David Moore, Seattle Seahawks.
Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks.
Another Sunday, another win for the Seattle Seahawks. Ho-hum. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was a game in the right direction for the Seahawks. They remained focused and didn’t give an inferior opponent much hope for an upset.
It only took six plays for Seattle to score after a Ryan Fitzpatrick interception on Miami’s first possession of the game. The Seahawks moved downfield effectively against Miami’s beleaguered D. Seattle’s offense was able to break through once more before half time, on a four-play, 75-yard drive. The highlight was a beautiful 53-yard pass play from Russell Wilson to David Moore, down the left sideline, which put Seattle deep into enemy territory. The best Miami could muster on offense for the half was a trio of field goals. Seattle led 17-9 at the break.
As they have done all year, the Seattle Seahawks were on fire to start the second half. Unfortunately, they didn’t score this week as Wilson was intercepted in the end zone. That marked the second time in the game Seattle drove into the red zone and came away with no points. The second half was played fairly evenly. Miami added a pair of field goals but didn’t score a touchdown until their final possession of the game. Meanwhile, the Seahawks efficient offense hit paydirt twice.
Those who expected the Seahawks to fly five-and-a-half hours and over 2,700 miles into Miami and dominate were disappointed. What they got was a steady performance by a quality team and, more importantly, a league-leading fourth win.
Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks.
Coming into the game, the Seattle Seattle Seahawks were without several key defensive players from their lineup. Not many teams could survive missing their best, safety, cornerback, weak-side linebacker, pass rusher, and nickelback, no matter who their opponent was, nor how awesome an offense they possess. Other players from the Seahawks defense needed to take their game up a notch to win. In the end, it was the team’s two leaders who did just that.
Linebackers K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner each had their best games of the season. Wright seemed to be everywhere. The Seahawks’ longest-tenured player was visible all day, from making hits in the backfield for loss to deflecting passes while in coverage.
Wagner, for his part, was vintage Wagner. In the first three weeks, the defensive captain was content to let Adams make the big plays while he quietly but effectively did his job. Without Adams, Wagner was once again at the forefront. He led the team with 12 tackles (10 solos) and made the type of big hits that have defined his near Hall of Fame career.
DK Metcalf is quickly becoming the best wide receiver this organization has maybe ever had. His performance Sunday makes it back-to-back weeks with 100 yards receiving and four straight games with over 90 yards. Sunday’s 106 yard total brings Metcalf’s average to 100.75 yards per game. He only had one regular-season game with over 100 yards in 2019.
Using quick and easy math (my strong suit) that puts him on pace for over 1600 yards. In 2019, that many yards would have seen him finish second to Michael Thomas. It could very well lead the NFL this year.
One other thing to note. On the Seattle Seahawks second play of the game, Metcalf shredded Miami for 37 yards. In every game this year, he’s had at least one play of over 35 yards. Metcalf is definitely becoming “Big Play D.K.” for Seattle.
Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks.
This week the Seattle Seahawks defense took a step in the right direction. It’s probably the most important and obvious step, points allowed. After yielding over 30 points in each of the last two weeks, the Seahawks “held” Miami to 23 points. It was the lowest total they’ve allowed all season.
However, as they have done in every game so far, Seattle gave up another 400+ yards of offense. One of the biggest differences this week, over the past three, is that the Seahawks only allowed Miami into the end zone once. Many coaches don’t mind the yards against as long as it doesn’t lead to touchdowns.
For example, Tony Dungy’s Indianapolis Colts teams of the 2000s gave up lots of yards to their opponents. What made their defense good was that they didn’t give up many touchdowns. It was the classic “bend but don’t break. type of defense” I’m ok with them giving up all the yards if it results in field goals. Russ and company will be dropping touchdowns all yea when Seattle has the ball.
This Seahawks defense still has plenty of work to do. Health is a factor. They are a far better unit with Jamal Adams, Quinton Dunbar, and Jordyn Brooks on the field. As long as they don’t lose any more talent on that side of the ball, the Seahawks will improve. It will happen in small increments, and 12s will need to be patient.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks.
Russell Wilson is the best QB in the NFL. Yeah, I said it. In other words, he’s better than Patrick Mahomes. Taking physical ability out of the equation (arm vs. legs), Wilson is a master of the other aspects of NFL football. He knows what to do on the field and when to do it.
12s know Carroll would love to run the ball and keep stuffing it down his opponent’s throat all day. Because Russ plays such a heads up game, he has earned head coach Pete Carroll’s trust. It’s not easy for the coach to loosen his grip on the offense, but he’s given Russ much more leeway to cook in his kitchen.
RW3 is about to enter rarefied air for the Seahawks organization. Sunday was the 18th time that Wilson threw for 300 or more yards in a game. He’s one game away from tying Matt Hasselbeck for the most in team history. It’s a record RW3 should own by the end of the month.
With two more scores through the air, Wilson is currently on pace to throw 64 touchdowns. That total would eclipse Hall of Famer Peyton Manning’s record of 55, set in 2013, by nine. Russ probably won’t throw that many touchdowns this year, but I’ll bet on him breaking the record. Sunday wasn’t his best day of 2020, but of his 34 pass attempts, he still threw two TDs. If Wilson keeps up that many attempts, expect it to rain touchdowns in the Emerald City.
Check back with us on Tuesday for our Dud and Stud of the week.