Curtis Allen’s week six watchpoints (vs Arizona)

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

The Cardinals playing the Seahawks always invokes a strange kind of apprehension in me.  

This series is kind of a Bizarro World adventure, with the road team coming out ahead more often than not.

In the last seven seasons, the Cardinals are 5-2 in Seattle.  Conversely, the Seahawks are 5-1-1 in Glendale.  So, nothing is as it seems, and it really feels strange knowing the Seahawks can beat the Cardinals but not in front of their home crowd.

Even knowing the Hawks play well in Glendale is cold comfort.  The myriad of tragic lows experienced in that stadium, from catastrophic injuries to beloved players, a franchise-shattering play in the Super Bowl, to watching what we were fairly certain was Russell Wilson’s last game in a Seahawks uniform, all add up to very strong ‘won the battle but lost the war’ feelings.

As always, the Cardinals’ timing is impeccable.  The Seahawks followed up a dazzling offense/poor defense win with a dazzling offense/poor defense loss and we are all perplexed about the future of this team. 

Losing games gets the Seahawks closer to the top of the draft in 2023 but losing this way is unacceptable.  We are forced into big-picture thinking by this defense and asking questions about how they could possibly be this bad?  A sideline spat between Quandre Diggs and Jordyn Brooks might be the first sign of life that somebody on the team has noticed how poorly they are playing. 

Looking forward to the next great quarterback coming to Seattle in 2023 is exciting but the quarterback they have right now is one of the best NFL comeback stories in ages and we are all thrilled to be witnessing it.

Here come the Cardinals, with their good defense, their Mighty Mouse-Hollywood Brown duo and their own set of internal dramas going.  

They have failed to rocket out of the gate this year like the typical Kliff Kingsbury teams have in the past.  Last week they had a bizarre fourth-quarter sequence that culminated in a missed field goal as time expired to lose to the Eagles.  

Their offense has a strong air of stale predictability to it.  This after an offseason where the three principals (Murray, Kingsbury and GM Steve Keim) all signed very healthy extensions.

Both teams are 2-3 and at this point in the season have far more questions than answers.

So really, that is the biggest watch point.  Who is going to control their drama most effectively on Sunday?

It will take an effort from the Seahawks equal to their Week One game against Denver – a level we have not seen since – to come away with a win this week.

I am deviating from my standard practice for watch points a little this week.  Instead of narrowly specific points to watch, with how loosely both teams are playing it is hard to really build much of a narrative to follow.  This week’s points will be more of a collection of stream-of-consciousness thoughts that will likely factor into the game, if all these oddball x-factor things like questionable penalties, broken-tackle busted plays and odd coaching decisions do not get in the way.

Some Notes on the Offense vs Arizona’s Defense

The Cardinals come into this game with a very middling defense statistically so far this season.  However – since the 44-point drubbing they suffered at the hands of the Chiefs in Week One, they have been effective.

They are only allowing 19.75 points per game and 310 yards per game in their last four games – both are good figures considering they have played the Raiders, Rams, Panthers and Eagles.

With the way the Seahawks’ defense is playing, 20 points from the offense is not going to win this game.  They will have to find a way to score more than those four teams.

The good news is this offense matches up very nicely with the Cardinal defense.  There are several areas the Seahawks should be able to make some hay in this game.

The first advantage comes in the opening quarter.  Seattle is the #2 offense in the NFL in first quarter scoring, coming out hot with 8.2 points over the first five games.  Arizona’s defense?  The very last-place team in the NFL in the first quarter, allowing 7.6 points.  Not unlike last week, the Seahawks need to come out of the gate and take control of the scoreboard early on.  That can only help their defense.

One way they can do that is to keep using their tight ends liberally.  Why?  It is another Cardinal weak spot on defense the team is well-placed to exploit.  They are second-worst in the NFL in defending tight ends (who is the worst?  Don’t ask…ugh).  Every week so far this season they have given up an average of 6.4 catches for 78 yards and .4 touchdowns.  

The Seahawks?  Their tight ends on offense are averaging 6.6-71.4-1.  An average day for this offense should be easily achievable.  Do not be surprised if they surpass it easily, and we are talking about the trio’s excellent day as a nice game recap point.

One interesting battle to watch will be how Geno Smith and Shane Waldron handle Arizona’s blitzing.  Once again mad scientist Vance Joseph is sending extra rushers as often as anyone in the NFL, sending blitzers on an incredible 41.7% of plays.

Are they getting home?  No.  They only have recorded six sacks, good for the last place in the NFL.

But you need to look at pressure not just sacks right?  Sure.  They are middling at best, only getting pressure 23% of the time, good for 16th in the NFL.

Geno might be licking his chops.  When he has been blitzed this year, he is returning a 118 passer rating, 31% of his passes gain first downs and he has only been sacked twice.  Nor has he thrown an interception.

It should be noted that he has yet to face a team that is blitzing that heavily.  His numbers may not quite be that good Sunday, particularly with Joseph cooking up all kinds of exotic pre-snap looks and sending corners and safeties from all over the place.

Some Notes on the Defense vs the Arizona Offense

As usual, this is where the real challenge lies for this team.  Is there a chance this defense could stop mimicking pre-2022 Geno Smith and start mimicking 2022 Geno Smith?  Yes, sure.  But just like with Smith, we will need to see it – and see it for stretches – for us to believe it is really happening.

Here are some things Arizona does on offense that the Seahawks could work with on defense…

They are the worst first quarter scoring team in the NFL.  They have zero first quarter points in five games.  Zero.  No touchdowns, no field goals.  So, while the Seahawk offense is one of the best, the Cardinals take a whole quarter to get on track.  Here is hoping that continues this week.  A professionally embarrassed defense should come out of the gate raring to prove their competence and build some momentum, and opportunities to do that do not come any more gift-wrapped than this sputtering first quarter group.

I mentioned how they are predictable on offense.  In the past, they have started the season very well, taking teams by storm.  Yet, when the league starts to figure out what they are doing, they adjust and the Cardinals do not or cannot and the wheels start to fall off in the second half of the season.

This season so far though, they are 2-3 and have not played very well on offense.  Why not?  One of the reasons can be found in the patterns they have locked themselves into.

Let me illustrate with a quick chart on their pre-snap play setup and their post-snap choices.  You will clearly see that they have taken the variation out of their offense:

 

There are a few things going on here we need to work through.

