Tag: boye mafe

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Bills

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Bills

The Seattle Seahawks’ defense will face a difficult test against a high-octane Buffalo Bills offense in Sunday’s Week 8 contest. The Bills are currently averaging a fifth-best 28.8 points per contest, and a 19th-ranked 321 yards per game. We’ve conjured up three bold predictions for Seattle’s defense versus Sean McDermott’s squad.

Ernest Jones leads the defense in tackles

Seahawks general manager John Schneider upgraded Mike Macdonald’s defense by acquiring linebacker Ernest Jones IV from the Tennessee Titans for Jerome Baker and a draft pick. Jones will be playing MIKE linebacker in Seattle, and he joins the defense having made 44 tackles for the Titans. He’s a playmaker that could lead Sunday’s game in tackles.

The Seahawks force another fumble

Macdonald’s defense made a big-time play in the dominant victory over the Atlanta Falcons last weekend When Derick Hall turned a Boye Mafe strip-sack into a 36 yard scoop-and-score. The Bills have only fumbled twice this season, but Seattle has a core pass-rushing group together that creates chaos in the backfield. Look for Macdonald’s opportunistic defense to create a turnover or two.

Josh Allen throws his first interception of the season

The Bills are the only team yet to throw an interception. Allen has avoided a turnover via the air while ranking 17th among quarterbacks in passing attempts (189). The Seahawks have recorded a middling four interceptions, and could force Allen into his first misfire of the campaign.

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Seahawks are starting to properly utilize Dre’Mont Jones

Seahawks are starting to properly utilize Dre’Mont Jones

The Seattle Seahawks entered the season attempting to utilize veteran defender Dre’Mont Jones as more of an edge rusher. Traditionally more of an interior defender throughout his career, there have been clear-cut growing pains for Jones this season. He did not record his first sack of the 2024 campaign until Week 3.

Jones followed up that QB takedown with another in the Week 4 defeat to the Detroit Lions. Jones had his third sack of the season in Sunday’s blowout victory over the Atlanta Falcons. In Jones’ first two games, Pro Football Focus credited him with recording four measly pressures. Over the previous two contests, the former Ohio State Buckeye accumulated 13 pressures.

Jones had five pressures against the Falcons. He had a season-high six pressures against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Head coach Mike Macdonald recently discussed Jones’ incremental gains.

The likes of Mafe, Hall, Leonard Williams have been incredibly productive for the Seahawks this season. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II is coming on strong after returning from a hamstring injury. If Jones gets going, Seattle’s defensive line will elevate to elite territory.

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Seahawks had core pass rush together for first time vs. Falcons since Week 1

Seahawks had core pass rush together for first time vs. Falcons

The Seattle Seahawks have dealt with injuries all season long, particularly across their defensive line. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II returned in Sunday’s Week 7 win over the Atlanta Falcons after missing the previous three contests (all losses) with a hamstring injury. Veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams missed Week 4 with a rib injury. EDGE rusher Boye Mafe missed Weeks 4 and 5 with a knee injury.

Miraculously, Sunday’s win over the Falcons marked the first time since Week 1 this season the defensive line had Murphy, Williams, Mafe, and Derick Hall available together. Unsurprisingly, Mike Macdonald’s defense was dominant as a result. They sacked Kirk Cousins three times and forced him into three turnovers. The Seahawks also posted a pressure rate of 55%.

Hall recorded four pressures, tied for his second-most in any single-game showing this season. Hall also scored the first touchdown of his career on a fumble return as the result of a Mafe strip-sack. Mafe now has four sacks and 24 total pressures this campaign.

Murphy was anxious to return and play against a Falcons team that passed on him in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus assigned Murphy a season-best overall defensive grade of 74.6. Williams accumulated two pressures and recorded his third sack of the season.

