Tag: Chris Carson

Week 13 snap counts: Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Seattle Seahawks split their running back duo nearly identically in their Monday night victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

The Seattle Seahawks are officially in first place in the NFC West after defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 37-30, in front of a raucous crowd on Monday Night Football.

One of the biggest successes on Monday was the pairing of Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson in the backfield, as the duo nearly split playing time identically – with Carson getting 39 snaps and Penny getting 35.

Additionally on offense, receiver Tyler Lockett was on the field for 66 snaps despite coming into the game with flu-like symptoms.

Jacob Hollister remains the team’s primary option at tight end, earning 61 snaps, while veteran receiver Jaron Brown saw eight snaps in his first game action after being inactive in each of the last two weeks.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks once again relied heavily on their base 4-3 defense. Mychal Kendricks and Cody Barton had 27 and 11 snaps, respectively, while nickel corner Akeem King had 18 snaps – which equaled 33 percent of Seattle’s defensive plays.

Here is a complete look at the snap counts and playing time percentages for the Seahawks on Monday night.

And for the Vikings:

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Fake punt gives Seahawks rookie Travis Homer his first career carry

The Seattle Seahawks ran a fake punt in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings, giving rookie Travis Homer his first NFL carry.

Seattle Seahawks running back Travis Homer has not had an active role in the team’s offense so far this season. Buried behind Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and at times C.J. Prosise, the rookie has not had a chance to show what he can do coming out of the backfield.

Instead, Homer has made a living as a core special teamer, first primarily as a hitter and more recently as a kick returner, a role he has held the past two games while Tyler Lockett recovered – first from a leg injury and then from the flu.

Monday night’s game not only saw Homer return two kicks for 51 yards, but he also got a surprise carry – on a fake punt the Seahawks ran in the fourth quarter on fourth and two.

Homer not only easily converted a first down, he scampered 29 yards down the sideline to give Seattle excellent field position.

“The guys did it beautifully,” Carroll commented after the game. “The timing was exactly right.”

Homer’s role is steadily growing with the Seahawks, and while he’s still buried on the running back depth chart, his strong play on the special teams will make him an invaluable piece of this team going forward.

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5 takeaways from Seattle’s 37-30 prime-time victory over Minnesota

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football” to move to 10-2. Here are a few takeaways from the game.

The Seattle Seahawks (10-2) had a resounding 37-30 victory against the Minnesota Vikings (8-4) on Monday night that saw them take both the lead in the NFC West and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The Seahawks extend their record in Action Green to 5-0 and now control their own destiny as they await another primetime matchup with the Los Angeles Rams on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 14. Here are a few takeaways from the game.

Chris Carson rebounds again and Rashaad Penny continues production

Seattle set a season-high in rushing yards Monday night with 218 as the backfield duo of Carson and Penny got rolling. Carson rebounded after a disastrous performance last week against Philadelphia with 102 rushing yards and a touchdown along with one catch for seven yards. Rashaad Penny chipped in 74 rushing yards for a rushing TD along with four receptions for 33 yards and a receiving score. The Seahawks had 16 first-down runs, the second most accumulated in a single game by a team this season. Penny has stepped up significantly over the past two games and Carson bounced back extremely well. Fans will hope that they continue to produce throughout the rest of the season, which will be essential to Seattle’s success.

DK Metcalf’s lost fumble gave momentum back to Minnesota

This was a great play by Xavier Rhodes, but the fact of the matter is that Metcalf’s fumble in Minnesota territory gave the Vikings new life and allowed them to score consecutive touchdowns. This came after an improbable play on a fake punt in which Travis Homer picked up 29 yards. The defense should not be excused for collapsing on the drives before and after the fumble, but Metcalf has to be better at protecting the football and reducing his mistakes because he has made a noticeable amount of them in the past three games.

Offense and defense aid each other with 24 unanswered points

Facing a 17-10 deficit, the Seahawks drove for Penny’s rushing touchdown. This was followed by a strip-sack on Kirk Cousins by Rasheem Green and recovery by Bradley McDougald, which set up a field goal to take a 20-17 lead. The defense proceeded to force the Vikings into a three-and-out and the offense took advantage with a 60-yard touchdown pass to David Moore. This was followed by an incredible interception by Tre Flowers, which set up Penny’s 13-yard receiving touchdown for a 34-17 lead. They proceeded to give up 13 unanswered points, but this productive stretch was enough to allow Seattle to hold on and clinch victory.