First off, it is amazing how they have taken any of the guesswork out of their post-snap action this year, as you can see from the bottom portion of the chart.  They are only making token attempts to deceive the defense before revealing their true intentions.  By not needing to discern what is going on, defenders (particularly linebackers) are free to pin their ears back and straight up handle their assignments.

The top part of the chart is very interesting to me as well.  The Cardinals have always needed to work in shotgun a ton.  That is simply a function of Murray being short and needing the depth to read the field and work his scramble magic with his feet.  They have a small package of plays for when he lines up under center.

This year they have squeezed the margin even narrower though.  Murray sets up under center a miniscule 11% of the time, but when he does, 72% of the time the play is a run.  They are telegraphing their intentions more than they ever have.

The interior defensive line can take a key from that and know they do not need to penetrate way up field and rush the passer, but to clog the middle.  Kyler loves to take the snap in shotgun and just hand it to his running back and let him find a gap.  That is one downside of the shotgun.  The runner does not get a head of steam.  He must get the ball flat-footed and read the gaps.  If there is not a clear gap to run at, he has no momentum to just lower his head and push the pile forward for a yard or two.

The other element is their play choices.  Watching their first five games on offense, I cannot tell you how many times I witnessed these five offensive plays over and over and over again:

  • The running back screen
  • A seam route by Zach Ertz with a ‘sit down in the zone’ option
  • A one-on-one hitch or go-ball route counting on the WR to win his matchup
  • A wide receiver screen because the corner has come off the WR and the defense is protecting the deep pass with a two-high look
  • The Kyler Murray scramble to give his receivers time

True, those are five very different plays that attack different areas of the field.

However, it feels like the predictability of those plays can be used to your advantage if you have a plan in place, the personnel to make it work and a fired-up belief that you can have success.

First off – defending screen plays successfully is pure desire.  The first defender to the screen must know if he can knife through and get the runner, great.  But most of the time, his job is to occupy the lead blocker and shuttle the runner back to the middle of the field where help is coming from.  Secondly, the linebackers and defensive backs are important but the defensive linemen are critical in defending the screen.  They need to recognize the signs of a screen quickly (the OL releasing them for a free shot at the quarterback), read the flow and run down those backside lanes the runner will get to.

Watching the Eagles defend the screen against the Cardinals was a thing of beauty.  Fletcher Cox came steaming in and hit the runner with a lick more than once.  Poona Ford and Bryan Mone have both demonstrated downfield hustle in recent seasons.  They will be badly needed to accomplish that Sunday against the Cardinals, who have traditionally been one of the most screen-heavy teams in the NFL.

What else?  Kyler also has shown me something this year — if he has ‘his guy’ (usually Hollywood) one on one with the corner tight on him in a single-high safety deployed, he will frequently abandon the set pass play with its needed progressions and target him.  Conversely, if the corner is off his man, Kyler will just dump it to the receiver and let him get some YAC.  

Particularly if the receiver is lined up on his favorite side – the left side.

I think the Seahawks have two ways to successfully defend this:

— The Seahawks can occasionally dictate to Kyler what they want him to do with their presnap look.  Show him one look and then quickly adjust before the snap.  At worst you disrupt his processing.  At best he throws for a loss or an interception.

— Tariq Woolen can have a whale of a game Sunday.  He will get Hollywood Brown or A.J. Green a lot.  With his length and toughness, he can disrupt the receiver at the line of scrimmage and get a hand on the ball when Kyler throws it his way.  He may even be able to bait Kyler into throwing at him and pick another pass off.

Zach Ertz is a problem.  As you have probably figured out, the Seahawks are the worst team in the NFL in defending tight ends.  They will have to find a way to disrupt him.  Altering his routes is a real task, and that will likely fall on Ryan Neal or Josh Jones.  If they can re-route him though, Kyler’s safety valve will have a difficult day and that will force the offense out to the edges of the field where the sideline is an ally.

Kyler Murray’s in-pocket game is becoming increasingly based on rhythm.  His average pocket time so far this year before a throw or a scramble is 2.2 seconds, easily the lowest of his career.  The average depth of his throws is four yards, again easily the lowest of his career.

He is relying so much more on his screen game and his singularly talented receivers to win battles for him.  Gone are the days where he is either running the ball himself or scrambling around in the backfield playing schoolyard ball on 40-50% of plays.

If the Seahawks can play with him a bit, jam and otherwise re-route his receivers, they can force him to think on his feet and make some very poor decisions.

426 Comments

  1. samprassultanofswat

    Rob: Excellent as usual. The Seahawk game is going to be on at the same time as the Chiefs-Bills game. Believe it or not. I have more interest in that game than the Seahawks-Cardinals game. The winner of the Chiefs-Bills game could go on and have home field advantage through out the playoffs. Right now the Chiefs-Bills are the two best teams in the NFL. But injuries can change that. I probably will be watching the Chiefs-Bills and record the Seahawk game. Its too bad about the Mariners. They were in every game. But the could not pull the trigger. Houston is tough.

  2. Romeo A57

    Thanks CHA, I think we learned during the offseason that Murray has little interest in studying tape and running a structured offense. He wants to run around and make players and is athletic enough to get away with playing like that.

    My fear is that the lack of athleticism on the Seahawks Defense will be in full display with Kyler running by defenders like Taysom did last week.

    I am still a holdout on pronouncing Geno’s greatness. Let’s see if he can continue to thaw out my reservations today. Another 30 points by the offense is a must today if Seattle wants to win.

  3. God of Thunder

    Thanks Cha! This will enhance my viewing of the game.

  4. Blitzy the Clown

    He may even be able to bait Kyler into throwing at him and pick another pass off.

    i like Woolen vs Murray today. But I worry about Ertz. Thankfully, Conner is out.

    It should be noted that [Smith] has yet to face a team that is blitzing that heavily. His numbers may not quite be that good Sunday, particularly with Joseph cooking up all kinds of exotic pre-snap looks and sending corners and safeties from all over the place.

    Today will be a challenge for the OL. So far the rookie OTs have done well handing off or picking up stunts, but today will test them in that regard.

    If Walker and Dallas/Homer can establish the run game early, that should help Geno rpo/audible the Cards into their own pass rush problems. I’m looking forward to seeing the ‘field general’ aspect of his game shine today.