The Seahawks obviously don’t have Uchenna Nwosu available, but he’s expected to be sidelined for a significant chunk of the season. In his absence, the quartet of Murphy II, Williams, Mafe, and Hall have become Macdonald’s most effective pass-rushing group. They finally played together again on Sunday, and they were outstanding.

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Seahawks snap losing streak, defeat Falcons 34-14

Seahawks snap losing streak, defeat Falcons 34-14

The Seattle Seahawks are finally off the schneid! After losing their last three-straight games, Seattle is finally back in the win column with a dominant 34-14 road victory over the Falcons. It was easily their most complete game of the season.

Atlanta had been one of the hotter teams in football as of late, as they had won their previous three games, including last week’s by a blowout. However, against the Seahawks, they could not really find their footing.

Seattle quickly built up a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Falcons were able to make it 10-7, but right before the half expired the Seahawks made it a 10-point game once more thanks to Geno Smith finding DK Metcalf for a 31-yard touchdown. Atlanta did manage to pull within three once more, making it a 17-14 game in the third quarter… but that was as close as they would get for the remainder of the outing.

Seattle responded by Smith finding the birthday man himself, Kenneth Walker, for a 17-yard receiving touchdown. Once more, it was a 10-point game at 24-14, and the Seahawks poured it on from there.

Atlanta’s first three drives of the fourth quarter all ended in disaster. At midfield, Boye Mafe forced a fumble of Kirk Cousins, and Derick Hall scooped the ball up for a 64-yard touchdown to make it 31-14. On the ensuing drive for the Falcons, Cousins pass bounced off wide receiver Drake London’s hands and into Julian Love’s… who secured his first interception since Week 1.

Seattle turned that interception into three more points. Finally, the last Falcons drive Cousins led was once again ended abruptly thanks to a Coby Bryant interception… his first in his career. After that, rookie Michael Penix Jr. took over and had his first regular season snaps of his career. The game was effectively over by this point.

The Seahawks secured a much-needed win, stopping the bleed. They improve to 4-3, and keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, depending on how San Francisco’s game against Kansas City plays out, Seattle could theoretically move back into sole possession. However, that is merely a hypothetical. What matters is they did not lose any ground.

Geno Smith was highly efficient, completing 18-of-28 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Walker had 69 yards and two total touchdowns, and DK Metcalf led the team with 99 receiving yards and a score.

Next up: a return to Lumen Field to host the Buffalo Bills. At the moment, they have a multiple score lead over the Tennessee Titans late in the fourth quarter. Assuming the Bills can hang on, they will improve to 5-2, giving the Seahawks another considerable challenge.

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Falcons run game could give Seahawks defense fits on Sunday

Falcons run game could give Seahawks defense fits on Sunday

The Seattle Seahawks defense has struggled against the run throughout the early portion of the 2024 season. Mike Macdonald’s unit has allowed 868 rushing yards through six contests, fifth-most across the entire league. The defense is currently allowing 5.0 yards per carry, fourth-worst in the NFL. Starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson recently discussed those struggles.

On paper, the matchup against the Atlanta Falcons’ rushing attack in Sunday’s upcoming Week 7 contest doesn’t look particularly scary. The Falcons are currently averaging a 21st-best 113.7 rushing yards per game. Their 682 total rushing yards rank a middling 16th in the NFL, and their four rushing touchdowns are tied for 23rd.

The advanced metrics are however far better. Starting running back Bijan Robinson is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has forced a missed tackle rate of 19.2%, according to data collected by Chris Trapasso. Robinson is also averaging 2.72 yards after contact per attempt, and is enjoying an overall success rate of 53.7 percent.

Robinson’s backup Tyler Allgeier is heavily involved and has been equally as impressive. Allgeier is averaging a team-high 5.5 yards per carry and has forced a missed tackle rate of 31.3%. That’s extremely concerning for a Seahawks defense that has struggled with missed tackles. Atlanta’s No. 2 back is also averaging 3.90 yards after contact per attempt, with an overall success rate of 60.8 percent.

