Seahawks looking relatively healthy going into Week 12 vs Cardinals
The Seattle Seahawks have announced their game designations for the Week 12 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals. After several lengthy injury reports, which included defensive line staple Leonard Williams as a non-participant, the Seahawks are looking relatively healthy this weekend.
The only player officially ruled OUT for Sunday is tight end Brady Russell, who missed Week 11 vs the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the second-straight game Russell will miss with his foot injury.
The good news is no player is listed as DOUBTFUL. Additionally, Russell’s fellow tight end, Noah Fant, is listed as QUESTIONABLE. Fant has missed the previous two games, but he did return to practice in limited capacity. Wide receiver/return specialist Laviska Shenault Jr. is also listed as QUESTIONABLE.
The best news of the day is the fact Leonard Williams carries no gametime designation. This means he will be active on Sunday, which will be a considerable boost to Seattle’s defensive front as they try to contain quarterback Kyler Murray.
Seahawks DT Leonard Williams is elite in specific pass-rushing metric
Seattle Seahawks veteran defensive tackle Leonard Williams was effective in Sunday’s critical victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The 2016 Pro Bowler recorded four tackles and had a stellar Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade of 66.8. Williams has been a dominant pass rusher for the Seahawks this season.
ESPN Stats & Info uses its pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) tool to analyze pass-rushing efficiency and effectiveness. Through 11 completed weeks, Williams is ESPN’s fourth-best defensive tackle in PRWR with a success rate of 14%. Only Chris Jones (18%), Zach Allen (18%), and Calais Campbell (15%) have a higher win percentage this year.
Williams has totaled just 2.5 sacks this season, but has routinely applied pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He’s been credited with producing 29 total pressures, including five-or-more in four individual games this campaign. Only Dre’Mont Jones has accumulated more pressures (30) than Williams this season. Boye Mafe and Jarran Reed have also racked up 29 pass-rushing wins.
The Seahawks racked up 15 total pressures against 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on Sunday. Jones led the way with five. Purdy was sacked twice, with Jones and Derick Hall recording the quarterback traps for Mike Macdonald’s defense.
Williams has been consistent for the Seahawks. Advanced metrics indicate he’s been one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league this season. Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde are fortunate to have him at their disposal.
The Seattle Seahawks are tied for 15th in the NFL in sacks with 21 quarterback takedowns through nine contests heading into this weekend’s bye. Mike Macdonald’s defense has taken a by-committee approach to rushing the passer. Three Seahawks defenders have produced three-or-more sacks, with Derick Hall (5.0), Boye Mafe (4.0), and Dre’Mont Jones (3.0) sitting atop the team leaderboard.
Leonard Williams (2.5), Tyrel Dodson (2.0), and Jarran Reed (2.0) aren’t far off from joining that club. Williams actually leads the Seahawks in pressures with 28, and Mafe (27), Hall (26), Reed (26), and Jones (25) aren’t far behind, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s been a team-effort for Seattle’s front seven this season.
Leonard Williams just casually splitting two blockers with a swim move and delivering a hit on Matthew Stafford to force incompletion. He was quite effective despite not having a sack on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/ClEct4xXJa
The advanced analytics are in-line with these tangible results. The Seahawks have posted a league-average 41% pass-block-win-rate (PBWR) so far this season, ranking 17th in the NFL through nine weeks, according to data provided by ESPN Stats & Info. Seattle has been effective at getting after opposing passers.
Williams has posted 15 pass-rushing-wins out of 100 reps, also per ESPN. Williams’ 15% PRWR ranks third-best (tied with Calais Campbell) among all qualifying defensive tackles, trailing just Zach Allen (21%) and Chris Jones (20%). There’s no denying his production this season.
Applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks hasn’t been Seattle’s issue this season. The 4-5 Seahawks are entering a Week 10 bye. When they return, a productive, all-hands-on-deck pass rushing unit will attempt to aid other areas of struggle.