  5. Blitzy the Clown

    Watching Jets at GB and I think Seattle need a Quinnen Williams.

    Rob said something recently that’s stuck in my craw a bit because I can see the logic of it:

    LBs and safeties are overrated. DL is where it’s at. Put your money/draft capital into the big guys in the trench. Pair them with corners who can live on an island (or alternatively, work together in zone with the safeties), and you don’t need superstars like Bobby Wagner or Earl Thomas to succeed in the modern NFL.

    Also, I really dig the Packers’ throwback unis.

    • Rob Staton

      💯

      The Seahawks need impact D-liners

      That’s where they need to invest picks and money

  6. AlaskaHawk

    I’m going to watch two things in particular.

    One is whether Geno Smith can still deliver the ball when he is being blitzed by multiple people. He has choked up a bit when he is under pressure, so this will be a good test to see if he is improving in that area.

    On defense I’m going to really watch to see if they are running a 3-4 defense. I don’t think they are, except on a few passing downs. But I do want to figure this out as we keep talking about a 3-4 which I don’t think they have transitioned to.

  7. Trevor

    Thanks Cha! Really appreciate the game day writeups.

    Watching SF today makes me realize just how bad the NFC West has been so far this year.

    • Peter

      And maddening that in a career redemption story worth following our team can’t get out if it’s own way.

  8. Roy Batty

    Nwosu and Mafe chasing a Murray will be a good watch, today.

  9. Mick

    Damn Al Woods and Gabe Jackson are missing.

    • Big Mike

      Big Al will be a much greater loss

  10. Blitzy the Clown

    Quinnen Williams is just taking over this game for the Jets

  11. Blitzy the Clown

    The Jets are flying high in GB today.

    Is the AFC East the best division in football?

    • Blitzy the Clown

      Also, blog favorite Micheal Clemons is balling out too. Just blocked a punt.

  12. Big Mike

    Calais Campbell just got a sack for Baltimore. STILL wish he was a Seahawk.

  13. Trevor

    Looking at the other rookie OT and this years draft class. Getting Lucas and Cross is looking like a master stroke by JS in last years draft. After years of poor drafts they may have had one of the best non QB drafts in recent history.

    So curious if they did anything different during the draft process / scouting ?

    • Blitzy the Clown

      To expand on a theme…

      If the prospects are there; and
      If Schneider/Carroll pull another draft double dip in the trenches a la 2021;

      Then it’s possible to see the same kind of year one improvement that we have with Lucas and Cross.

      That’s where I’ll be looking for draft gems — among the DLers of this draft class.

      Did anyone watch Clemson-FSU last night? Wondering how Bresee looked in his return.

      • Rob Staton

        He was very quiet

  14. Blitzy the Clown

    Breese Hall man. I like Kenneth Walker but it’s hard not to envy the Jets for that one.

    Not to mention a few others. They absolutely crushed their last draft.

    Here’s to hoping Walker has the kind of day to make me forget all about Hall 🍻

  15. Kenny Sloth

    Go Hawks!!!!!!

  16. Rob Staton

    Brian Daboll.

    What an inspired coaching hire.

    And pairing him with an experienced, proven defensive coordinator too.

    What a good plan.

    • cha

      Double-covering their big tight end weapon at the key moment in the game, and top pick Kayvon with the strip sack to win it.

      Simple genius that just eludes the Seahawks time and time again.

      • Rob Staton

        Imagine having a plan

    • Peter

      Easily coach of the year at this point.

  17. Robbie

    Shaquill Griffen just got burned for the game winning TD. So happy we didn’t resign him!

    • Rob Staton

      And the commentator said they’ve been picking on Griffin ‘all day’

      Ouch

  18. Trevor

    Jets beat Packers
    Falcons beat 49ers
    Giants beat Ravens
    Steelers beat Bucs

    If anyone predicted those four outcomes they could have made an awful lot of money today. The NFL really is crazy this year.

  19. Roy Batty

    Jen Hale sideline reporter already with two “Rashard Penny’s”.

    • SEAhemoth82

      And apparently we drafted Tariq Woolen close to the same spot as Sherman Williams.

      • Rob Staton

        The legendary member of the LOB, Sherman Williams

        Loved watching him play next to Chancellor Smithers

        • Kenny Sloth

          Earl Sandwich was the best of that group imho

        • SEAhemoth82

          and Earl Flynn.

  20. cha

    Josh Jones bit on that read option so hard he’s still looking for the guy.

  21. Kyle R

    At least we stopped out running QB problems from last week!

  22. Chris

    Didn’t take long for an explosive run

  23. Roy Batty

    Diggs just broke both his ankles this time.

    • Robbie

      Yeah….that was brutal.

    • jed

      He’s playing like last year Bobby.

      • Roy Batty

        To me he is the poster child for “Got paid, not inspired to try hard.”

    • Bmseattle

      I love hiw he half assed it downfield,after whiffing…only to get stiff armed and thrown to the ground by the ball carrier.

  24. Mick

    This terrible D is killing me.

  25. Bmseattle

    Didnt take long for a Diggs play where he misses 2 tackles.

  26. seaspunj

    looking forward to seeing how Mafe does. Contained Murray on the read option

  27. Chris

    I would have our defense run the John Wayne drill in practice until they were bleeding out of their ears

  28. Kyle R.

    The Seahawks Defense are very nice hosts letting the Cardinals get their very first points of the first quarter this year.

    • Bmseattle

      Im pretty sure some folks saw “improvement” on that drive.

      • Rob Staton

        LOL

      • cha

        It was a great defensive series if you don’t count Josh Jones vacating the hole for Murray to scamper for a huge play and Diggs getting worked twice on the same play.

  29. AlaskaHawk

    Defense playing as remembered. Five guys on the line and most of them rushing on a passing down. So they play a 5-2? It doesn’t work well on running plays LOL.

  30. Chris

    I’m pretty sure the s.d.b community could put together an offense that could score on this defense

  31. Roy Batty

    Bad idea Geno, very bad.

    • Hawkster

      audibled to the press-man, but that wasn’t really route

  32. ShowMeYourHawk

    Facemask by DK, or that’s an opening pick.

  33. Roy Batty

    There we go. A workable gadget play early.

    And NOT on the goal line.

  34. Chris

    Nice play call

  35. seaspunj

    Walker iii era has begun!

  36. Blitzy the Clown

    Excellent wildcat surprise!

    • seaspunj

      Waller wildcat!

  37. ShowMeYourHawk

    Explosion, thy name is Kenneth.

  38. Hawkster

    walker more jitter-buggy than I recall from college

  39. Big Mike

    Hey Blitzy,
    Walker says “take that Breece Hall”

    • Mick

      Thought so too, and add Dameon Pierce. I trust the kid to do a good job for us.

  40. Rob Staton

    Couple of bad Geno throws to DK so far

    • Bmseattle

      What was thst first one?
      Never should have been thrown, and he got very lucky it wasnt picked.
      That last one, he was super late getting it there.

  41. Big Mike

    Late and high

    • Hawkster

      just didn’t drive the ball to him, tossed more of a fetch-it, almost seemed indecisive on the throw.

  42. Kyle R

    Yes Walker!! He and the Tackles progressing were my things to watch this year! Nice to have that now!

  43. Blitzy the Clown

    Not a great throw

  44. ShowMeYourHawk

    *sigh* Just take the first down….

  45. Big Mike

    I’ve got overpowered on that

    • Big Mike

      Abe got overpowered on that

      • Bmseattle

        You living life vicariously through Abe Lucas?😏

        • Big Mike

          Kind of period I’m a cougars fan

  46. Roy Batty

    I really hope they pass to Walker in stride, at some point. That kid with a head of steam and some space would be special.

  47. SEAhemoth82

    Can we not give a shout out to Austin Blythe?!

    • Big Mike

      Excellent block on the direct snap

  48. Chris

    Eventually hawks are gonna catch Arizona in a blitz and walkers is gonna house one

  49. Troy D

    Lucas had a mixed bag on that series. Obviously the run was to his side so he definitely did well there but the false start and then getting bull rushed by Thomas to end the drive. Hopefully he bounces back. Geno has to gett DK that ball on time for that would be touchdown.

    • Rob Staton

      Geno was the filling in a tackle sandwich on that sack

      Both tackles dominated

  50. Roy Batty

    Brooks looked like he ran into a brick wall.

  51. Chris

    Frickin missed tackles

    • Roy Batty

      Guys leading with their face masks is getting ridiculous.

  52. Big Mike

    More bad tackling equals 1st down could equal points

  53. Robbie

    This is the worst tackling Seahawks team I’ve ever seen

  54. Kyle R

    Is Hawk Tackling a Meme of itself now? I remember when it used to mean one of the best tackling teams in the league.

  55. Chris

    Coby seems like the only one who can tackle

  56. jed

    Even I said he’s going to run up the middle on that 3rd & 7

  57. Chris

    Nice of us to leave a huge gap in the line for him

  58. seaspunj

    I can’t understand the dline alignment it offers massive gaps and Murray just runs up the middle with ease

  59. Chris

    Clint hurt has always had a shit d line so why not promote him to d.c pete

  60. Feindt

    Eno Benjamin looking like Top RB against that D

  61. Chris

    Better bench brooks for making a 3rd down tackle

  62. ShowMeYourHawk

    Let’s see if Hurtt can motivate the D after he’s done eating the 8ft party sub between quarters….

  63. Roy Batty

    OK, Geno, start hitting your TE’s up the middle.

  64. Big Mike

    Is nice throw Murray

  65. cha

    Who is stopping Kyler Murray?

    It’s Kyler Murray.

    • Big Mike

      Yup, and we’ve seen this movie before

  66. Chris

    Can’t believe that Murray got paid

  67. Big Mike

    I’ll say it again Walker reminds me of our Curt Warner back in the eighties

  68. Roy Batty

    Holy crap what bad blocking.

  69. Chris

    Hopefully his knees last longer

    • Big Mike

      💯

    • Roy Batty

      Warner played in the Kingdome on astroturf with minimal padding underneath.

      That stuff absolutely shredded knees and exposed skin.

  70. SEAhemoth82

    Amidst the smoldering trash heap of a defense, where is Sean Desai?

  71. Troy D

    Damn Watt just dusted Lucas on 3rd down there

  72. cha

    Cardinals run 14 plays and turn the ball over. Good job D.

    Seahawks 3 and out on offense.

    We saw this last year. The offense needs to play defense too by just staying on the field longer.

  73. Chris

    Hope Jody Allen enjoys watching this defense

    • ShowMeYourHawk

      She just wants the players to have fun, regardless of the outcome….

  74. Roy Batty

    One just dominated.

  75. Big Mike

    Booooooo Jody

  76. Rob Staton

    Great piece of misinformation there by the commentators on the ownership situation

  77. ShowMeYourHawk

    Chris Myers, with a 180 degree take on the Seahawks owner fan take….

  78. Mick

    Mone and Nwosu answer back immediately.

  79. Roy Batty

    They keep this up, Murray might go into patented panic mode and start playing streetball.

  80. Big Mike

    I thought he was gonna squirt out right there and run for 30

  81. Rob Staton

    Kyler Murray looks absolutely dreadful

    • Rob Staton

      As in… looks like he might quit football soon dreadful

      • ShowMeYourHawk

        I mean, the Oakland A’s could use him…

      • Roy Batty

        When a teammate has to console you, in the first quarter, and the game is still tied…that is not good.

        • Rob Staton

          Serious Andrew Luck vibes here

        • SEAhemoth82

          When the team has to put in a contract clause that mandates film study, that’s never a good investment.

        • cha

          Did Chris Myers say Kyler sat at his locker for an hour after the loss last week with his head in his hands? And a teammate had to tell him ‘okay man, short memory, let’s go.’ ?

          Or did I mishear that?

          • Rob Staton

            Yep, he said that

      • Troy D

        Is that just idle speculation or is that a thing?

        • Rob Staton

          It’s me offering an opinion Troy

          Not speculation or a thing

    • Bmseattle

      Yes, and he doesnt appear to have the maturity to respond effectively.

  82. SEAhemoth82

    Nwosu, the ONLY consistent player on Defense, Chris Meyers.

  83. Big Mike

    Interesting that they have DJ returning punts now instead of Tyler. Must have worked on that this week. I’m surprised they ever put a veteran and getting older kind of guy like Tyler back there in the 1st place.