Macdonald’s defense must display a gap-discipline game while showcasing better wrap-up tackling abilities. The matchup against Atlanta’s rushing attack is more difficult than the basic numbers indicate. Seattle must be ready for a dog fight in the trenches.

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Seahawks Week 7 injury report: Byron Murphy II returns to practice

Seahawks Week 7 injury report: Byron Murphy II returns to practice

Injuries have been the name of the game for the NFL this season, especially when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks. After playing three games in an eleven day stretch, the team was in desperate need of some time off. Unfortunately, it appears the extra rest didn’t exactly heal the team up.

Safety Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve, no improvement to Abe Lucas, and now the injury report includes the right half of Seattle’s already decimated offensive line.

The only bit of good news is Byron Murphy II has returned to practice in a limited capacity. But that’s just about where it ends for Wednesday’s injury report.

The full report can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • T Stone Forsythe – Hand
  • G Anthony Bradford – Toe
  • CB Tre Brown – Ankle
  • CB Riq Woolen – Ankle
  • WR Laviska Shenault – Back

Limited Participation: 

  • C Connor Williams – Chest
  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • DT Byron Murphy II – Hamstring
  • DE Leonard Williams – Knee
  • S Jerrick Reed II – Knee

Full Participation: 

  • S Julian Love – Hamstring/Quad

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Week 6 preview and prediction: Seahawks vs 49ers

Week 6 preview and prediction: Seahawks vs 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks are in the first losing streak of the Mike Macdonald era. They will look to get off the schneid on Thursday night against the 2-3 San Francisco 49ers – a team they have lost to for five-straight games.

Despite the recent success San Francisco has had against Seattle, judging by fans online it does not seem as if anyone is too confident in their team… on either side. Currently, the Seahawks remain in first place in the NFC West, but they mainly have the Arizona Cardinals to thank for this. Arizona upset the heavily injured 49ers 24-23 on Sunday, keeping Seattle on top of the division despite their own brutal loss.

San Francisco has become a walking wounded squad. Star defensive lineman Javon Hargrave has been lost for the year, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year in Christian McCaffrey is still on injured reserve. The Niners have struggled in the red zone this season without McCaffrey, but they are still able to run the ball well behind the legs of Jordan Mason.

Unfortunately, Seattle’s weaknesses along their own defensive front in regards to stopping the run. The Giants gashed them for 175 yards as a team on Sunday, and rookie Byron Murphy II will be missing his third-straight game.

However, the Niners have equal vulnerability on the ground. They key for Seattle is if they will be able to get their own rushing attack going. On Sunday, the Seahawks ran 58 plays and only seven were called runs. This is unacceptable with a healthy Kenneth Walker III in the mix, especially when the game against the Giants was either tied or within a score for three full quarters.

Being able to establish the run will be crucial for a Seahawks offensive line struggling mightily to protect Geno Smith. Having the men up front move forward more than backwards, taking pressure off themselves and their quarterback. The Niners may not have Hargrave, but Nick Bosa is more than terrifying enough.

Seattle’s defense may not be as injured as they were against the Lions, but they will be without cornerback Riq Woolen. They will have Boye Mafe back to help bring pressure to Brock Purdy, but San Francisco has too many weapons for a shorthanded secondary.

The 49ers are desperate. They are a veteran team with a well-established system and culture. Seattle could make this more competitive than they have in the last five meetings, but San Francisco is still a touch matchup.

Prediction: 49ers over Seahawks 28-21

Several Seahawks defenders at risk of missing TNF vs. 49ers

Several Seahawks defenders at risk of missing TNF vs. 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks must swiftly place Sunday’s disappointing home defeat to the New York Giants behind them. There’s no rest for the wicked as the Seahawks prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. It’s Seattle’s first NFC West showdown of the campaign, and Mike Macdonald’s squad will put its division lead at risk.