Self-inflicted wounds nearly cost Seahawks the victory

In addition to the aforementioned Metcalf fumble, Russell Wilson threw, or rather, batted an interception directly to Vikings safety Anthony Harris for a pick-six, giving Minnesota a 14-7 lead after the defense had just forced them into a three-and-out. On the Vikings’ drive before Metcalf’s fumble, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell was left incredibly wide open on a blown coverage for a 58-yard touchdown. Tre Flowers also committed a costly pass interference penalty on Stefon Diggs on third down, which set up Minnesota’s touchdown to make the score 34-30 after a missed extra point by Dan Bailey. The Seahawks could have run away with the victory but committed multiple mistakes that kept the Vikings in the game, along with their opponent’s own stellar play in the second half.

The 2019 Seahawks are still an incredibly resilient bunch

This team keeps finding ways to win. They are undefeated on the road and take every game of the week seriously. They have had some trouble keeping their foot on the gas, but they have managed to hold strong when things get too dire. They are now 10-2 with the NFC West lead and the No. 2 seed in the NFC, with the Saints holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over them. Seattle must keep racking up wins through the final four weeks of the season to secure a playoff spot, first and foremost. The Seahawks have the potential to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC this season and they must keep that in mind as they push to finish out the year.

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3 Studs and 2 Duds from Seahawks’ besting of Vikings Monday night

Who stood out and who didn’t as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Minnesota Vikings Week 13 on the national stage to advance to No. in the West.

It’s a good time to be a cardiologist in the Seattle area thanks to all these heart-pounding Seahawks games. For the second time in three games, the Seahawks were back on “Monday Night Football” and yet again it came down to a wild fourth quarter.

The Seahawks downed the 8-win Vikings in front of a national audience to improve to 10-2 and take first place in the NFC West. Meanwhile, the Vikings stay put at the No. 6 seed and a game and a half behind the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North.

For whatever reason, the Seahawks can never seem to play a normal game as they always come down to nail-biters late. As a result, here’s who stood out in the Seahawks’ explosive win.

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Seattle Seahawks Week 13 player of the game: Rashaad Penny

Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny had his first career two touchdown game, en route to his second straight player of the week.

The Seattle Seahawks always keep things interesting, and what was shaping up to be a blowout turned into a narrow 37-30 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.

It wasn’t the prettiest game (is it ever?) but the player of the game honor – for the second week in a row – goes to running back Rashaad Penny.

Penny, who has been nearly non-existent for the majority of the season, carried the ball 15 times for 74 yards and a touchdown, while also hauling in four receptions (on five targets) for 33 yards and a touchdown on a screen pass – giving him his first career two touchdown game.

“I thought Rashaad looked so fast tonight,” coach Pete Carroll commented postgame. “He just looked so explosive. The screenplay was a beautiful call, beautiful execution. It just showed that burst that he has and why he’s so exciting.”

While Carson outgained Penny, rushing 23 times for 102 yards, it was Penny’s work as both a receiving threat and a runner out of the backfield that gave him the honor this week.

Seahawks fans have been waiting nearly two years for the 1-2 punch of Penny and Carson to show up together in the same game, and the duo picked a great game to finally do it – as the win gives Seattle sole possession of first place in the NFC West, where they hold the tiebreaker over San Francisco.

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Seahawks running backs prove unstoppable Monday night against Vikings

The Seattle Seahawks turned to their trusty running back duo of Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny in their Monday night win over the Vikings.

The Seahawks turned to their trusty running back duo Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings to come away with a huge NFC win and the lead in the NFC West. Seattle beat Minnesota 37-30 Week 13 to advance to 10-2 on the year.

Starter Chris Carson and second-year running back, Rashaad Penny, split the load in primetime and each came away with major yardage and a rushing touchdown.

Carson scored first on a one-yard run in the first quarter after an impressive long of 25 yards to get the Seahawks in the red zone. On the night, he posted 23 carries for 102 yards and the TD. He also managed an absolutely huge third-down conversion in the final minutes of the game to basically seal the deal for Seattle.

Penny’s one-yard TD run came in the third quarter to tie up the game 17-17. He finished the outing with 15 touches for 74 yards on the ground and also factored nicely into the passing game, totaling four catches on five targets for 33 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Carson and Penny have been hot and cold throughout the year, with one or the other dominating each week. On Monday night, however, the group effort finally paid off and two combined for 176 yards rushing to give the Seahawks exactly what they needed to emerge victorious over the Vikings.

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3 things to watch: Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Seattle Seahawks will take over sole possession of first place in the NFC West with a win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.

The Seattle Seahawks have an absolutely critical game lined up against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.

If Seattle wins, they will not only move to 10-2 on the season – but they will hold possession of first place in the NFC West and a potential bye week in the playoffs.

Should they lose, they would fall all the way to sixth place in the NFC, barely clinging to a playoff spot with just four games remaining.

So you don’t need me to tell you how important this game is for the rest of Seattle’s – and Minnesota’s – season.

However, outside of the actual implications of a win/loss, there are a handful of other key storylines for fans – and fantasy football owners – to pay attention to on Monday night.