  84. Trevor

    Serious question. Through the first 6 games do the Hawks have the best QB in the division?

  85. Chris

    Uncle will looks reborn with geno

    • ShowMeYourHawk

      It also helps he hasn’t yet had his annual season-ender. *knocks on wood*

  86. Roy Batty

    I have to say it once again: How refreshing to have a QB who gets his team to the line with 15 seconds left on the game clock.

    • Big Mike

      💯

      • Roy Batty

        The good ole days of watching Russ break from the huddle with 10 seconds left, slowly walk to the line, looking around, then calling a timeout are LONG GONE.

  87. Old but Slow

    Why can’t the Fox announcers identify when players make a play. Who made the tackle? Who caught that punt? Who is playing? Terrible.

  88. ShowMeYourHawk

    Eskridge sighting. DRINK!

    • Big Mike

      Why ahead of you man

  89. Chris

    I love how geno gets everyone involved

  90. Roy Batty

    Noah Fant with the perfect block…on Walker.

  91. ShowMeYourHawk

    Fant with the tackle in the backfield. SMH

  92. Big Mike

    That is twice we have failed going up the middle on 3rd and short can we please try something else Waldron

  93. Chris

    We can’t seem to block on 3rd and short

  94. Trevor

    Love Walker as a lead RB but the Hawks could use a short yardage power back in this years draft.

    • Rob Staton

      There are some good ones in 2023…

    • Roy Batty

      They could use interior linemen who blow defenders backwards.

      • Big Mike

        Agree

        • Big Mike

          And so does Creed Humphrey

      • Mick

        Draft a C and a G with high picks, hit them like you did with Lucas and Cross and you have the best OL in the NFL in two years.

        • Rob Staton

          QB + DL has to be the sole priority here

          • Kelly

            completely agree

  95. Mick

    I don’t know, I wish we had the guts to throw on 3rd and 2, and to go for it on 4th and 4. But well, we’re ahead.

  96. Troy D

    Dang Walker had that first down if Fant hadnt gotten in his way.Oh well. Like that Walker is getting good work in here. Build his confidence for the long haul. Still disappointed we didnt punch that in.

  97. ShowMeYourHawk

    Pete with no challenge? Amazing.

    • Kyle R

      Tater did his job

  98. Big Mike

    That tackle by Harris saved about 30 yd

  99. Chris

    I thought for sure he threw the flag there

  100. Roy Batty

    Neal was lurking so perfectly. Didn’t get greedy. Let it happen organically.

    • Mick

      That’s why we paid Adams so much money, so Ryan Neal can do his job.

      • Big Mike

        Are you sure you don’t wanna add the word “better” after job in that post

    • Bmseattle

      Give the man 18 million!

      • Roy Batty

        Nah, guy has to have a season ending injury to qualify for that.

        • Bmseattle

          Good point.
          He hasnt earned the nig pay day yet!

          • Bmseattle

            *big

  101. Seattle Person

    Boy…Murray’s body language reminds me of the 7th graders I teach when things don’t go their way.

  102. ShowMeYourHawk

    Pressure? *rubs eyes*

    • cha

      I swear if they blitz Ryan Neal 100 times he’ll get at least 5-7 sacks.

  103. Blitzy the Clown

    That was a decent play by Taylor. He didn’t make the sack, but his get off and upfield rush forced Murray to step up and into Neal.

  104. Trevor

    Wonder if Murray is reconsidering that football vs baseball decision. His body language speaks volumes.

    • Seattle Person

      Especially when a TE has to talk a QB to cheer him up.

  105. Roy Batty

    Parkinson on a seam route, please.

  106. Chris

    Maybe the cardinals should have put a body language clause in Murray’s contract

  107. Blitzy the Clown

    That was weird

  108. Big Mike

    Well Robert Smith your knowledge of Alice In Chains is better than your knowledge of who is playing running back for the Seahawks. DJ Dallas is in his 3rd year

  109. 805Hawk

    I don’t believe a word these announcers say anymore.

    • Rob Staton

      It’s as if they only found out they were doing this game last night

      • SEAhemoth82

        Haven’t Smith and Meyers commentated every Seahawks game this year?

  110. ShowMeYourHawk

    Fant is having himself a game 🤦🏽

  111. Big Mike

    So if that is ruled the catch and fumble did the cardinals get the ball?

  112. Chris

    No way that was a catch

  113. Big Mike

    The Holmgren give up draw play

    • Bmseattle

      Hey now…it worked that one time.

    • Hawk Finn

      Yup. Should’ve rostered Mack for that play

  114. cha

    2nd and 20 and they call a draw play with Deejay Dallas.

  115. Chris

    In fairness they were trying to burn clock

    • Hawk Finn

      Boo. It’s second down. Run a play, get some chunk yardage, make it a manageable 3rd down. Like s grownup HC

  116. Chris

    A Taylor sighting

  117. Bmseattle

    Best play by Taylor all season.

  118. Henry Taylor

    Darrell Taylor sighting!

  119. Matt

    My God the NFC West is atrocious. This is some of the ugliest football I’ve seen.

    • Seattle Person

      The TNF games have been brutal…

      • Matt

        Yes…Thursday’s have been awful too. Wasn’t trying to make it a contest.

        This season, writ large, has been ugly across the league. Such a weird year – this is what I expected the first COVID season to look like.

  120. Roy Batty

    Get outta bonds dude.

  121. Hawk Finn

    You must not watch on Thursday nights

  122. Troy D

    Taylor with a big play there. Tood bad we couldnt get on it but still happy with the defense.

  123. Chris

    Stupid play by a verteran

  124. Kyle R

    Kingsbury has to be on the hot seat and maybe gone after this year if Arizona stays like this right?

    • Big Mike

      Doubt it he just got a new contract as did Murray as did Steve Keim

      • Kyle R

        Good news for Seahawk fans then. I didn’t know he got a new one when Murray did.

  125. Roy Batty

    DK end zone time.

  126. Hawkster

    Seeing a lot of low scoring 1st half football today

  127. ShowMeYourHawk

    Geno’s got speed and decisiveness we’ve not seen at QB in five seasons.

    • Mick

      Love the way Geno played and he is doing a great job running tonight, but Russ gets you a TD for sure in this last drive. Just because he’s having trouble adjusting in Denver doesn’t mean Geno is better than him.

