Tag: Leonard Williams

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Packers on defense in Week 15

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Packers on offense in Week 15

The Seattle Seahawks did not play a good-quality defensive game in Sunday’s primetime 30-13 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Matt LaFleur’s offense encountered little resistance en route to scoring 30 points and posting nearly 400 total yards of offense. Nonetheless, these three Seahawks were their highest-graded players on defense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Boye Mafe | 80.0

Boye Mafe did not make the graphic because he didn’t play the minimum required 25 snaps, but it feels silly to discredit 22 snaps. That’s a decent workload, and Mafe maximized those opportunities, earning a stellar overall grade of 80.0. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher tied for the team-lead in QB pressures with three.

Dre’Mont Jones | 79.4

Dre’Mont Jones has steadily improved his form as the season’s progressed forward and that remained the case on Sunday Night Football. The veteran pass rusher recorded three stops and was effective both as a run stopper and pass rusher. Jones has been an impactful defender for Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde.

Leonard Williams | 69.3

Leonard Williams was a bit quieter than usual given his insane run of form, but he still accumulated a defensive-line-high five tackles. Williams pressured Packers quarterback Jordan Love twice. He also posted a defense-high five stops, matching what off-ball linebacker Ernest Jones IV achieved in this game.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks face a critical matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s Week 14 game. It’s a potentially decisive NFC West rematch after the Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 16-6 two weeks ago. Sunday’s outcome will have a drastic impact on the standings and postseason odds. Mike Macdonald’s defense was downright dominant in that victory a fortnight ago. We’ve compiled three bold predictions for the defense in Week 14.

Uchenna Nwosu records a sack in his return

Macdonald’s defense received some excellent news on Thursday as the team activated Uchenna Nwosu off IR. It should provide the defense with a major jolt in the arm. The team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee, Nwosu has barely played in 2024, initially missing the opening four contests after suffering an injury in the preseason finale. His return from that setback lasted precisely just 20 snaps before a thigh injury sidelined him again. Look for the anxious defender to sack Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray on Sunday on his triumphant return.

Leonard Williams keeps dominant run going

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams has been on a tear in recent weeks and that ongoing streak first began against the Cardinals in Week 12. Williams was unstoppable, sacking Murray 2.5 times. His latest performance against the New York Jets earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The Cardinals aren’t looking forward to seeing him again.

Seahawks limit Cardinals to under 75 rushing yards

Arizona simply couldn’t run the football against Seattle’s stout defensive front two weeks ago. Running backs James Conner and Trey Benson were limited to 26 rushing yards via 11 carries (2.36 yards per carry). The Cardinals totaled under 50 net rushing yards. Similar results could occur on Sunday.

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Seahawks Week 14 injury report: DK Metcalf did not practice

Seahawks Week 14 injury report: DK Metcalf did not practice

The Seattle Seahawks have an important Week 14 divisional rematch against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend. Thursday’s practice has officially concluded, which means we get to look at the day’s injury reports.

On the list for non-participants include defensive end Leonard Williams and now wide receiver DK Metcalf. Williams did not practice on Wednesday, nor has he on Wednesday or Thursday for the past two weeks. Considering he is on an absolute tear, I’d say it’s safe to say they are giving Big Cat some well-earned rest to keep his body healthy. As for DK Metcalf, he was a limited participant on Wednesday, now he did not practice on Thursday. My assumption is similar rest given he was banged up a little against the Jets.

The full injury report for Thursday’s practice can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • DE Leonard Williams – Foot
  • WR DK Metcalf – Shoulder
  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Ankle/Calf
  • NT Jonathan Hankins – NIR/Rest

Limited Participation:

  • TE Brady Russell – Foot
  • P Michael Dickson – Back

Full ParticipationĀ 

  • RB Zach Charbonnet ā€“ Elbow
  • LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee
  • NT Jarran Reed – NIR/Rest
  • G Laken Tomlinson – NIR/Rest
  • WR Tyler Lockett – NIR/Rest
  • T Abe Lucas – Knee
  • TE Noah Fant ā€“ Groin
  • T Stone Forsythe ā€“ Hand
  • S AJ Finley ā€“ Ankle
  • S Coby Bryant ā€“ Ankle
  • LB Uchenna Nwosu ā€“ Thigh
  • CB Riq Woolen ā€“ Ankle

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USC Seahawks are thriving while 49ers stumble in NFC West

Leonard Williams is balling for the Seahawks, and Uchenna Nwosu might soon play again after an extended injury absence. USC Seahawks are rising.

