Tag: devon witherspoon

First half recap: 49ers lead the Seahawks 7-6

First half recap: 49ers lead the Seahawks 7-6

The Seattle Seahawks are in a crucial Week 11 rematch against the San Francisco 49ers, and so far, the Niners have a clear edge. In a rapid first half, San Francisco leads Seattle by a score of 7-6.

The Seahawks forced the Niners on a three-and-out to start the game, and eventually took an early lead on their opening drive.

While it did end with a sack on third down, as Nick Bosa beat Abe Lucas in his season debut, Jason Myers did nail a 52-yard attempt to give Seattle a 3-0 lead.

San Francisco responded immediately, as the Niners engineered a 12-play, 71-yard drive which ended with Brock Purdy scrambling ten yards into the end zone. Purdy has been sacked twice today, but remains frustratingly elusive. Still, two more sacks then the Seahawks were able to secure against him in their Week 6 loss.

Seattle had to punt on their next possession, but quickly got the ball back thanks to cornerback Devon Witherspoon and defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins – the first interception of the big man’s career.

Regrettably, the Seahawks were not able to take full advantage of the interception, as they were held to another field goal. But they did get points out of it, as Jason Myers connected from 57-yards out. Myers now has 22 successful field goals from 50+ yards as a Seahawk, which is the most in franchise history.

Following a sack of Purdy to knock the Niners out of field goal range, Seattle did get the ball back.

Once again, the Seahawks couldn’t take advantage of what their defense gave them, and they had to punt the ball away.

First half stats:

  • Total Yards: 49ers – 152, Seahawks – 104
    • Rushing: 49ers – 82, Seahawks – 29
    • Passing: Seahawks – 75, 49ers – 70
  • Total plays: 49ers 31 to Seahawks’ 24
  • First downs: 49ers 12 to Seahawks’ 7
  • Time of Possession – 49ers lead 18:32 to Seattle’s 11:28

Geno Smith has completed 11-of-14 passes for 91 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and has been sacked twice. Purdy has completed 11-of-15 for 83, no touchdowns, one interception, and has taken two sacks as well.

Seattle will get the ball to start the second half.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks players on defense vs. Rams

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks players on defense vs. Rams

The Seattle Seahawks were defeated 26-20 by the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on Sunday. The defense forced the Rams offensive into seven three-and-outs and limited them to 366 total yards of offense. Pro Football Focus had the following three Seahawks defenders as their highest-graded talents on that side of the ball versus the Rams.

Ernest Jones IV | 83.4

Ernest Jones IV was PFF’s fifth-highest graded linebacker in Week 9. He scored even better as a run defender, earning a third-highest 85.7. Jones IV recorded five pressures, three stops, and two pressures. The sideline-to-sideline linebacker has been an excellent addition to the defense following his acquisition in a trade with the Tennessee Titans.

Boye Mafe | 73.4

Boye Mafe has been a steady performer all campaign long. The 2022 second-round selection accumulated two quarterback pressures and two tackles versus the Rams. Mafe was also a force multiplier as a run defender, scoring a steady 73.4 in the run defense department.

Devon Witherspoon | 73.3

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was credited with allowing five receptions on eight targets for 52 receiving yards against Matthew Stafford. His overall defensive grade of 73.3 was his third-best individually graded game of the season. Witherspoon has yet to allow a touchdown catch this year. He’s allowing just 8.7 yards per catch in 2024.

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Causes for concern as the Bills face the Seahawks in Week 8

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Seahawks in Week 8

The Buffalo Bills take to the road in Week 8 to face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

The Bills (5-2) and Seahawks (4-3) clash as a couple of the better teams in the NFL through seven weeks.

The Bills are favored by just a field goal in the game, as the Seahawks have shown they can compete on both sides of the ball under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald.

Macdonald’s last two seasons were spent as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. The defensive-minded head coach also has an explosive offense led by veteran gunslinger Geno Smith. To improve to 6-2 on the year, the Bills will need to execute.

There are always a few things that make executing difficult each week, and the Bills will need to be wary of them. Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 8:

Seattle’s air attack

USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks pass the ball at the highest rate in the NFL. Not only does Geno Smith lead the league in attempts with 279, but he also leads the NFL in attempts of ten or more yards downfield.

Not having DK Metcalf due to his knee injury would hurt what the Seahawks can do downfield, but Smith will most likely still be willing to sling it. The secondary and linebackers for the Bills will be tested in coverage.

No Terrel Bernard

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The Bills announced on Friday that linebacker and captain Terrel Bernard will miss the game at Seattle on Sunday. A big blow to the defense.

Any game that Terrel Bernard can’t play for the Bills is a concern, but this particular matchup especially hurts the Bills. The Seahawks love to throw it around the yard and Bernard is the best cover linebacker the Bills have. Not only that but he is the one communicating the defense pre-snap. With Bernard not in the middle of the field, it will make for an easier day for Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense.

Playmakers on defense

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The Seahawks aren’t among the league leaders in any defensive categories but they are solid across the board.

They have a couple of standout players in the secondary with safety Julian Love and cornerback Tariq Woolen. And opposite of Woolen is Devon Witherspoon who is solid on the outside too. Love is the eighth-highest-graded safety in the NFL per Pro Football Focus, and Woolen is the 11th-highest-graded corner.

Their defensive line is also a problem. They have one of the better defensive tackle duos in Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed. Josh Allen and Joe Brady need to be aware of where a lot of these guys are on every play.

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Bills at Seahawks: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 8

Bills at Seahawks: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 8

The Buffalo Bills (5-2) will visit the Seattle Seahawks (4-3) in their upcoming Week 8 matchup.

In this cross-conference and cross-country matchup, the games within the game will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Seahawks contest:

Amari Cooper/Keon Coleman vs. Seattle corners

Imagn Images

Last week against the Tennessee Titans, Bills wide receivers Amari Cooper and second-round rookie Keon Coleman had their way against their matchups. This week, they face tougher cornerback matchups. On the outside for Seattle will be Riq Woolen, who ranks 18th-best among corners according to PFF.

They also have cornerback Devon Witherspoon who was the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Witherspoon is used both on the outside and in the slot. He may shadow Cooper, but either way, the Bills’ wide receivers need to be prepared to win some tougher matchups to help out Josh Allen and the offense. A couple of big plays from Coleman or Cooper could be the difference in the game.

Jaxon Smith Njigba vs. Taron Johnson

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With DK Metcalf ruled doubtful for Week 8, a lot more targets may fall on the shoulders of second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The bad news for Smith-Njigba is that All-Pro Taron Johnson will occupy the area of the field where he likes to work.

Smith-Njigba has had a hot and cold season, with games of 12 catches and games of two or three catches. His usage has been mainly matchup-dependent, but if Metcalf can’t play then his usage would have to go up. The Bills’ All-Pro nickel corner going against the first WR taken in the 2023 Draft is a great matchup in the slot.

Bills offensive line vs. Seahawks pass rush

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How the Bills offensive line holds up against a talented Seattle front will determine the level of success the team can have on the road. We know it can get loud at Lumen Field, and if Josh Allen is constantly under pressure then it will make things a lot more difficult.

The Seahawks rank eighth in the NFL in sack percentage and are tenth in sacks per game. They rank fourth in the league in pressure rate while not blitzing much. And, they just got Byron Murphy back from injury, who was their first round pick in April. It’s a tall task to keep them out of the backfield all game, but the Bills will need to limit how often they get back there. Running the ball will help keep the defense honest.

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon jokingly took credit for Derick Hall’s Week 7 TD

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon jokingly took credit for Derick Hall’s Week 7 TD

Seattle Seahawks sophomore EDGE Derick Hall scored his first career touchdown in Sunday’s blowout 34-14 Week 7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. With the Seahawks nursing a 24-14 lead, Seattle’s defense helped Mike Macdonald put the game completely out of reach when Hall recovered a Boye Mafe strip-sack for a defensive touchdown, increasing their advantage to 31-14.

Hall recently discussed his 36-yard scoop-and-score, which featured an outstanding block from cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon jokingly took credit for springing Hall to his first-ever end-zone visit.

“I did [see Witherspoon’s block], ‘Spoon, as soon as we got off [the field], he said you’re welcome and I said thank you,” Hall joked about Witherspoon taking credit for the score. “He [Witherspoon] plays with an effort that nobody can imagine. I feel like that’s where everybody on defense team gets it from. Witherspoon flies around every single play. He’s always right there. We love this game so much. We’re all living in the moment. ‘Spoon is a very high-character guy, a leader on this team. He makes it known from time to time.”

Additionally, Hall added four quarterback pressures against the Falcons. The No. 37 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hall has accumulated a team-high five sacks this campaign. They’ll need his best-efforts against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ high-octane offense this Sunday.

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Seahawks Week 3 injury report: Kenneth Walker still not practicing

Seahawks Week 3 injury report: Kenneth Walker still not practicing

The Seattle Seahawks ar enow entering into a full calendar week of injury reports featuring their star running back, Kenneth Walker III, not practicing. Walker blew up the Denver Broncos’ defense, but suffered an oblique injury in the fourth quarter. Apparently, it has turned into something considerably more serious than we thought.