The Seattle Seahawks have struggled to stop the run this season. Entering their Week 10 bye, the defense is currently ranked 27th in defending the run, allowing opposing offenses to produce 139.4 rushing yards per game. Missed tackles and gap discipline have been recurring issues across the front seven.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider recently made a notable change to the run defense. Schneider acquired linebacker Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for 2025 draft-pick capital and fellow linebacker Jerome Baker. Despite losing to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9, their starting back Kyren Williams was limited to 69 yards and 3.1 yards per carry. Jones has already improved Seattle’s run defense.
The season-long metrics still leave plenty to be desired. As things stand, the Seahawks have posted a run-stopping-win-rate (RSWR) of 29%, 23rd-best in the league, according to data collected by ESPN Stats & Info. That ranking aligns with what Seattle’s undisciplined run defense has put on tape.
Opposing backfields are rushing for 4.8 yards per carry against Seattle’s defense. That’s tied for the sixth-most yards per carry average allowed by any defense in the NFL. Mike Macdonald’s unit has forfeited a middling nine rushing touchdowns this season.
The Seahawks must defend the run with better efficiency when they return from their Week 10 bye. Acquiring Jones has slightly pushed the needle in a better direction. Using the off-week to course-correct their gap-sound discipline issues could lead to more desirable results versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11.
Seahawks DL Leonard Williams gives detailed answer on struggling run defense
The Seattle Seahawks are struggling to defend the run this season. Mike Macdonald’s inconsistent unit will enter Sunday’s Week 9 game versus the Los Angeles Rams allowing a 29th-ranked 148.4 rushing yards per contest. The challenge against Rams running back Kyren Williams will be sizable.
Seattle is allowing the fifth-highest yards per carry average (4.9) in the league. Veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams met with the media following Thursday’s practice and faced questions about the run defense. Williams offered an incredibly detailed answer.
“When you’re trying to correct something [run defense] for a few weeks, there’s a lot of competitors on this team,” Williams began. There are guys who want to put it all [the blame] on their shoulders, which is respectable. Everyone is competitive, they want to be the one to make the play. In times like that, we end up [trying to] do other people’s jobs and that affects the rest of the defense. It goes back to consistency, just consistently do your job and we’ll eventually all come together as 11. It’s about us getting back to basics and trusting that your teammate is going to do his job,” Williams concluded.
The Seahawks are allowing the fifth-highest YPC average (4.9) and the fourth-most rushing yards/game (148.4).⁰
Leonard Williams thinks their issues vs. the run aren’t a matter of talent but of discipline — i.e., players not trusting each other and sticking to their assignment. pic.twitter.com/kr8IWYYfDt
The Rams are averaging a seventh-worst 101.3 rushing yards per contest. Their 3.9 yards per carry average ranks 30th in the league. That’s despite superstar running back Kyren Williams scoring a touchdown in every game this season. Seattle’s defense will attempt to remain disciplined against LA’s struggling ground attack on Sunday.
Seahawks Week 9 injury report: DK Metcalf still not practicing
The Seattle Seahawks have a must-win game this weekend against the Los Angeles Rams. It will determine if they can stay competitive for the division lead, or fall to dead last in the NFC West. Unfortunately, after Wednesday’s practice, they have quite a lengthy injury report.
The most concerning name is of course star wide receiver DK Metcalf, who is not practicing. Metcalf missed last week’s game against Buffalo due to a Grade 1 MCL sprain he suffered in Week 7. Metcalf did not practice last week, and is starting off the week with the same status.
Some good news is the fact Abe Lucas and George Fant remain limited participants. It may be a while before either see the field, but these are encouraging signs for their progression forward.
The full injury report from Wednesday’s practice can be seen below.
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
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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.
Seahawks are starting to properly utilize Dre’Mont Jones
The Seattle Seahawks entered the season attempting to utilize veteran defender Dre’Mont Jones as more of an edge rusher. Traditionally more of an interior defender throughout his career, there have been clear-cut growing pains for Jones this season. He did not record his first sack of the 2024 campaign until Week 3.
Jones followed up that QB takedown with another in the Week 4 defeat to the Detroit Lions. Jones had his third sack of the season in Sunday’s blowout victory over the Atlanta Falcons. In Jones’ first two games, Pro Football Focus credited him with recording four measly pressures. Over the previous two contests, the former Ohio State Buckeye accumulated 13 pressures.
Jones had five pressures against the Falcons. He had a season-high six pressures against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Head coach Mike Macdonald recently discussed Jones’ incremental gains.
Mike Macdonald says #Seahawks are getting a better feel of how to maximize Dre’Mont Jones’ skill set off edge, he’s “more confident,” citing series where he took over with PBU, TFL, and a partial sack.
Loves the energy he’s playing with, expects he will continue to improve.
The likes of Mafe, Hall, Leonard Williams have been incredibly productive for the Seahawks this season. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II is coming on strong after returning from a hamstring injury. If Jones gets going, Seattle’s defensive line will elevate to elite territory.
Seahawks had core pass rush together for first time vs. Falcons
The Seattle Seahawks have dealt with injuries all season long, particularly across their defensive line. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II returned in Sunday’s Week 7 win over the Atlanta Falcons after missing the previous three contests (all losses) with a hamstring injury. Veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams missed Week 4 with a rib injury. EDGE rusher Boye Mafe missed Weeks 4 and 5 with a knee injury.
Miraculously, Sunday’s win over the Falcons marked the first time since Week 1 this season the defensive line had Murphy, Williams, Mafe, and Derick Hall available together. Unsurprisingly, Mike Macdonald’s defense was dominant as a result. They sacked Kirk Cousins three times and forced him into three turnovers. The Seahawks also posted a pressure rate of 55%.
Today was the first game since Week 1 that all four of these Seahawks started and finished a game:
Boye Mafe
Derick Hall
Byron Murphy
Leonard Williams
Hall recorded four pressures, tied for his second-most in any single-game showing this season. Hall also scored the first touchdown of his career on a fumble return as the result of a Mafe strip-sack. Mafe now has four sacks and 24 total pressures this campaign.
Murphy was anxious to return and play against a Falcons team that passed on him in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus assigned Murphy a season-best overall defensive grade of 74.6. Williams accumulated two pressures and recorded his third sack of the season.
The Seahawks obviously don’t have Uchenna Nwosu available, but he’s expected to be sidelined for a significant chunk of the season. In his absence, the quartet of Murphy II, Williams, Mafe, and Hall have become Macdonald’s most effective pass-rushing group. They finally played together again on Sunday, and they were outstanding.
Falcons run game could give Seahawks defense fits on Sunday
The Seattle Seahawks defense has struggled against the run throughout the early portion of the 2024 season. Mike Macdonald’s unit has allowed 868 rushing yards through six contests, fifth-most across the entire league. The defense is currently allowing 5.0 yards per carry, fourth-worst in the NFL. Starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson recently discussed those struggles.
On paper, the matchup against the Atlanta Falcons’ rushing attack in Sunday’s upcoming Week 7 contest doesn’t look particularly scary. The Falcons are currently averaging a 21st-best 113.7 rushing yards per game. Their 682 total rushing yards rank a middling 16th in the NFL, and their four rushing touchdowns are tied for 23rd.
The advanced metrics are however far better. Starting running back Bijan Robinson is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has forced a missed tackle rate of 19.2%, according to data collected by Chris Trapasso. Robinson is also averaging 2.72 yards after contact per attempt, and is enjoying an overall success rate of 53.7 percent.
Robinson’s backup Tyler Allgeier is heavily involved and has been equally as impressive. Allgeier is averaging a team-high 5.5 yards per carry and has forced a missed tackle rate of 31.3%. That’s extremely concerning for a Seahawks defense that has struggled with missed tackles. Atlanta’s No. 2 back is also averaging 3.90 yards after contact per attempt, with an overall success rate of 60.8 percent.
Apropos of nothing:
Bijan Robinson: 4.6 YPC, 19.2% MTF, 2.72 yards after contact per rush, 53.7% success rate
Tyler Allgeier: 5.5 YPC, 31.3% MTF, 3.90 yards after contact per rush, 60.8% success rate
Macdonald’s defense must display a gap-discipline game while showcasing better wrap-up tackling abilities. The matchup against Atlanta’s rushing attack is more difficult than the basic numbers indicate. Seattle must be ready for a dog fight in the trenches.