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Chris Carson remains the Seahawks starting running back

Despite the emergence of running back Rashaad Penny Week 12, Chris Carson remains the Seattle Seahawks starting running back for now.

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson struggled last week against the Philadelphia Eagles while Rashaad Penny posted one of the better games of his career. But for now, it appears there is no starting running back controversy in Seattle.

“I mean, Chris is our guy,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said Friday. “We know that. He’s playing terrific football as well. But, like what happened last year some, each week, sometimes different guys step up. It happens that way in the passing game. Different receivers step up. Happened in the running game.

“Of course, we want to get Rashaad his touches, get him in the game – in terms of forcing it to happen, we’re not going to do that.”

Against the Eagles, Penny finished the day with 14 carries for 129 yards and a career-long, 58-yard touchdown run.

Penny’s off-season work paid off for both him and the Seahawks and Schottenheimer has noticed a real difference in the second-year running back.

“I think he feels better, I think he feels like his conditioning is better” Schottenheimer explained. “I think that’s part of the confidence of a young player. Hey, I feel better. I feel like I can do more. It’s cool to see him get rewarded for that when he goes out and performs the way that he did.”

So for now, Seattle will continue to utilize the one-two punch of Carson and Penny, playing whoever is hot at the time. The Seahawks running backs’ next chance to square off is Monday night against the Vikings in primetime.

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The good, the bad, and the ugly from Seahawks’ win over Eagles

The Seahawks moved to 9-2 on Sunday with a sloppy win over the Philadelphia Eagles, in which the defense shined and the offense struggled.

The Seattle Seahawks moved to 9-2 on Sunday with a sloppy 17-9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, remaining just a game behind the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West divisional race. This was a somewhat topsy-turvy outing for the Seahawks, who saw some of their biggest strengths and weaknesses switched around – however, some things just don’t change. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly from Week 12’s matchup.

THE GOOD

The pass rush: Seattle’s defense stymied Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz throughout the entire game, with pressure causing no fewer than five fumbles and setting the stage for two picks. Even with lead rusher Jadeveon Clowney sitting the game out due to a hip injury, the defensive line was more than up to the task – Ziggy Ansah notched 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble, Rasheem Green forced another fumble (recovered by Al Woods), and Quinton Jefferson scooped up yet another fumble by the flustered Wentz. One of Seattle’s weakest units in the first half of the season has taken a giant step forward (although defensive tackle Jarran Reed sprained his ankle in Sunday’s contest) and will face their next test against Kirk Cousins and a struggling Vikings o-line.

The defense in general: The defensive backs had a nice day as well, with safety Bradley McDougald and cornerback Tre Flowers each adding an interception to their resumes. Flowers also posted three passes defended, the most on the team, and the unit as a whole only allowed one “explosive” (greater than 16 yards) pass play, a 30-yarder to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Rashaad Penny: Number-one back Chris Carson was quiet on Sunday morning, but Penny rose to the occasion as he posted the biggest game of his young Seahawks career with 129 yards and a TD on 14 rushes. The score came early in the fourth quarter as Penny ripped off a 58-yard beauty of a run for just his second touchdown of the season. If this is an indicator of things to come, coach Pete Carroll might finally have the “one-two punch” he hoped for at the beginning of the season.

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Seattle Seahawks offensive player of the game: RB Rashaad Penny

Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny rushed for a career-high 129 yards on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

For the second season in a row, Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny exploded for a huge game at an entirely unexpected time. This time, however, his performance helped lead his team to a victory.

Last year, Penny hardly contributed through Seattle’s first eight games before taking off for 108 rushing yards (on 12 carries) against the Rams in Week 10, a game the Seahawks narrowly lost, 36-31.

This year, Penny was even quieter through his first seven games, but he had a huge game on Sunday against the Eagles, carrying the ball 14 times for a career-high 129 yards.

Most of his damage came on a 58-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, which gave Seattle a 17-3 lead and put the game on ice.

Penny exploded through the tackles on a first-and-20, and used his blazing speed to outrun the rest of the Philadelphia defense.

The second-year running back out of San Diego State has been frustrated with his lack of playing time this season, but instead of sulking he has worked hard to improve his conditioning, and his work impressed coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer enough to give him an extended look this week.

“We expect our guys to be frustrated,” Carroll said after the game. “They all want to play. They all deserve to play, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. It’s how you deal with it. What he did is he got better, he’s trimmer, he’s faster, I mean look how fast he looked today, he looked like he was shot out of a cannon. That’s because of the hard work.”

Penny’s performance merited our offensive player of the week award, and it will be interesting to see if it gives him more opportunities going forward, especially after starter Chris Carson fumbled twice in a row and only finished with 26 yards on eight carries.

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