The good news is Leonard Williams, and Boye Mafe, who did not participate in practice, were limited on Thursday. DK Metcalf was listed as a full participant himself. This is a good trend for three of Seattle’s most important players to be active come Sunday.

The full injury report can be seen below.

Did Not Participate in Practice:

  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Oblique
  • NT Jarran Reed – NIR/Knee
  • NT Jonathan Hankins – NIR/Rest
  • LB Uchenna Nwosu – Knee
  • S K’Von Wallace – Shoulder

Limited Participation:

  • TE Brady Russell – Shoulder
  • LB Jerome Baker – Hamstring
  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • DE Leonard Williams – Knee/shin
  • TE Pharaoh Brown – Foot
  • TE Noah Fant – Toe
  • T George Fant – Knee
  • WR Tyler Lockett – Thigh
  • LB Derick Hall – Hip
  • CB Devon Witherspoon – Hamstring

Full Participation in Practice:

  • G Laken Tomlinson – NIR/rest
  • WR Laviska Shenault Jr. – Foot
  • WR DK Metcalf – hand
  • LB Tyrel Dodson – Shoulder
  • G Anthony Bradford – Knee

Panthers Wire’s 2024 NFL season predictions

The Panthers Wire staff makes their predictions for 2024’s division winners, wild card teams, awards and Super Bowl LIX champions.

Well, it kinda sorta feels like the Carolina Panthers may be left out of the big picture once again, doesn’t it? But that doesn’t mean we can’t try to predict it!

Join the Panthers Wire staff—Jared Feinberg, Natalie Miller and Anthony Rizzuti—as we make our picks for this year’s playoff teams, award winners and Super Bowl LIX champions . . .

Feinberg Miller Rizzuti
AFC East Miami (3) Buffalo (2) New York (4)
Buffalo (6) New York (6) Buffalo (6)
New York (7) Miami Miami (7)
New England New England New England
AFC North Cincinnati (1) Baltimore (1) Baltimore (2)
Baltimore (5) Cincinnati (5) Cleveland (5)
Cleveland Cleveland (7) Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Cincinnati
AFC South Houston (4) Houston (4) Houston (3)
Jacksonville Indianapolis Indianapolis
Indianapolis Jacksonville Tennessee
Tennessee Tennessee Jacksonville
AFC West Kansas City (2) Kansas City (3) Kansas City (1)
Los Angeles Las Vegas Los Angeles
Las Vegas Los Angeles Denver
Denver Denver Las Vegas
NFC East Philadelphia (3) Philadelphia (2) Philadelphia (3)
Dallas Dallas (5) Dallas (6)
New York Washington Washington
Washington Washington New York
NFC North Detroit (1) Detroit (1) Green Bay (2)
Green Bay (5) Green Bay (6) Detroit (5)
Chicago (7) Chicago Chicago
Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota
NFC South Atlanta (4) Tampa Bay (4) Atlanta (4)
Tampa Bay Atlanta Tampa Bay
Carolina Carolina New Orleans
New Orleans New Orleans Carolina
NFC West San Francisco (2) San Francisco (3) San Francisco (1)
Seattle (6) Los Angeles (7) Los Angeles (7)
Los Angeles Seattle Seattle
Arizona Arizona Arizona

 

Feinberg Miller Rizzuti
Most Valuable Player Joe Burrow Josh Allen Patrick Mahomes
Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson Ja’Marr Chase Christian McCaffrey
Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa Devon Witherspoon Micah Parsons
Offensive Rookie of the Year Caleb Williams Caleb Williams Malik Nabers
Defensive Rookie of the Year Laiatu Latu Dallas Turner Terrion Arnold
Head Coach of the Year Dan Campbell Mike Macdonald Matt LaFleur
Comeback Player of the Year Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers

 

Feinberg Miller Rizzuti
Super Bowl LIX Kansas City over Detroit Buffalo over Detroit Kansas City over Green Bay

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Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon predicted as contender for Defensive Player of the Year

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon predicted as contender for Defensive Player of the Year

The Seattle Seahawks have a rising star in their secondary. Last spring, the Seahawks zigged when everyone thought they should zag. Instead of drafting defensive tackle Jalen Carter to help their ailing defensive line, Seattle grabbed the top cornerback prospect in the draft. Anyone who questioned or disliked the pick were immediately swayed once they saw Witherspoon in action for the first time.

