Seattle Seahawks – 37
San Francisco 49ers – 18
This simple sentence easily tops the list of understatements for the 2016 Seattle Seahawks.
Following the aftermath of a dominant Seattle victory (that still wasn’t even close to as competitive as the final score might indicate), it is hard not walking away from that game without feeling a long-overdue sense of pride in the Seahawks offense.
After watching two weeks of a team that struggled to even pick up a first down, we witnessed a renewed Hawks squad rack-up over 400 yards of offense.
Prior to this game, the only touchdown scored came at the 59th minute against Miami. Yesterday, the first points came in 0:43 seconds as 4th year pro Christine Michael warped into the end zone on a 41 yard touchdown run, his first career score. Michael would only have to wait minutes to record his second career touchdown as the Seahawks were able to get him in the endzone merely minutes later.
Through the first two weeks, the offense had only 4 total plays of 20+ yards. Against listless San Francisco they had 4… by halftime. Scoring 24 points in the first half easily surpassed the measly 15 through the first two weeks.
Russell Wilson was looking like his old pre-sprained ankle self. His mobility and accuracy was displayed in such a way that was clearly absent from last weeks’ 9-3 loss in the Coliseum.
The offense found very little resistance en route to a 37-3 lead. Michael displayed brilliant vision and quick decision making as he accumulated 106 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Russ was able to avoid pressure while delivering strikes down the field to Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham, including am 18-yard throw on the run to Graham.
Speaking of Jimmy Graham, welcome back! After tearing his patella tendon in Week 12 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the concern of him not being able to return to his former self was one that plagued the Pacific Northwest this off-season.
However, yesterday’s performance has given everyone reason to believe that we may be able to put those fears to bed. Graham was nearly unstoppable, racking up six catches for 100 yards even, including a beautiful 40 yard dime into double coverage where Graham wrestled a near interception away from safety Eric Reid.
Yesterday was his 15th 100 yard game. To Seattle’s coaching staff’s credit, they have been doing an excellent job easing Graham back into action. Against the Miami Dolphins, one catch for 11 yards.
Last week versus the Rams, three catches for 42 yards. It appears that the Seahawks are figuring out how to use Jimmy Graham in the way Jimmy Graham is intended to be used: as one of the best receiving threats in the NFL.
The Good: In this game, there is a lot of good to go around. However I will narrow it down to two: the Legion of Boom and Doug Baldwin. Overshadowed by the pitiful performances offensively versus the Rams and Dolphins has been the lights out play by the defense. You can say that “it’s just the Dolphins and the Rams” but holding two NFL teams to 19 points in two weeks, only one touchdown, and no turnovers? That is impressive for anyone. Through three and a half quarters San Francisco could not move the ball. Their only three points came from a short field produced by a Graham fumble. The 9ers got some garbage time points produced at the very end when the Seahawks were giving it probably 5% effort while up by 34 points. The other major positive for this game was Doug Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin is continuing to show the nation that he deserves to be at least in the conversation for one of the League’s top receivers. Eight catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. Baldwin was able to get consistently open while displaying excellent route running and his great hands. Baldwin joined Graham by accumulating 100 receiving yards in the first half.
The Bad: For anyone who watched this game, you’re probably wondering why I haven’t mentioned his apparent knee injury. No, it’s not that I’m so nervous and I’m in denial. Watching Russell go down with what is being reported as a sprained left MCL put the hearts of every 12 immediately into their throats. This unfortunately might be something we all experience each game from here on out. Especially considering that he is still recovering from a right ankle sprain. The only positive take-away here is that Russell returned one play later, showing off immense toughness, and that the team is reporting he should be good to go for next week.
The Ugly: San Francisco’s “defense.” My word, this must have been beyond painful to watch for the Bay Area faithful. Here is a disgusting statistic: In the last two weeks, the 49ers defense has allowed two 100+ receivers and one 100 yard rusher in the same game. Yesterday in Seattle, and last week in Charlotte to the Panthers. When was the last time they allowed 300+ yards of offense to only three players? Exactly 971 games prior to last week. This is a franchise historically bad defense. Watching a unit that was one of the League’s best merely three years ago give up 83 points in seven days is just beyond sad.
Looking Ahead: Next week the Seattle Seahawks travel across the country to the Meadowlands, the site of their Super Bowl XLVIII win, to face off against the New York Jets. This is a matchup that is hard to gauge given how radically different both teams look in week three compared to week two. The Jets went from scoring 37 points behind a brilliant performance by Ryan Fitzpatrick, showing off some “Fitzmagic”, to barely scoring three points against the Chiefs. Oh, and Fitzpatrick throwing six interceptions. This team looks incredibly inconsistent, but their defense is anchored by an excellent front seven, which should give Seattle’s porous offensive line a handful even if first round pick Germain Ifedi makes his season debut. I expect a low scoring, ugly affair between these two teams. Given how Russ’ mobility played a large factor into Seattle’s inability to move the ball against Los Angeles, if I were Pete Carroll I would truly consider sitting Wilson to give him extra time to heal. The season is a marathon, not a sprint.
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