      • Roy Batty

        2022 Russ would have thrown an INT, gotten a 20 yard sack, thrown it in the dirt, ignored a wide open receiver…take your pick.

  128. Rob Staton

    The Seahawks will win this handsomely in the second half

    Arizona’s offense almost looks as bad as our defense has over the last few weeks

    And Murray just isn’t right. His head’s not in the game

    • Hawkster

      Good call, when Murray leaves the building he does not stop at the parking lot.

    • Romeo A57

      This 100%. Something is going on with Klyer. He is still crazy athletic though and that might be enough

  129. Roy Batty

    I hope they incorporate Walker into the passing game 2nd half.

    • Big Mike

      Buy a lotto ticket man

  130. Chris

    I would like to see some no huddle offense in the 2nd half

  131. STTBM

    Watching PeteBall fail to get Metcalf the ball or put up a single TD is like watching paint dry…

  132. Troy D

    Alright lets get things sorted on offense at halftime and go win this game. Really be nice to get going right out of the gate and then pin our ears back with a 13 point lead in such a scenario.

  133. Henry Taylor

    Pretty good half defensively

  134. Hawkster

    That Smith-Schuster non-tackle in the KC game was whole firkin tea party.

  135. Chris

    Robert smith needs to do some homework. He doesn’t even know what players are on what team

  136. Bmseattle

    Alexander was a great RB…but i wouldnt call him “powerful”.

    • Big Mike

      Is Big Walt in the ROH? If not, as much as I enjoyed Alexander, Walt should be there first cuz he opened a lot of those holes.

      • Rob Staton

        Walt was inducted in 2014

        • Big Mike

          Thanks Rob. I didn’t remember that but in my defense I’m old.

  137. Roy Batty

    A lot of broken plays today.

  138. Chris

    Offensive line has been trash today

  139. Big Mike

    Nwosu covering Moore. WTF?

    • Big Mike

      I thought we weren’t doing that anymore

      • 805Hawk

        And that wasn’t an isolated incident. Seems like he’s dropped several times today. Kinda need him rushing the passer, right?

    • Mick

      Yeah we cover with the DEs, Brooks plays safety and we (fail to) stop the run with Diggs and the corners. Great D scheme.

  140. ShowMeYourHawk

    Nwosu may be effective as a pass rusher but his coverage skills leave much to be desired.

  141. Chris

    We’re making progress last year it would have been Al woods in coverage

    • Big Mike

      😀

  142. Hawkster

    Mone wit the bend round the corner?

  143. ShowMeYourHawk

    Is something wrong with their kicker? Not sure why KK is forcing the issue on 4th downs?

    • Scot04

      Well if we win, we can thank them for it. Their starting kicker is out, but it’s not like Amendola is that horrible.

    • Tony

      Backup kicker is in for them. Prater out.

    • 805Hawk

      Prater is out. They have some other dude substituting this week.

  144. Chris

    I’m surprised at how bad our oline is against a mediocre cardinals dline

  145. Big Mike

    Was Murray’s initial read covered or was that his only option into triple coverage?

  146. Tony

    diggs, know it’s 4th down and that catch would cost your team 10 yards.

  147. Rob Staton

    Nobody is buying those stupid Meta things

    Stupid advert

  148. Tony

    These announcers suck.

    • Big Mike

      I’m sure this is their 8th string team

      • Tony

        And I don’t blame the nfl one bit for it. But for God’s sake, do your job well.

  149. Big Mike

    Weak assed call but we’ll take it

  150. Mick

    I love this fast game, we should do it more often.

  151. ShowMeYourHawk

    Eskridge. DRINK!

  152. Chris

    So much penetration in the run game today

  153. jed

    Some bad pro-Seahawk reffing going on

    • Big Mike

      💯

  154. Blitzy the Clown

    I love this kid

    Walker making me forget about Breese Hall

    • Big Mike

      😀 l

  155. 805Hawk

    Refs bailing them out right now.

  156. Henry Taylor

    Good lord Ken

  157. Big Mike

    Are we gonna screw up another touchdown opportunity here?

    • Big Mike

      SIGH

  158. Chris

    Imagine if walker could get to the l.o.s without dodging 3 guys

  159. Roy Batty

    Move up in the pocket, Geno.

  160. 805Hawk

    No need to re-sign Penny next year. KWIII is going to be just fine.

  161. ShowMeYourHawk

    Ugh. Looking like #3 on that down.

    • Big Mike

      He looked like someone who didn’t have an open receiver

      • ShowMeYourHawk

        Was more an indictment of his decision to stay deep in the pocket than to move up or run.

  162. Trevor

    The OL has struggled today. They have been decent in pass pro all year but as a group they are off today and Geno is not moving as well in the pocket.

  163. Chris

    We really need to find a way to add a center and right guard this offseason

    • cha

      More than once, the guards and tackles are 3 yards behind the LOS and Blythe is all by himself at the LOS as the play ends.

      What’s going on there?

    • Big Mike

      Creed Humphrey liked your post

  164. Troy D

    Frustrated that Fant didnt go down when he got pushed well out of bounds. Would have been cheeky but sometimes you gottta sell it.

    • STTBM

      The throw was late though too–Geno ran him out of bounds.

  165. Chris

    Seems like the cards are always good at confusing our oline

  166. cha

    Coby with the strip!

  167. ShowMeYourHawk

    Rookie magic!!!!

  168. Mick

    Looks like we drafted Maxwell and Sherman.

  169. Matt

    We are gonna limp out way into a wild card spot, aren’t we?

    • 805Hawk

      And Pete will say we are so close to a championship.

      • Matt

        That’s my concern.

        • 805Hawk

          100%

        • Roy Batty

          The NFC East might not let that happen.

  170. Hawkster

    woolen just knifed for the recovery

  171. Blitzy the Clown

    Bryant with the forced fumble and Woolen with the recovery!

    The young guns havin some fun!

  172. HOUSE

    COBY!!! He is proving to be a fumble-causing machine!

  173. Big Mike

    Cobe is playing out if position but he does seem to have a knack for making big plays.

  174. dand393

    This is becoming a thing with Bryant forcing fumbles and woolen recovering them

  175. Roy Batty

    Kyler “Loaf of Bread” Murray.