The USC football alumni playing for the Seattle Seahawks are having a good time, and another USC Seahawk might soon come back to the lineup after an injury. It’s a good time to be a Trojan in Seattle, with the Seahawks leading the NFC West and the San Francisco 49ers fading from the picture. Let’s start with this development: Another week, another monster game from Leonard Williams. This time, he made NFL history in the process.

After his 2.5-sack day in last weekā€™s win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman one-upped himself Sunday. In a 26-21 victory over the New York Jets, Williams had four tackles, two sacks, a blocked kick, and an interceptionā€”which he returned 92 yards for a touchdown.

According to the NFL, Williams was the first player to post such accolades in a game since 1982.

To make matters even sweeter, Williamsā€™ performance came against his former team. After a decorated career at USC, the Jets took Williams sixth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent thr first four-plus seasons of his career with New York.

After nearly four more years with New Yorkā€™s other team, the Giants, Williams was traded to Seattle in 2023. This season, he has quietly been one of the better defensive linemen in the NFL.

Now, Williams has his sight set on something bigger: the playoffs. In his first nine NFL seasons, Williams made the postseason just once. But with the Seahawks currently in first place in the NFC West, he has a great chance to get back there this year.

Williams and the Seahawks will be back in action this Sunday when they get a rematch with the Cardinals, this time in Arizona. Seattle might get former Trojan Uchenna Nwosu back into the lineup. Nwosu practiced on Wednesday and has a chance to play against the Cardinals.

The USC Seahawks have a lot to be optimistic about. Let’s see if they can finish the job this next month.

Cardinals to face reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Leonard Williams, who wrecked the Cardinals in Week 12, was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week entering Week 14.

The Arizona Cardinals face the Seattle Seahawks at home in Week 14 this weekend. The Seahawks beat the Cardinals in Week 12 16-6 and cornerback Coby Bryant earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against them, intercepting Kyler Murray and returning it 69 yards for a touchdown.

For the second week in a row, a Seahawks player was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams was named the conference’s top defensive player for his play in Week 12 after a huge game against the New York Jets. He had two sacks and an interception he returned 92 yards for a touchdown.

Williams played well against the Cardinals as well. In Week 12, he had six tackles, 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and a pass breakup.

As for the other NFC players of the week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was Offensive Player of the Week and Philadelphia Eagles punter Braden Mann was Special Teams Player of the Week.

In the AFC, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has offensive honors, L.A. Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still earned defensive honors and New York Jets Kene Nwangwu received special teams honors.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify,Ā YouTubeĀ orĀ Apple podcasts.

 

Seahawks injury report: Leonard Williams and 4 others did not practice

Seahawks injury report: Leonard Williams and 4 others did not practice

The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for a crucial Week 14 rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle is currently in first place in the NFC West, and did create separation with the Cards thanks to them losing to the Vikings. But Arizona is still hot on their tail, and losing to them would redefine the balance of power in the division.

The Seahawks concluded their first practice of the week, and there are a few players who did not participate or were limited. Among the non-participants were Abe Lucas and Leonard Williams. However, this has become common for those two earlier in the week. Wide receiver DK Metcalf was a limited participant after briefly leaving (but returning) the game against the Jets.

The full injury report for Seattle’s Wednesday practice can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • WR Tyler Lockett – NIR/Rest
  • T Abe Lucas – Knee
  • DE Leonard Williams – Foot
  • NT Jarran Reed – NIR/Rest
  • G Laken Tomlinson – NIR/Rest

Limited Participation:

  • WR DK Metcalf – Shoulder
  • TE Brady Russell – Foot
  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Ankle/Calf
  • P Michael Dickson – Back
  • LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee

Full Participation:

  • RB Zach Charbonnet – Elbow
  • TE Noah Fant – Groin
  • T Stone Forsythe – Hand
  • S AJ Finley – Ankle
  • S Coby Bryant – Ankle
  • LB Uchenna Nwosu – Thigh
  • CB Riq Woolen – Ankle

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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.

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This Seattle defender is WRECKING games

Leonard Williams blew up the Cardinals two weekends ago. He is on a tear over the last two weeks.

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Seattle Seahawks for the second time in three weeks this coming Sunday, this time at home.