It became evident he was a special, game-changing kind of player. The type the Seahawks have been missing (except for Bobby Wagner) on their defense for some time. Witherspoon may have been snubbed for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, but a much more grand prize may be on the horizon for him.

The 33rd Team has listed Witherspoon as a dark horse contender for being the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. Something not even the legendary Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas or Kam Chancellor were awarded.

Last year in his rookie debut, Witherspoon was sublime. He recorded 79 total tackles, had three sacks, and defended 16 passes – including his lone interception, which he took back 97 yards for a touchdown on Monday Night Football.

Should Witherspoon break out further and claim the title of Defensive Player of the Year, he will join Hall of Famers Kenny Easley and Cortez Kennedy as the only Seahawks to earn such honors.

More Seahawks Wire stories

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Trash talk reigns supreme between the Seahawks and Titans at practice

Trash talk reigns supreme between the Seahawks and Titans at practice

This is what we have been waiting to hear, right? At least deep down, we have been hoping for a little bit of spice from the joint practices between the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans. Naturally, trash talk can only be expected when professional athletes take the field against one another, whether it is a game or practice.

But in this case, there is a little extra juice. Tennessee has recently acuired a pair of former Seahawks in Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs. Both of whom are some of the more verbal players out there. Of course, Adams and Diggs had plenty to say to their former teammates, but the Seahawks – particularly from Devon Witherspoon – didn’t refrain from chirping back at them.

Here is a compilation of tweets from those covering the practice live:

Fortunately, this was all in good fun between the two teams. Quandre Diggs and Devon Witherspoon were both asked about it after practice, and the two of them confirmed as much.

This Seahawks team is no stranger to a little bit of “extracirricular activities” at practice, as there were multiple fights at practice last week. But against the Titans these last two days, the team has been on their best behavior… so to speak. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised his squad for keeping their composure, even amidst the trash talk.

“The guys realize, just like we said yesterday, we’re going to be evaulated by what shows up on tape,” said Macdonald after practice. “If we’re getting into fights and we’re not keeping our composure, that’s not the best for us or the team. God forbid someone got hurt during that time, which is just totally unnecessary, things you want to avoid. The guys did a great job! 

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks to hold joint practices for the first time since 1991

Watch: Seahawks CB Riq Woolen puts the clamps on Titans WR Calvin Ridley

Position battles to monitor in Seahawks-Titans joint practices

Byron Murphy reportedly dominating the Titans

Seahawks’ Devon Witherspoon snubbed from NFL Top 100 list

Seahawks’ Devon Witherspoon snubbed from NFL Top 100 list

The annual NFL Top 100 Players list has officially been completed. It was a solid showing for the Seattle Seahawks, who managed to land four (well, technically three and one former) of their players on the list. The Seahawks to make it were:

Ultimately, the 9-8 Seahawks did not have an outstanding year. Yes, they finished with another winning season… but were two missed fourth quarter Matt Prater field goals away from losing their final game of 2023 to the Arizona Cardinals. Yes, they were in playoff contention in the final week, but they were in that position because they dropped a winnable game to the Steelers the week before.

Still, despite all this, there should have been one more Seahawk on this list: star rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon. After some questioned his lofty draft positioning, the No. 5 overall pick proved he was worthy of his selection and gave the Seattle secondary a dearly needed boost.

The frustrating aspect of Witherspoon not making it is the fact Riq Woolen did. Now, I must clarify immediately: I am, under no circumstances, not suggesting Woolen shouldn’t have made it! He was well deserving.

What I am saying is if Woolen made it, then so should have Witherspoon. Woolen and Witherspoon had similar stats, but a clear edge was to the rookie. Witherpoon had 79 total tackles, Woolen had 53. Witherspoon defended 16 passes compared to Woolen’s 11. Woolen did have one more interception (2 to 1) than Witherspoon, but Witherspoon logged three sacks compared to none for Woolen.

Just looking at the raw numbers tells us Witherspoon had a stronger season. The eye test does as well, considering at one point Woolen was actually benched for his issues tackling.

There are 1,696 active players in the NFL right now. Cracking into the Top 100 is no easy feat. But Witherspoon did everything he could in his rookie season to prove he belonged among the league’s elite.

More Seahawks Wire stories

MRI reveals good news for Seahawks QB Geno Smith

Seahawks CB Nehemiah Pritchett breaks up pass for JSN 

Seahawks won’t see QB Justin Herbert in the preseason

Seahawks cornerbacks snubbed in Madden 25 ratings 

Mariners manager Scott Servais spotted at training camp