Tag: boye mafe

All Studs and no Duds from Seahawks’ 20-10 win over Cards

All Studs and no Duds from Seahawks’ 20-10 win over Cards

The Seattle Seahawks took care of business at home against the visiting Arizona Cardinals. It wasn’t pretty, but the most important goal of the afternoon was achieved: win.

Seattle successfully defended home turf from the Cardinals in consecutive years for the first time since the 2010-2011 seasons. I suppose it’s only fitting the final score was 20-10 in favor of the Seahawks.

The Seahawks needed a win to keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams. Fortunately, a win by Seattle and a loss to the Steelers for the Rams helps moves the Seahawks ahead of them in the standings.

It may not have been flashy, but it was a solid win overall. For me, it was all Studs and no Duds from this game.

Before anyone asks, no, I am not putting Geno Smith in the Duds column this week. His two turnovers were bad, but he was fine if not unspectacular the rest of the game. He did move to No. 6 all time in the Seahawks passing touchdown list with his performance. Additionally, Seattle’s red zone offense is still… a work in progress. But this week, we’re going to focus on the positives.

Boye Mafe ranks second in pass rush win rate

Boye Mafe ranks second in pass rush win rate

During the offseason, praises were sung about Seattle Seahawks second year pass rusher Boye Mafe. Head coach Pete Carroll even called him the most improved player from last year. Mafe’s dominance was evident in the August preseason games, and right now, it looks like it’s carrying over to the regular season in a big way.

Right now, Mafe is a terror for opposing offensive lines. Generating all the headlines is Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons, but you won’t have to look too far behind him to find where Mafe ranks.

In Seattle’s suffocating defensive performance on Monday Night Football, Mafe certainly contributed to the onslaught of Daniel Jones. Mafe recorded a sack, and a tackle for a loss.

The improvement of Mafe is critical for a Seahawks pass rush looking to make their mark felt in the league this year.

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5 individual awards for the Seahawks after 4 games played

5 individual awards for the Seahawks after 4 games played

Football is the ultimate team sport, but at the end of the day you need individual players to stand out. Good news: the 2023 Seattle Seahawks have a plethora of ballers on their roster if their first four games of the season are any indication. Going into the bye week the team is 3-1 and has gotten strong performances on both sides of the ball from a combination of a large number of veterans as well as first and second-year players.

Here are five who deserve recognition so far.

Under-the-radar: 6 Seahawks who low-key shined in Week 3

Here are six players who won’t get a ton of attention but deserve some recognition.

The Seattle Seahawks got big games from some of their star players in their victory on Sunday over the Carolina Panthers. That includes a six-catch, 112 yard line from wide receiver DK Metcalf, two touchdowns and 150+ scrimmage yards for running back Ken Walker, 11 tackles and two pass breakups by cornerback Devon Witherspoon and eight tackles plus three quarterback hits for nose tackle Jarran Reed.

While all those guys stood out in obvious ways, the day couldn’t have been won without some outstanding under-the-radar performances. Here are six players who won’t get a ton of attention but deserve some recognition.

  • RB Zach Charbonnet: Walker had a magnificent game, but Charbonnet also contributed to a superb rushing attack. He totaled 46 yards on nine carries (5.1 per attempt) and came just inches away from scoring his first touchdown in the NFL.
  • TE Colby Parkinson: With Will Dissly sidelined by an injury this week, Seattle needed the other tight ends to step up and they did. Parkinson dropped one pass, but he made up for it by catching three others in significant moments.
  • TE Noah Fant: Now the true No. 1 tight end on the depth chart, Fant had another strong outing, catching four of five targets from Geno Smith and totaling 41 yards.
  • LB Jordyn Brooks: A lot of players stood out defensively, but with Bobby Wagner having a relatively quiet game, Brooks stepped up and made a bunch of stops. He racked up nine total tackles – including five solo tackles – plus a QB hit.
  • OLB Boye Mafe: The Seahawks pass rush finally showed some signs of life against the Panthers. It began with Mafe’s first sack of the season and he registered another QB hit later on.
  • K Jason Myers: Seattle’s kicker had a brutal start to the 2023 season, coming into the game just 3/6 on his field goal attempts. However, Myers made up for it and more against Carolina. He went 5/5 on field goals, keeping the Seahawks in the game in the first half while the offense was struggling.

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Seahawks Week 3 injury report: 11 players DNP

Ouch

The Seattle Seahawks are set to face off against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. It will be their second home game of the year, and they will look to claim their first win at Lumen Field.

Unfortunately, injuries are continuing to mount for the Seahawks. An astonishing eleven players did not practice on Thursday. However, it all comes down to their gametime availability on Sunday. Fingers crossed most of these players listed are mostly precautionary.

Here is the full injury report below:

Lions rule out starting left tackle Taylor Decker vs. Seahawks

Yesterday, Detroit downgraded left tackle Taylor Decker to out for today’s game.

The Seahawks will be playing today’s game against the Lions without both of their starting offensive tackles. Right tackle Abe Lucas was placed on injured reserve earlier this week and will undergo surgery on his knee. On Friday, left tackle Charles Cross was also ruled out with his turf toe issue. Pete Carroll has named Stone Forsythe and Jake Curhan as the starters in their place, but the team also signed two new OL this week just in case.

While that sounds bad, there is a silver lining here. The Lions are also going to be down at least one starter for their own offensive line. Yesterday, Detroit downgraded left tackle Taylor Decker to out for today’s game.

This is a significant blow, as Decker is one of the league’s best on the blindside. They could slide Penei Sewell over to start in his place this week, but then they’d be opening up a hole at right tackle. This should represent an opportunity for Uchenna Nwosu and the other edge rushers on the right side of Seattle’s defensive line to get some pressures against a backup.

As for the run game, the Lions tend to rush to their right side behind Sewell anyway. That will put Boye Mafe’s run defense to the test – but he showed a lot of promise in that department during the preseason.

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Seahawks Week 2 injury report: 3 players ruled OUT

Seattle is headed to the Motor City a bit shorthanded

The Seattle Seahawks are going into the Motor City to take on the Detroit Lions, arguably the hottest team in the league at this point in the young season. Sure, it’s only Week 2, but when you knock off the reigning Super Bowl Champions in their building to start the season, you’ve earned plenty of well-deserved hype

Unfortunately, they will be heading in fairly short handed, especially up front. Not only is right tackle Abe Lucas on injured reserve, but now left tackle Charles Cross has been ruled out.

The good news is cornerback Devon Witherspoon is very much on track to make his season debut.

Below is the full injury report from Friday, as well as game status designations.

Seahawks Week 2 injury report: Charles Cross DNP for 2nd straight day

Things looking doubtful for LT Charles Cross

The Seattle Seahawks completed their second practice of the week as the prepare for the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, it looks like they may have to take on the Lions without either tackle.

Right tackle Abe Lucas was placed on injured reserve, and left tackle Charles Cross was out a second-straight practice. Nothing has been ruled in regards to Cross, but this isn’t a good sign.

Positive signs trend for Jamal Adams, who did practice again. Below is the full injury report:

Seahawks Week 2 injury report: 3 players DNP

Some positive news on the injury front

The Seattle Seahawks are licking their wounds following their embarrassing 30-13 home opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams… both literally and figuratively. Unfortunately, right tackle Abe Lucas has been moved to injured reserve. Despite an initial positive(ish) report after the game, it seems Lucas’ knee issue is far more serious than initially thought.

The good news is strong safety Jamal Adams and cornerback Devon Witherspoon are back in action, somewhat. This will be a very telling week to see if they can finally make their 2023 debut against the Detroit Lions.

The full injury report goes as follows: