Tag: Leonard Williams

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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Seahawks are starting to properly utilize Dre’Mont Jones

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.

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.

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Seahawks had core pass rush together for first time vs. Falcons since Week 1

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%.

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.

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Falcons run game could give Seahawks defense fits on Sunday

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.

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.

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Seahawks Week 7 injury report: Byron Murphy II returns to practice

Seahawks Week 7 injury report: Byron Murphy II returns to practice

Injuries have been the name of the game for the NFL this season, especially when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks. After playing three games in an eleven day stretch, the team was in desperate need of some time off. Unfortunately, it appears the extra rest didn’t exactly heal the team up.

Safety Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve, no improvement to Abe Lucas, and now the injury report includes the right half of Seattle’s already decimated offensive line.

The only bit of good news is Byron Murphy II has returned to practice in a limited capacity. But that’s just about where it ends for Wednesday’s injury report.

The full report can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • T Stone Forsythe – Hand
  • G Anthony Bradford – Toe
  • CB Tre Brown – Ankle
  • CB Riq Woolen – Ankle
  • WR Laviska Shenault – Back

Limited Participation: 

  • C Connor Williams – Chest
  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • DT Byron Murphy II – Hamstring
  • DE Leonard Williams – Knee
  • S Jerrick Reed II – Knee

Full Participation: 

  • S Julian Love – Hamstring/Quad

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Seahawks Week 5 inactives: Boye Mafe and Byron Murphy II OUT vs Giants

Seahawks Week 5 inactives: Boye Mafe and Byron Murphy II OUT vs Giants

The Seattle Seahawks are less than two hours from kicking off against the New York Giants in Week 5, but they will be without two of their best players along the defensive line.

Missing their second-straight game will be linebacker Boye Mafe and rookie Byron Murphy II. It is possible both players are sitting due to the impending game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, but we will report more on that speculation later.

The good news is Leonard Williams and Julian Love will be back to face their former team, as well as linebacker Jerome Baker. Joining them will be Uchenna Nwosu, who will take the field for his first NFL action of the 2024 season. The full inactives list for both teams can be seen below.

Seahawks Inactives:

  • C Olu Oluwatimi
  • LB Boye Mafe
  • G Sataoa Laumea
  • T Michael Jerrell
  • DT Byron Murphy II

Giants Inactives:

  • WR Malik Nabers
  • S Anthony Johnson
  • RB Devin Singletary
  • CB Tre Hawkins
  • OLB Bookie Basham
  • G Jake Kubas
  • QB Tommy DeVito (emergency 3rd string QB)

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

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Seahawks Week 5 injury report: Byron Murphy II ruled OUT, Williams to return

Seahawks Week 5 injury report: Byron Murphy II ruled OUT, Williams to return

The Seattle Seahawks are going to be considerably healthier facing the New York Giants than they were when they played on Monday Night Football. The injury designations for this weekend are fairly favorable, and it appears Seattle is going to get several players back for Sunday.

Against the Lions, the Seahawks were without Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, Leonard Williams, Jerome Baker, Byron Murphy, and lost Julian Love during the game. But for Week 5, it appears Seattle will be getting at least five of the six back.

As of right now, only two of the six players I mentioned in the previous paragraph carry an injury designation. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II will miss his second-straight game, while safety Julian Love and linebacker Boye Mafe are QUESTIONABLE.

The most encouraging news is the fact Uchenna Nwosu, who has been dealing with a MCL sprain since the preseason finale, carries NO injury designation. So it seems he will see his first action of the 2024 season.

The full injury report for Sunday’s game can be seen below.

Ruled OUT for Sunday:

  • DT Byron Murphy II – Hamstring
  • NT Cameron Young – Knee (returning from the PUP list)

DOUBTFUL:

  • No players carry a DOUBTFUL designation for Sunday

Questionable:

  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • S Julian Love – Thigh

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Giants preparing to take on several familiar faces vs. Seahawks

When the New York Giants look across the field on Sunday, they will see several familiar faces wearing Seattle Seahawks uniforms.

When the New York Giants look across the field on Sunday afternoon, they’re going to see quite a few familiar faces wearing a Seattle Seahawks uniform.

On defense, they’ll be going up against quarterback Geno Smith, who made history by starting in favor of Eli Manning, ending a 222-game iron man streak in November of 2017.

Smith currently leads the NFL with 1,182 yards passing.

“He’s playing at a high level. He’s a veteran now. He’s done a really good job when you study the tape. Last year and this year, here to start out, obviously, he threw for a bunch of yards in a back-and-forth game there for a while. He’s got command,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Smith on Wednesday. “I think Geno is a guy that leads it all. Does a good job of getting the ball to those playmakers.”

If he’s elevated from the practice squad, the Giants might also see wide receiver Miles Boykin, who spent time with the team this past summer before being released in late August.

When quarterback Daniel Jones is under center, he’ll be looking across the line at several prominent former Giants, including defensive end Leonard Williams, nose tackle Johnathan Hankins, and safety Julian Love.

