only gotten a few yards every time Geno audibles into a run?
I don’t know what the over under was on this game but if you bet the over I’m thinking you’re already in
Was Gino a tick late with that throw?
i think he was – but he did put it in a pretty good spot. he’s really been very good today.
He definitely has
Just a field goal there is too little.
Is that is not a good thing to see
DK has the shit
big dog
big poo
Looks like the Falcons are going to have a winning streak.
DK just has the mud butt. No worries.
Marcus Marriota 7/19 for 139yds and an INT. Still Falscona win the game.
And he got completely pancaked today.
Browns gonna Browns
Matt Hasselbeck was critical of the Chicago Bears offense this morning calling it “a service team.” But isn’t the Ravens offense, too? I mean it looks like Navy with Ricky Dobbs.
This game is gonna come down to us burning up the clock on our last possession
Pickett with his second interception.
We give up way too many yards, too easily.
If the defense could have gotten a stop there the game might well have been over
Trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
Ds making Look Goff and Geno like MVPs…
Only the Hawks could make a middling TE that’s not lived up to his draft status into the second coming of Kelce.
Not to mention our long history of making mediocre QBs look like Dan Fouts
4th and 9 with Geoff and no starting WR….Seahawks defense “sure why the hell not take it”
Too easy like a hot knife through butter
The over/under today was 48. Who had the over?
PC will spin this
this is typical PC football 1 posession game
let’s see if Lions onside kick
Dang!!!!! Now Geno and the offense have to make another touchdown.
Because they can’t give the ball back to Detroit with time on the clock.
Imagine seeing Cody Barton play his whole career and thinking that you could start him this year. Just one reason why Carroll has to go
The play of this defense is a direct indictment of Pete Carrol and should get him fired IMO. Have always been a fan of Pete but it is time for a change.
Hey Pete….pssst I think they might be going to TJ Hockenson on just about every play.
A FG is not enough, we should try and run the ball so we burn time.
not that it matters much – but that was really OPI on the receiver who pushed his corner into Neal’s path – and opened things up for Hockenson. I only mention b/c every time we’ve breathed on their WR’s today, there’s been a flag.
+1
Sure
But we also has a 16 point lead so we could have locked it down then if we weren’t “competive” with the falcons and lions.
All I wanted was bad but entertaining. Getting it from these guys. Defense is really bad. Really, really, really bad
Guess which TE is starting against my Fantasy Squad hahahah
Ouch
The old Pete carrol razzle dazzle.
At least it’s a fun (?) Big 12 style shootout
Can you win a Game in the First Quarter hahah
Haha…what sucks is we are winning in the first quarter this season. It’s all tge other quarters that are hard.
When was the last time the Hawks scored 40+ and lost?
Is Eskridge hurt again
Eskridge so brittle he reminds me of CJ Prosise
Turns out that getting more than 5 plays a game is too much for Eskridge to handle.
Over under on how long he’s out now?
the penalty calls are getting crazy….
The refs are toying with us. Like a cat on a mouse.
God the refs can’t wait to throw flags
It’s really nice throw there
The referee in the Baltimore/Buffalo literally just said, “Time out Buffalo, their fourth.”
I think it’s like a game where you can buy a 4th now!
They instituted the new bonus timeout rule this week. You must not have heard about it
Ravens had a 20 to 3 lead against Buffalo, just lost 23 to 20
Yeah I thought the Bills are toast, nice comeback
again – – acknowledging the level of competition – but is this the best full game of Geno’s career?
Feels like it’s the best one I’ve seen him play as a Hawk.
The lions keep stopping the clock with these injuries
The Joe Nash special
Abe vs Hutchinson today. Win Abe.
Why is Geno snapping the ball with 12 seconds on the playclock and the game clock running?
Yey way to go Penny.
Yes – Penny. Two or three counter plays that have scored today. Yeah!!!
i mean….crazy ass game……
Penny!!
Damn good playcall
*exhales* Nice execution by Geno, Penny and the OL.
Abe Lucas my man
Lifelong Coug fan here so you know he’s my man too.
Third generation Coug and graduate myself Big Mike….love Abe!
Seattle U. grad here but grew up in Spokane so you know that’s Coug country.
Nice. I’m the opposite I grew up North of Everett but went to WSU. My grandfather was a lineman in the late 40’s for the Cougs and actually was accepted and played in the East/West shrine game in 47 I believe. Drafted that year too by the then Washington Redskins. So I was brought up as a baby to be a Coug.
Hahah I feel entertained. What about you?
Better than winning 17-16. Or is it?
For Sure. Better than the Punting games Russ is playing in Denver rn
When the team sucks I’d rather watch a game like this.
Imagine if we even had a decent interior offensive line
I know it’s the Lion’s D and they are hurt but I have to give it to the offense today. They came and played hard today. However the defense…..well…..
LUCAS IS A MAN. He washed that out and the pull guard cleared the lane. Penny with the big day. Offense did grea today. I am entertained. Defense sucks though
i can already hear the press conference in my head
PC will downplay the dee
Pete just can’t help himself. He knows the red flag isn’t to indicate he’s out of him, right?
*gum
Damn it.
Looks like Pete threw a challenge flag for something that happened 17 years ago again.
I doubt even Pete could downplay this defense
“Hold my beer”
I think Pete just wants to rest he defense and maybe substitute
This is worth challenging because of the game situation. But it’s a bad challenge because he’s going to lose it
Might as well take a chance at this point
Pickett threw a 3rd interception.
Stealers lose!
Their first round draft pick. I wasn’t aware that he was so highly valued by the other teams.
ALWAYS a good day when the stealers lose.
Steelers hitting a “whammy,” with that pick.
You know, I have to say I’m not the biggest fan of these “Defense-optional” games. NFL should penalize both teams for not rostering league-average defensive sides.
Seahawks setting records on offense and defense today!
I am actually hoping the Lions tie this they earned it
😆
we just can’t guard anyone….
DET didn’t even burn a timeout on that drive. What an awful defense we’re fielding.
48 points and it’s a nail-biter… My gosh.
hope they onside kick it towards Barton
What’s the point of a “defensive minded” coach if your D is this inept year after year?!?
Why would Bellore touch that ball?
The Seahawks score 48 and the game nearly came down to trusting Nick Bellore’s hands.
Or ain’t over yet with them having 3 time outs
This game is far from over with our defense
Thank Goodness for Dallas
Seahawks defence like Tottenham’s v Arsenal.
Now there was the interior offensive line making a huge hole
Now they are showing some killer instinct. Ram that ball down their throat.
This is how you close out a game. Yes it took the entire second half, but they closed it out and get the win.
can you win the game in the 1st quarter can you win the game in the 2nd quarter can you win the game in the …
Did they say that is the first time we never had to punt in a game? Led by Geno Smith. Things you didnt expect.
Fun fact: The Detroit Lions offense outscored the Seattle Seahawks offense…and still lost the game.
One of their ends set a receiving record today.
And it was based on offense with a helping hand from the one defensive interception.
This was one of the most exciting games I’ve seen with the Cadillac Heart Attack Hawks.
They even beat the vegas spread!
Happy we won. Boy our D sucks bigtime.
The next few weeks, when they play competent defenses, is going to be brutal.
Enjoy the win. They earned it.
let’s go
Rai
Dahs
need the new Broncos mantra to
let’s Slide
I will say this. Geno is earning himself a few more years and pay even if its as a backup somewhere long term. Good for him. Likely worst case for him now.