Tag: Coby Bryant

Coby Bryant continues to be key member of Seahawks defense

Coby Bryant continues to be key member of Seahawks defense

Seattle Seahawks third-year safety Coby Bryant entered the 2024 season as a back-half-of-roster rotational defender. In a Week 1 victory, Bryant played one snap. Fast forward to Week 14 and he’s established himself as a keynote member of Mike Macdonald’s defense.

An injury to veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins eventually catapulted Bryant to a starting role. He’s taken full advantage of that opportunity. Bryant has now played 100 percent of Seattle’s defensive snaps in six consecutive contests. Jenkins has been available for Seattle’s last three contests, but the younger safety has nonetheless remained an every-down defender for defensive coordinator Aden Durde.

Bryant has recorded 48 tackles this year, third-most among Seattle’s secondary defenders. Pro Football Focus has credited him with allowing just one touchdown catch in coverage all season long. He’s recorded three-times as many pass breakups (3).

More notably, Bryant has been a turnover generator in recent weeks. In a Week 12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle’s second victory in an ongoing four-game win streak, Bryant intercepted Kyler Murray and returned it for a 69 yard pick-six touchdown. In this past Sunday’s rematch with Arizona, he logged another interception. Arizona will be glad to not see him again this season.

Bryant has now recorded a team-high three interceptions. He’s under contract through 2025 on the final scheduled season of his team-friendly rookie contract. Bryant’s form has been a revelation for Seattle’s in-form defense in recent weeks.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Cardinals on defense in Week 14

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Cardinals on defense in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks captured their fourth consecutive victory on Sunday, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 30-18 in Week 14. Mike Macdonald’s defense limited the Cardinals to 356 total yards and forced two turnovers, completing the regular-season sweep over their NFC West rivals. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were Seattle’s three highest-graded players on defense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Jarran Reed | 84.1

Veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed was his usual disruptive self. The former Alabama standout recorded three pressures and logged a QB hit on Kyler Murray. Reed also broke up a pass and routinely dominated the line of scrimmage versus an outmatched Cardinals interior offensive line.

Rayshawn Jenkins | 76.3

Rayshawn Jenkins was Seattle’ second-highest graded overall defender at 76.3. The versatile safety recorded three tackles and one of Macdonald’s two team sacks on a well-timed blitz. Jenkins accumulated two additional tackles and two stops. He was never targeted in coverage by Murray.

Coby Bryant | 73.4

Rotational safety Coby Bryant continues to take advantage of his opportunities. With Jenkins still easing into the lineup, Bryant has captured a full-time starting role for himself. The ex Cincinnati Bearcat played 100 percent of Macdonald’s defensive snaps for a sixth straight game. He recorded his team-high third interception of the season, his second takeaway in three games.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Watch: Seahawks snag back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter

Watch: Seahawks snag back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter

The Seattle Seahawks have had an explosive first quarter, and it has been fueled by the defense forcing turnovers. The Cardinals drew first blood with an opening drive touchdown, but that was where their highlights ended in the opening frame.

On Arizona’s second possession, quarterback Kyler Murray threw a dart directly to Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV. It was the first interception Jones has snagged as a Hawk.

One play later, Geno Smith found Jaxon Smith-Njigba to give Seattle the lead.

The fireworks did not end there for Seattle’s defense. On the Cards’ ensuing drive, pressured by linebacker Derick Hall, Murray tried to escape pressure. Unfortunately for him, his hurried pass landed in the waiting arms of safety Coby Bryant.

Two weeks ago, Bryant won NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his interception and subsequent touchdown return. While this didn’t make it back to the house this time, the Seahawks still took advantage by finding the end zone five plays later behind the legs of Zach Charbonnet.

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

Seahawks DE Leonard Williams named Defensive Player of the Week

Seahawks DE Leonard Williams named Defensive Player of the Week

The Seattle Seahawks are on quite a roll with their defenders in the national spotlight. Of course, back to back weeks with game-changing interceptions returned for touchdowns tend to get you noticed! On Wednesday morning, it was announced Seattle’s very own Leonard Williams was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his monstrous performance against the New York Jets.

Williams was nothing short of an absolute terror in the Meadowlands, recording four tackles (three for a loss), two sacks, an interception and a 92-yard touchdown – the longest by a defensive lineman in league history! He even had a blocked PAT in the first quarter.

Williams has been playing out of this world football as of late. In the 16-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded six total tackles and 2.5 sacks. Big Cat believed he should have been named Player of the Week for this performance, but those honors went to his teammate Coby Bryant – who also had a pick-6 against the Cardinals.

The Seahawks defense is on a tear right now, laying waste to any quarterback daring to challenge them. Seattle held the 49ers to their lowest output under Brock Purdy, they held a Kyler Murray-led offense out of the end zone, and shut out Aaron Rodgers over three quarters of football. This unit has officially arrived under head coach Mike Macdonald.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Seahawks S Coby Bryant wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Seahawks S Coby Bryant wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week

It has been a big week for Seattle Seahawks starting safety Coby Bryant, who made the game-defining play in Seattle’s Week 12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Leading only 7-3 in the third quarter, the Seahawks made a crucial stop on 4th-and-1 against the Cards.

Quarterback Kyler Murray rolled out to his right, being chased down by Seattle defenders, and sailed the ball well out of reach of his intended receiver. It fell into the waiting arms of Bryant, who promptly returned it 69 yards for a touchdown to help the Seahawks go up by 10. It proved to be an insurmountable lead for Arizona.

For Bryant’s efforts in the victory, he rightfully earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 12! Only fitting in the 12th week of the season it was a Seahawk who earned this award for a performance in front of the 12th Man.

Overall, Bryant finished the eventual 16-6 win with six total tackles, all of which were solo. I’d say he was more than qualified to become the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Coby Bryant has a message for Marshawn Lynch after his pick-6 celebration

Coby Bryant has a message for Marshawn Lynch after his pick-6 celebration

Without a doubt the biggest play of the Seattle Seahawks 16-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals was safety Coby Bryant’s interception return for a touchdown. The score extended Seattle’s lead to 13-3 and effectively put the game out of reach for the Cardinals, given how well Seattle’s defense was playing.

For those with a keen eye and a good memory, Bryant’s celebration as he cascaded into the end zone was the same as the legendary Marshawn Lynch, who did it twice at the end of his two best runs. The iconic Beast Quake in the playoffs, then the sequel in 2014… which was against the Arizona Cardinals. More on that particular run in a minute.

Seahawks fans everywhere can recognize that celebration, and Bryant acknowledged after the game it was specifically an homage to Lynch himself. After all, could you truly make such a gesture in a Seattle uniform and have it not be about Beast Mode? Bryant explained after the game it was in honor of No. 24, and since Bryant knows he is about to be fined, he gave a special request to Lynch.

Unfortunately, the NFL is most assuredly going to come down hard on Bryant. Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams made a similar move on a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. The league fined Williams an astonishing $19,697 for his “obscene gesture.”

The horror. Won’t somebody please think of the children!?

Quarterback Geno Smith even said postgame press conference “Man, please don’t fine him, NFL. Let him keep his money!”

Bryant understood what could be the potential cost, and decided to do so anyway. Good for him. He mentioned in the press conference that he chose the Lynch celebration specifically because he was playing the Cardinals. Bryant then began reminiscing about where he was when Marshawn barreled through the Arizona defense that fateful night.

“I was actually watching the game with my dad [in Cleveland],” Bryant explained. “I am so happy to be drafted here. I told my parents I was going to do it, and it manifested itself!”

Speaking of his parents, Bryant also mentioned how Sunday was a rather special day for his family outside of football. When asked about what Bryant did with the ball he intercepted, he gave one of the best answers a player can give:

“I definitely snagged the ball. It’s actually my mom’s birthday. What a coincidence, and I’m going to give it to her as one of her gifts.”  

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Seahawks beat the Cardinals, win 16-6 and move into 1st place

Seahawks beat the Cardinals, win 16-6 and move into 1st place

The Seattle Seahawks have officially reclaimed first place in the NFC West, at least temporarily, thanks to their 16-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Sunday marked the first win at Lumen Field for the Seahawks since Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins… which was on September 22nd.

Seattle extends their winning streak against Arizona to now six-consecutive games, including the last three at Lumen Field. Speaking of which, including Sunday’s game, it was another example of a low scoring defensive slugfest between these teams in the Emerald City. The last three home games against the Cards have gone as such…

  • 2024: Seahawks win 16-6
  • 2023: Seahawks win 20-10
  • 2022: Seahawks win 19-9

Something about these teams playing in Seattle forces them both down into the mud, scrapping for points at any cost. It was more of the same in Week 12, as points were truly difficult to come by.