They must face perhaps the league’s hottest defensive player, Seattle’s defensive tackle Leonard Williams.

He wrecked the Cardinals’ 16-6 loss to the Seahawks two Sundays ago and was the main protagonist in a 26-21 Seahawks win on Sunday over the New Jets.

Over his last two games, Williams has 4.5 sacks, 10 total tackles, six tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, a pass breakup and an interception he returned 92 yards for a touchdown.

Williams singlehandedly made the Cardinals’ guards look terrible.

If the Cardinals are going to snap their two-game losing streak, they will have to find a way to slow Williams and keep him both away from the football and quarterback Kyler Murray.

Pretty simple, right?

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify,Ā YouTubeĀ orĀ Apple podcasts.

 

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Jets on defense in Week 13

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Jets on defense in Week 13

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New York Jets 26-21 in Sunday’s rollercoaster of a Week 13 game. Mike Macdonald’s defense was downright dominant. Seattle limited the Jets to 258 total yards of offense, forced two turnovers, and four punts. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were Seattleā€™s three highest-graded players on defense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Leonard Williams | 92.6

To nobody’s surprise, Leonard Williams was Seattle’s highest-graded defender for a second consecutive week. Williams maximized his revenge game opportunity versus the franchise that drafted him, sacking Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice. More historically, his 92-yard pick-six return touchdown was the longest by a defensive lineman in NFL history, according to ESPN Research. He also blocked a kick. The Jets had no absolutely no answer.

Julian Love | 86.1

Safety Julian Love made a big-time impact. The versatile safety recorded six total tackles and forced a fumble. Love also had a pass breakup. He was a critical part of a Seahawks secondary that limited Rodgers to 21 passing completions, 185 yards, and his aforementioned pick-six touchdown.

Tariq Woolen | 79.3

Tariq Woolen was a shutdown cornerback. Rodgers tested his coverage abilities on seven occasions, completing just one pass for a five-yard gain, according to PFF’s tracking data. Woolen forced an incompletion via a pass breakup. His average depth of target (aDoT) was 18.7, which means the Jets failed to complete multiple deep-ball attempts in his direction.

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Giants are being haunted by their terrible roster decisions

The New York Giants aren’t just losing on the field, they’re also being relentlessly haunted by the regime’s terrible roster decisions.

The New York Giants (2-10) are perhaps in the midst of the most dismal of their 100 seasons in the NFL. That’s injurious enough for Giant fans these days.

But do they have to be insulted at every twist and turn along the way?

“The Giants’ biggest decisions haven’t just backfired. They’ve failed on the biggest stages for all to see,” writes Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. “Every failure has been magnified to the extreme.”

Thanksgiving weekend provided little to be thankful for as the Giants lost again to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-20, on Thursday afternoon. It was their eighth loss in nine appearances on National television under head coach Brian Daboll.

On Saturday, former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale — who had a messy breakup with Daboll after last season — led his new team, the Michigan Wolverines, to an unlikely upset of No. 2 Ohio State, 13-10.

Sunday provided more pain as Daniel Jones’ new team, the Minnesota Vikings, improved to 10-2 on the season with a last-minute victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Jones is still on the Vikings’ practice squad but there is a prevailing feeling that he will somehow appear in an important spot for them this season.

Old friend Leonard Williams, who the Giants sent to the Seattle Seahawks at the trade deadline last October, had a huge day. The Big Cat recorded 2.0 sacks and returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown. He also blocked an extra point attempt in the Seahawks’ 26-21 win against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

According to NFL Media, “Williams is the first player with multiple sacks, an interception-return touchdown, and a blocked kick in the same game since 1982 when the individual sack became an official statistic.”

And finally, the weekly Saquon Barkley knife twist.

Barkley had 117 scrimmage yards (107 rushing, 10 receiving) and a rushing touchdown in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 24-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Per NFL Communications, “Barkley has 1,766 scrimmage yards this season and became the second player in NFL history with at least 1,700 scrimmage yards in his first 12 games with a team, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (1,775 scrimmage yards with the Los Angeles Rams).”

Barkley is on pace to amass 2,501 total yards from scrimmage and could challenge the all-time NFL single-season record of 2,509, set by Tennessee’s Chris Johnson in 2009.

What’s painful about that is, if Barkley does break that record, he’ll likely do it at home in Week 18. The opponent that week? You guessed it — the New York Football Giants.

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