The Seattle Seahawks struggled to defend the run in Sunday’s disappointing Week 5 defeat to the New York Giants. The Giants were without starting running back Devin Singletary due to injury. That apparently did not matter, as rookie ball carrier Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushed for 129 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry via 18 attempts in his first career start.
Giants starting quarterback Daniel Jones also scrambled for 38 yards via 11 carries. Seattle simply could not stop a Giants rushing attack that helped their offense win the time of possession battle 37:22 to 22:38. The clock-controlled Giants also gained 24 first downs versus Seattle’s 17.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald had an opportunity to analyze the film of Sunday’s defeat prior to Monday’s regularly scheduled press conference. Macdonald had plenty of deserved criticism for starting linebackers Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson. The cornerbacks and safeties were also included in his statement.
“We’re not leveraging the ball well on the second level as well as we need to be,” Macdonald told reporters during Monday’s meeting with the press. “The second level run fits are falling short,” Macdonald concluded.
Dodson was credited with nine total tackles and a sack versus the Giants. Baker recorded a team-high 14 tackles and added a sack of his own. Pro Football Focus credited Dodson with a season-high defensive grade of 83.0, including a 70.9 as a run defender. Baker had a stellar PFF grade of 72.3 with a run defense score of 82.0
Macdonald clearly did not agree with those assessments and the numbers indicate Baker and Dodson struggled versus the Giants, as the off-ball linebackers often have run-game responsibility. The Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers and their seventh-ranked rushing attack (144.0/game) on Thursday Night Football. Baker and Dodson will be tasked with putting forth bounce-back performances.
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