After a first half of 7-3 football, the Seahawks managed to blow the lead open with Coby Bryant’s 69-yard pick-6 to make it a 13-3 lead. While Jason Myers did miss the PAT (thanks to Devon Witherspoon’s personal foul penalty backing him up) the 10-point lead proved to be insurmountable.

Arizona did manage to make it a one-score game again with a field goal, after being stalled in the red zone. It was a drive started by a Geno Smith interception (his 12th of the year) in the end zone. But Seattle responded accordingly, as Smith found redemption leading a 13-play, 59 yard drive capped off by a 50-yard field goal by Jason Myers. It officially put the game out of reach.

The Cardinals last gasp ended as a field goal attempt with 15 seconds sailed wide left, and the Hawks kneeled it out.

Now, Seattle moves into first place. If they want to remain as such, they will hopefully get a little help from the Philadelphia Eagles, who are playing the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football shortly. If the Eagles win, and the Rams fall below .500 again, Seattle’s status on top will be cemented.

Well, at least for a week.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Watch: Seahawks S Coby Bryant has a 69-yard pick-6

Watch: Seahawks S Coby Bryant has a 69-yard pick-6

The youngsters are taking over the game for the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 12 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle found the end zone for the first time on Sunday thanks to Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s massive first half. The second touchdown came courtesy of the defense.

Facing a 4th-and-1, the Cardinals decided to go for it. The ball was snapped, and the pass fell incomplete… only the play was blown dead at the last second, because right before the snap, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald called a time out. A sense of slight nervousness fell over the crowd as folks wondered if perhaps Macdonald made the right decision.

Turns out he did, and his safety Coby Bryant helped prove it. On 4th down, Kyler Murray’s pass sailed right over the head over wide open receiver Michael Wilson and into the waiting arms of Bryant.

Unfortunately, Devon Witherspoon was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the 15-yard penalty was enforced on the PAT. The extra yardage tacked on proved to be a detriment, as the usually sure-footed Jason Myers did miss the PAT attempt. The score remained 13-3 in favor of Seattle.

Still, the Seahawks defense has sucked the life out of Arizona thus far. At the moment, it is still the third quarter and the Seahawks lead by 10.

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 for more highlights, analysis and updates.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. 49ers on defense

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. 49ers on defense

The Seattle Seahawks claimed a massive victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, winning their Week 11 contest within the NFC West 20-17. Mike Macdonald’s excellent defense limited Kyle Shanahan’s offense to 17 points and just 277 total yards of offense. Brock Purdy threw for just 159 yards and one interception. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were the Seahawks’ three highest-graded players on defense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Devon Witherspoon | CB | 78.2

Devon Witherspoon was everywhere, totaling a season-high eight tackles for Aden Durde’s aggressive defense. Witherspoon was competitive, recording three pass breakups in this game alone. PFF credited the versatile corner with allowing just four receptions on seven targets for 37 receiving yards. The 49ers found no success throwing the ball in his direction.

Tyrice Knight | LB | 77.5

Mid-round linebacker Tyrice Knight was outstanding in his first start at off-ball linebacker since the team surprisingly released Tyrel Dodson. Knight accumulated 10 tackles and one quarterback hit. Seattle’s new LB duo helped hold superstar running back Christian McCaffrey to 79 rushing yards and a pedestrian 4.2 yards per carry.

Coby Bryant | S | 70.4

Coby Bryant has done an admirable job stepping up while the Seahawks have navigated some injuries in the secondary. Bryant played all 63 defensive snaps against the 49ers, remaining on the field for every defensive snap. The former Cincinnati standout totaled five tackles and allowed just one reception for a five-yard gain.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Rams WR Puka Nacua ejected for throwing a punch

Puka Nacua ejected from Rams-Seahawks for throwing a punch

Puka Nacua was ejected from Sunday’s Los Angeles Rams-Seattle Seahawks game late in the second quarter.

Nacua punched Coby Bryant after the Seahawks picked off a Matthew Stafford pass.

Bryant went to block or pushed Nacua, who responded by punching the Seahawk.

Seattle scored a touchdown after the interception to take a 13-3 lead at halftime of the game between NFC West foes