  176. Troy D

    And who else would recover the ball.Mr. Ball Hawk himself.

  177. Kyle R

    There are worse things than having Gino and bunch of high picks. We could be Arizona and have Murray on a huge contract.

  178. Big Mike

    Now get a touchdown drive and get control of this game offense

    • Big Mike

      SIGH

  179. Bobby54

    And Coby with another assist to Tariq

  180. ShowMeYourHawk

    Can we please get the TE short game going to build rhythm?

  181. Roy Batty

    Lucas a half second behind on the snap.

  182. ShowMeYourHawk

    Lucas looking as bad this game as Cross has most of the season. Growing pains….

  183. STTBM

    Yup, Geno so much better than Wilson…..right…

    Omfg, only a Pete Carrol team could screw up this bad…

    Fire Carrol now!

  184. Chris

    Oline had definitely regressed this game

  185. Henry Taylor

    Fuck sake.

  186. Big Mike

    At least hang on to the ball for God’s sake

    • Big Mike

      Take the damn safety

      • ShowMeYourHawk

        Maybe that wasn’t the called play? 🤪

  187. Blitzy the Clown

    JFC

  188. dand393

    Hey there’s that confused Pete face

    • Hawkster

      Wondering where the gum goes in that pose

    • Kyle R

      We cannot go one damn game this year without a shot of that face

  189. Troy D

    Um what just happened on 3rd and 4th. That looked wrong from the snap. Just take the safety Dickson

  190. Mick

    Sometimes we just seem to have blackout moments.

  191. Roy Batty

    Please don’t force feed DK, Geno. Just play YOUR game.

    • Big Mike

      This x 1000

  192. STTBM

    Coaching has turned an All Pro punter into a fool with the yips….only two points if he just kneels down…what a dumbass…

  193. HOUSE

    Dang it… Come on Dickson

  194. Chris

    Our punt team has cost ud dearly this year

  195. Kyle R

    Isn’t this two games in row for Dickson and the special teams? Almost exactly the same?

  196. Matt

    God bless all of us watching this…I am holding out hope they offer gift cards for watching the whole thing.

    • 805Hawk

      I’m still waiting on mine from the last two TNF games.

  197. Chris

    I’m fairly confident we can find a way to lose this game

  198. ShowMeYourHawk

    Eskridge…. DRINK!!

    • Big Mike

      🍺

  199. Blitzy the Clown

    Geno cool under pressure

  200. HOUSE

    Eskridge is getting a chance to showcase today. I was worried he’d fumble after that hit

  201. Big Mike

    How did Geno ever get rid of that in time?

  202. STTBM

    This is not a Defensive struggle, as TV dolts just referred to it. It’s a battle of inept coaches and dysfunctional offenses…trying to see who can out-Suck the other team…

    • Rob Staton

      It has been a blundering performance from both teams

      • Big Mike

        💯

      • Matt

        Really? I’m inspired (to drink bleach)

      • 805Hawk

        If Matt Prater wasn’t hurt, we’d be losing. Considering how bad Arizona looks, that’s saying something.

    • cha

      Buckle up, that’s what we’re going to hear all week.

      Defense is back, baby!

      Play this disoriented, unmotivated mess of an offense every week and sure your numbers would look good.

  203. Troy D

    Thatt was a big play by Smith to get that to Eskridge. Man he got himseelf rung but good gain.

  204. STTBM

    DK has feet for hands….

    • Big Mike

      Every damned week

  205. Pran

    Why can’t we have Vance Joseph like DC?

    • STTBM

      Because anyone with experience avoids working for Carrol. Quinn, Bradley, Fangio all turned him down. Probably more we don’t know about…

  206. STTBM

    Because no one good will take a job working for Carrol….

  207. Roy Batty

    THE FUTURE!

  208. Blitzy the Clown

    Yessir we are watching the birth of the Walker Era in Seattle

  209. Big Mike

    He did 95% of that on his. Fantastic run

    • Bmseattle

      I hope Pete can resist the temptation to run him into the ground, ala Rawls.

  210. Hawkster

    a capable runner of the football

  211. STTBM

    Hey, Walker is pretty dang good….

  212. Chris

    Speed kills

  213. Henry Taylor

    So I think they makes 4 certified draft hits, plus Bryant and Mafe as probable hits.

    • Big Mike

      Agree

  214. cha

    Goal unlocked

    Goals

    2.Keep the Running Game Afloat

    Rashaad Penny is out. It’s Ken Walker’s gig now.

    • Big Mike

      You da man brother

  215. Troy D

    I think we have ourselves a special running back. He has that “it” factor.

    • Hawkster

      No doubt, the way he set the defender up was pretty special.

  216. Chris

    6.9 yds per rush even with atrocious run blocking

    • Bmseattle

      Crazy.
      He’s been stuffed in the backfield 4 or 5 times

    • STTBM

      And he’s doing it while playing through an obvious groin injury. Stud.

      Toughness everyone in the NFL has, but durability is gold.

  217. Chris

    If you count nickel corner as a starter we have had 6 draft picks starting this year

  218. SEAhemoth82

    KWIII has filthy cuts, he is so explosive when he hits that second gear. He reminds me of Saquon when gets outside and hits the second level on the outside of the numbers.

  219. Blitzy the Clown

    So Mone hasn’t been the worst DLer today. Certainly his effort has been there.

    Not a bad sub for Woods.

  220. Chris

    It’s hard to keep momentum with this defense

  221. ShowMeYourHawk

    Whose f*cking assignment was that Brown reception?

  222. Big Mike

    This is just a dumbass coaching decision. You need 10 points to tie you gonna have to have the field go at some point no matter how crappy your kicker is been you have to have it

    • Big Mike

      If even if it works it’s a poor decision

      • Big Mike

        And even dumber if it doesn’t work

      • Scot04

        Totally agree. Even if they were 2-4 on field goals they’d only be down 4.

        • Scot04

          Instead 0-4 on going for it.

  223. Scot04

    Please Pete don’t trade picks to bolster or team after a win giving you false hopes.
    Obviously as a Seahawks fan I want wins, but just don’t trust Pete; & want to still have all our picks to continue this rebuild.
    We definitely are a long ways away & in need of a more than just a few more pieces to build around.
    Seahawks need to keep their focus on development & the long game.

    • 805Hawk

      Oh dear Lord. Please no.

