Carlos Dunlap, Seattle Seahawks sacks Kyler Murray.
Every week the Seattle Seahawks play, Pacific Northwest Sports will present our Dud and Stud of the game. It’s a way to pay tribute to those who played well and call out the players who didn’t.
Seattle got on the board first with a 12 play, 75-yard drive on the game’s opening possession. It culminated with a masterful bit of improv from both Russell Wilson and D.K. Metcalf on a 25-yard touchdown pass. The rest of the first half was mostly a punt-fest. Seattle took a 16-7 lead into the break.
There were plenty more fireworks in the second half. Both teams had several sustained drives. Seattle only had three possessions in the second half and scored points on two of them. The big story, however, was the defense, or more precisely, the pass rush.
Pinned on his 14-yard line, after a nice punt by Michael Dickson, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was pressured by Jamal Adams into throwing the ball away. The pass didn’t go far enough, and he was flagged for intentional grounding.
Seattle came after Murray again on the next play as well, which drew another flag on Arizona. This time it was a holding call on former Seahawks guard JR Sweezy in the endzone, which cost his team two points, putting the Seahawks up 25-21.
Following a free-kick, the Seahawks controlled the clock for almost seven minutes and kicked a field goal to pull ahead by a touchdown. Murray tried to march his team downfield for a tying score.
Unlike the first meeting between the teams, the Seahawks defense eventually shut down Arizona. This time Seattle got a sack on the elusive Kyler Murray (one of three on the night) on fourth down to put the game away with under a minute to go.
This is a tough game to find many duds. I probably would have put Damian Lewis on the list for his several penalties. Then I remembered he’s learning a new position on the fly, and the Seahawks didn’t have anyone better to fill the position. I have no doubt Lewis will improve with more time.
Just like the last time he was on this list, Myers missed an extra point. That’s what he’s paid to do. 12s are grateful for his mastery of field goals this year. One of these days, missed XP’s are going to be the Seattle Seahawks undoing.
Coming into the game, the Seahawks were a very beat up team. It was so bad, that Seattle played the game without their starting center and both starting cornerbacks. For most of the game, it looked like they would get away without further damage. Then the fourth quarter happened.
Within ten minutes, the Seahawks lost tight end Greg Olsen, right tackle Brandon Shell, and running back Bo Scarborough. According to head coach Pete Carroll, Olsen suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. The future Hall of Famer may be done for the year.
Shell’s injury wasn’t as bad as it looked when he left the game midway through the fourth quarter. He was diagnosed with a sprained ankle. With an 11 day break between games, Shell may not miss any time.
A few minutes later, Scarborough fell awkwardly and had to leave the game. He was seen with his leg wrapped, but Carroll gave no update. Even if the big running back is hurt, it won’t affect the Seahawks too much. Chris Carson should be back next week.
Stupid. That’s the only way to describe it. Arizona received the ball to open the second half, trailing 16-14. The cards were called for their third false start of the game, leaving them with a third-and-11 at their 18-yard line. Murray threw a pass well behind DeAndre Hopkins, meaning the Cards were three and out. Not so fast.
After the ball went past Hopkins, Quandre Diggs laid a big hit on Arizona’s All-Pro receiver. Aside from the fact his hit was completely unnecessary, it also came very late. Diggs was flagged for a personal foul on the play.
Arizona picked up 15 yards and a new set of downs. They made the most of their second chance by driving downfield for a go-ahead touchdown. That penalty could have been a big game-changer.
I’ve been hugely critical of Flowers this year. It’s only fair that when he plays well, I recognize him. As mentioned earlier, the Seahawks played the game without Shaquill Griffin and Quinton Dunbar (who was placed on IR). Backups D.J. Reed and Tre Flowers did so much better than Seattle could have hoped for.
The duo plus Ugo Amadi held Arizona’s vaunted receiving trio of Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, and Christian Kirk to a total of 163 yards. Seattle’s “B-team” defensive backs kept the plays in front of them, and there were only two pass plays over 20 yards.
Tyler Lockett sure seems to have the Arizona Cardinals number. While Lockett didn’t have the same 15 reception, 200 yards, and three touchdowns game he had against the Cards a few weeks ago, the veteran receiver was just as valuable.
Thursday night, Lockett led the Seahawks in receiving yards with 67 and added one touchdown. He and Russell Wilson had that special psychic bond again. Lockett caught all nine passes thrown to him. More importantly, every time Russ needed him, number 16 was there to make a play.
Any doubt whether or not one man could make a difference on a football team should be put to rest. Carlos Dunlap‘s production and presence have completely changed the Seattle Seahawks defense. Aside from his personal achievement, which includes three sacks in three games, he’s made other defensive linemen better. Opponents have to double Dunlap so others on the defense can make plays.
He does the little things that most don’t notice. L.J. Collier and Poona Ford are much more visible since Dunlap’s arrival. On the play where Adams forced Murray into an intentional grounding, Dunlap lined up on the right and took the offensive tackle inside. Adams looped around the outside to get into Murray’s face.
Of course, Dunlap’s biggest play was the late fourth quarter sack. He powered past the offensive lineman like a grown man going against a high school player. Murray never had a chance.
The Seattle Seahawks don’t play again until Monday, November 30th at Philadelphia.