The Seahawks held a walkthrough on Monday as opposed to a traditional practice. Several key defenders were limited or missing altogether. Pass rushers Derick Hall (foot) and Uchenna Nwosu (thigh) did not participate, nor did rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring), and cornerback Riq Woolen (ankle). Boye Mafe (knee), and safeties Julian Love (hamstring) and Rayshawn Jenkins (hand) were limited.

Coach Macdonald has already ruled out Nwosu. Nwosu will miss his sixth consecutive game despite not being placed on IR to begin the season. His injury is obviously taken significantly longer to heal than originally anticipated.

Murphy II is also expected to remain sidelined on Thursday due to the quick turnaround. Murphy was injured in the Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The former Texas Longhorns standout has recorded half a sack and seven pressures this season as a first-year contributor.

Hall and Woolen should see their statuses updated during Tuesday’s practice. Hall leads the Seahawks in sacks with five quarterback takedowns, so his participation on Thursday is imperative. Woolen is Seattle’s No. 1 cornerback and his absence would leave the secondary susceptible to the threats posed by Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

Limited participation for Mafe, Love, and Jenkins indicates they’re on track to play Thursday, but their practice involvement will be worth monitoring on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Seahawks Week 5 inactives: Boye Mafe and Byron Murphy II OUT vs Giants

Seahawks Week 5 inactives: Boye Mafe and Byron Murphy II OUT vs Giants

The Seattle Seahawks are less than two hours from kicking off against the New York Giants in Week 5, but they will be without two of their best players along the defensive line.

Missing their second-straight game will be linebacker Boye Mafe and rookie Byron Murphy II. It is possible both players are sitting due to the impending game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, but we will report more on that speculation later.

The good news is Leonard Williams and Julian Love will be back to face their former team, as well as linebacker Jerome Baker. Joining them will be Uchenna Nwosu, who will take the field for his first NFL action of the 2024 season. The full inactives list for both teams can be seen below.

Seahawks Inactives:

  • C Olu Oluwatimi
  • LB Boye Mafe
  • G Sataoa Laumea
  • T Michael Jerrell
  • DT Byron Murphy II

Giants Inactives:

  • WR Malik Nabers
  • S Anthony Johnson
  • RB Devin Singletary
  • CB Tre Hawkins
  • OLB Bookie Basham
  • G Jake Kubas
  • QB Tommy DeVito (emergency 3rd string QB)

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter for live updates, analysis and highlights during the game!

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Updated pass rush, run stopping metrics for Seahawks after Week 4

Updated pass rush, run stopping metrics for Seahawks after Week 4

The 3-1 Seattle Seahawks have fielded one of the league’s best defenses through four contests. Mike Macdonald’s unit ranks eighth in yards allowed per game (283.8) with splits of seventh-best (167.5) in passing yards and 14th-best in rushing yards (116.3). There are also advanced metrics that paint a picture of Seattle’s early-season defensive performances.

ESPN Analytics developed pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) and run-stop-win-rate (RSWR) metrics to analyze how often defensive linemen win their reps. The Seahawks currently rank 14th in the league in both metrics. Macdonald’s defense is posting a 43% pass-rush-win-rate, and a 31% run-stop-win-rate through four weeks.

Furthermore, there are individual Seahawks defenders faring well in various metrics. Ascending superstar pass rusher Boye Mafe ranks fourth-best among all qualifying EDGE defenders in pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) by winning 30% of his reps. He trails just Myles Garrett (36%), Aidan Hutchinson (34%), and Trey Hendrickson (34%) in that metric.

The Seahawks also have two edge defenders on the run-stop-win-rate (RSWR) leaderboard. Mafe places seventh at 35%, and sophomore defender Derick Hall ranks 10th at 33%. Other players on the list include DeMarcus Lawrence (37%) and Maxx Crosby (37%), so Mafe and Hall are keeping good company here.

Macdonald has completely transformed this Seahawks defense since his arrival. Young studs like Mafe and Hall are thriving under Macdonald’s tutelage. The advanced stats back that statement.

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