    • Big Mike

      Well said

  224. Chris

    Damn take the pts arizona

  225. STTBM

    Jefferson flashing a couple times today..

  226. Chris

    How is dinglesberry still an nfl coach?

  227. STTBM

    Man, Oline flat sucks today…

  228. Chris

    Our oline needs to be flogged after this performance

    • Big Mike

      I would like to also see some more quick hitting passes against a team that blitzes a lot. When we have gone to the tight ends it has worked

  229. ShowMeYourHawk

    Ugh. What happened to the offense?

  230. Blitzy the Clown

    Ooof Charles Cross

  231. SEAhemoth82

    Markus Golden took Cross’ lunch money on that snap.

  232. HOUSE

    I am thankful that was just a sack and not a fumble or bad throw away… Let’s jam them up here

  233. Bmseattle

    So…Pere says he’s never experienced coaching such a terrible defense before?
    Talk about selective/short term memory!

  234. Troy D

    Big punt that time. OL definitely has some work to do next week and some tape to study

  235. Peter

    Hate games like this where we let a goofy a– team hang around warmonger than necessary.

    • Peter

      Way longer than necessary

  236. Trevor

    I can’t remember the last weekend I have seen this much bad offensive football. League wide the offensive play has been dreadful. Almost as bad a pre-season.

    • AlaskaHawk

      Yes the Bills / Chiefs game was boring the first half.

  237. ShowMeYourHawk

    I’m predicting that Pete will see the D’s performance in the 4th and announce that the issues are fixed.

  238. Big Mike

    TD drive time. Put it away guys

    • Blitzy the Clown

      D’oh!

  239. Big Mike

    That would’ve been the perfect time for a play action pass because they were expecting the run

  240. Troy D.

    Taylor and Poona have done more today than the first 5 games combined.

  241. STTBM

    How the hell Geno getting all these passes batted down when he’s like six inches taller than Wilson?!

  242. Blitzy the Clown

    👀👀

    Field Yates
    @FieldYates
    After multiple arguments with coaches on the sidelines, Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilkes has kicked WR Robbie Anderson out of the game and sent him to the locker room.
    3:27 PM · Oct 16, 2022

    • Trevor

      Would be a good WR3 if you can get him for a Day 3 pick.

    • Trevor

      Forget what I said. Just saw his cap hit.
      No thanks.

  243. Big Mike

    Please get the challenge flag out now Pete

  244. Scot04

    Well as long as we don’t do a Baltimore like blown lead; we should be ok.
    Also what was Coleman thinking. SMH

    • cha

      Isn’t it the second time this season Coleman had a punt return brain freeze?

      • Scot04

        Yep

  245. ShowMeYourHawk

    What a stupid rule.

  246. Blitzy the Clown

    Coby Bryant is having a very nice day

  247. ShowMeYourHawk

    Double whammy. Taylor down and it stops the clock.

  248. AlaskaHawk

    Defense looking gassed. They just need to hold up for five more minutes.

  249. Scot04

    Why didn’t the clock stop after Kyler ran out of bounds?

  250. Chris

    It gives our defense a breather

  251. Chris

    This is the game

  252. Roy Batty

    Rookie of the year.

  253. Bmseattle

    Woolen!!

  254. Henry Taylor

    Objectively bad to pick that off, but I’m cool with maintaining the streak

  255. Blitzy the Clown

    All he does is catch INTs!

  256. Big Mike

    Woolen be like “yeah throw it on me”

  257. AlaskaHawk

    Yee haw Woolen, he is the new beginning!

  258. ShowMeYourHawk

    We are all witnesses to the Woolen era.

  259. Chris

    Damn our rookies are bad ass

  260. HOUSE

    I’m digging these young CBs. Coby forces fumbles and Woolen gets INTs

  261. Hawkster

    Tall, long, fast, in position and with hands.

  262. Troy D

    Idont care that he should have just batted it down. BALL HAWK

  263. KennyBadger

    I thought Seattle was the worst qb/coach combo in the division but I’d rather have this situation than arizonas.

  264. Trevor

    6 games into his career Woolen is the best rookie CB I have seen in years. He is a true game changer on defense. Scarey part is that he is still learning the position.

    • Big Mike

      With his speedy has a chance to be a true lock down corner

      • Peter

        That and gets after it on all phases of the defense.

  265. Scot04

    Kyler looking like we broke him.

  266. Bmseattle

    Im happy to not see any more of Walker, at this point

    • Roy Batty

      💯

  267. Peter

    2021 Seahawks: 11 interceptions

    Tariq Woolen: 4 interceptions

    Dudes gonna end up on an island with a sign that reads “no fly zone”

  268. Roy Batty

    Wow, DK has gold overlays on his canine teeth.

    That’s a new one.

    • Big Mike

      WRs, smdh
      Tyler is like the anti-WR

  269. Big Mike

    Well Robert Smith may be a crappy announcer but he knows his music

    • Robbie

      That killed me LOL

    • ShowMeYourHawk

      He was in The Cure, you know…

    • Hawkster

      Is there like an interview process or a talent search or anything that stands in my way of becoming an announcer?

      • Tony

        You an ex nfl player? Cuz pretty sure that’s the first question. Got Witten a job and he couldn’t complete a sentence.

  270. Robbie

    HAHAHAHA Did anyone hear that announcer before the commercial break….yells “she’s an American girl. ” the other announcer….”WHAT?”

    • Big Mike

      Guessing Chris Myers isn’t a music fan

      • Bmseattle

        Well,Tom Petty is a pretty obscure reference. 😏

        • Big Mike

          😀

    • Roy Batty

      Man how far have the Cardinals fallen.

      Walker and Woolen are the future.

      Dickson needs some therapy.

      And get ready for a smug Pete Carroll in the presser.

  271. Chris

    Cards are totally ignoring geno on that rollout after the hand off

  272. SEAhemoth82

    Somebody give Kyler Murray a baseball mitt and an Oakland A’s hat, maybe it will make him feel better about his situation.

  273. Roy Batty

    Dickson is rattled.

  274. Chris

    Hey guys Pete fixed our defense! Nothing to worry about from here on out😎

  275. Troy D

    Man what a nice foundation hisdraftt class is. They are all rookies who will struggles but so many of them look to have bright futures through 6 games.

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