“Again, another guy that he’s a very smart player,” Daboll said of Love. “We knew that, obviously, here. Instinctive. He’s made a couple really good plays for them at the start of this year. I know he’s out, has a quad. We’ll see where he’s at. But, that type of guy, with the right mindset, that works the right way, you really wouldn’t expect anything else.”

Through four weeks, Love is second among all NFL safeties with a Pro Football Focus grade of 89.9. His coverage grade of 85.6 trails only two players, ironically including ex-Giants safety Xavier McKinney, who leads the league at 89.5.

Williams, meanwhile, is seventh among interior defensive linemen with a PFF grade of 80.1.

It’s certainly interesting to see all these ex-Giants finding success league-wide while the team in East Rutherford continues to flounder.

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Seahawks missed key defensive players from first Lions scoring series

Seahawks missed key defensive players from first Lions scoring series

The Seattle Seahawks entered Monday Night Football’s Week 4 date with the Detroit Lions missing several starting defenders through injury. Defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II, outside linebackers Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe, and off-ball linebacker Jerome Baker were all sidelined. Starting safety Julian Love exited the game with a quad contusion.

The end result was a 42-29 defeat, Seattle’s first loss of the 2024 campaign. Despite being so short handed, Mike Macdonald’s defense began the contest on proper footing. The Lions went three-and-out on their first offensive possession, with defensive tackle Jarran Reed sacking Lions quarterback Jared Goff for a 14-yard loss on 3rd-and-6.

The Seahawks couldn’t muster much offense on the ensuing possession. Geno Smith and the offense also went three-and-out. A 3rd-and-11 pass to DK Metcalf gained just eight yards, prompting Michael Dickson to punt on 4th-and-3. That’s when Seattle’s missing defensive starters had an impact.

The Lions traveled 93 yards on a dominant 12-play scoring drive. Detroit’s offensive line created plenty of push and rushing lanes for David Monthomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to exploit. Mafe was missed on the edges as runs were bounced outside for chunk gains. Williams and Murphy, who typically create interior pocket push, were notably absent.

That drive began with an 11-yard Montgomery run. Goff completed a 10-yard pass to Jameson Williams on 2nd-and-6. A second explosive play arrived via a 17-yard completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Montgomery rushed for seven and 13 yards on consecutive plays, and the between-the-tackles back concluded the impressive drive with a one-yard touchdown.

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Week 4 preview and prediction: Seahawks @ Lions

Week 4 preview and prediction: Seahawks @ Lions

The Seattle Seahawks are seeking their third 4-0 start in franchise history, and their first since the 2020 season. Standing in their way is a quality Detroit Lions team, hungry to end their current six-game losing skid to the Seahawks.

Since defeating Seattle 28-24 in the 2012 season, the Lions have struggled mightily against the Seahawks, especially at home, where they have lost the last two-straight games in each of the last two seasons. In both instances, Seattle outlasted Detroit in wild 48-45 and 37-31 (OT) shootouts. Offensive fireworks have defined the recent series, but on Monday, injuries seem to be taking the center stage.

For the Lions, they will be without their All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, which is a considerable loss to their offensive line. Unfortunately, the Seahawks may not be as able to take advantage as they would have even a week ago. Seattle has already ruled out defensive tackles Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II, as well as pass rushers Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu. The Seahawks defense, particularly the pass rush, has been outright suffocating. Without some of the best players on their defensive front, Jared Goff and Co. may have more time than what quarterbacks this season who have played Seattle have enjoyed.

So the Lions offensive line is weakened, and the Seahawks defensive line is as well. It appears to be a battle between a movable object and a stoppable force. But in today’s NFL, take the side of a weaker offense vs. a weakened defense. Seattle has also shown vulnerabilities against the run, which has plagued this unit for years.

To win this game, the load is likely going to have to be shouldered by the offense. Fortunately for the Seahawks, this unit is getting Kenneth Walker III back into the fold after missing the two previous weeks. Having Walker be the primary ballcarrier, with Zach Charbonnet being able to come off the bench for a change of pace, will help give Seattle’s ground attack more teeth to threaten the Lions.

Geno Smith is also more than capable of performing against Detroit. In the last two games against the Lions, Smith has thrown for 648 yards and four touchdowns, as well as leading the game-winning drive in overtime last year. Smith’s statistics haven’t popped off the page in 2024, but he has been playing exceptionally well. Smith also has the most game-winning drives in the entire NFL since the 2022 season.

The Lions are healthier, more experienced, and more established with this current regime. They are coming off a year where they were two quarters of football away from reaching the Super Bowl. But I can’t help but lean towards the Seahawks in this one. Perhaps it is me leaning on recent history. Perhaps it is an intuition. Or perhaps it is the fact Monday night is Seattle’s night. The Seahawks own the best win percentage (.714) in NFL history on Monday nights, and have gone 3-0 in their last three outings on MNF… including a Week 4 road showdown last year.

Give me the Seahawks in another shootout, with more heroics from Smith late.

Prediction: Seahawks over Lions 38-35

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