Tag: seahawks news

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

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

The Seattle Seahawks strung together a complete performance in Sunday’s 30-18 Week 14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The offense produced more than 400 yards of offense and completed nearly 50 percent of their third-down attempts. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were Seattle’s three highest-graded players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 84.1

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to be Seattle’s most effective wide receiver this season. JSN caught a first-quarter touchdown on the next play after linebacker Ernest Jones IV intercepted Kyler Murray. All in all, Smith-Njigba totaled a team-high 82 receiving yards and a score via five receptions. He averaged an explosive 16.4 yards per catch.

Zach Charbonnet | 80.4

Zach Charbonnet received an opportunity to lead the backfield after Kenneth Walker III was ruled out with a lower-leg injury. The former UCLA Bruin took full advantage of his opportunity, rushing for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns. Charbonnet was impactful in all phases, adding seven receptions for 59 receiving yards to his offensive totals.

Geno Smith | 79.2

Geno Smith was the architect of Seattle’s stellar offensive performance. The veteran quarterback was efficient, completing 24-of-30 passing attempts for 233 yards, one touchdown, and zero turnovers. Smith pulled the strings for a Ryan Grubb-coached offense that was firing on all cylinders.

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Seahawks’ trade for Ernest Jones IV was best in-season acquisition of 2024

Seahawks’ trade for Ernest Jones IV was best in-season acquisition of 2024

A ton of big-name players were dealt at the NFL trade deadline this season. That list included superstar wide receivers like DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper. None of them have matched Ernest Jones IV’ impact for the Seattle Seahawks.

Jones has been downright outstanding since his arrival. In his first appearance, he totaled a team-high 15 tackles in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. Shortly thereafter, the Seahawks began embarking on an ongoing four-game win streak. In those first two triumphs, Jones recorded a combined 23 tackles in divisional victories over the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.

On Sunday, Jones made another game-changing play in the rematch with the Cardinals. The former Rams linebacker kick-started Seattle’s explosive first quarter by intercepting Kyler Murray. One play later, Geno Smith connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 19-yard touchdown, giving the Seahawks a 10-7 advantage, one they’d never relinquish en route to winning their fourth straight game, including three within the NFC West.

Jones was sent to Seattle by the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Jerome Baker and a 2025 fourth-round selection. Baker has made little-to-no impact in Nashville, and Jones immediately took over the middle linebacker spot in Mike Macdonald’s defense, transforming a previously struggling unit. Throughout the ongoing win streak, the Seahawks are allowing 15.5 points per contest.

Linebacker was Seattle’s biggest sore-spot on defense during the early portion of 2024. Swapping out both starters, Baker and Tyrel Dodson, for Jones and Tyrice Knight has rebuilt the defense. The Seahawks have made some outstanding in-season trades, including acquiring Marshawn Lynch, Duane Brown, and Quandre Diggs. Lynch notwithstanding, Jones is beginning to establish himself in this all-time conversation.

Jones, who recently turned 25, is slated for unrestricted free agency. The Seahawks should possess interest in re-signing him. Jones currently earns $3.116 million per season and will be in a strong position to demand roughly three times that amount.

Jones has been the MVP of Seattle’s defense since his arrival.

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Is this Uchenna Nwosu’s last chance to stick with Seahawks?

Is this Uchenna Nwosu’s last chance to stick with Seahawks?

The Seattle Seahawks activated EDGE Uchenna Nwosu off IR on Thursday. Nwosu will play against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s Week 14 NFC West showdown. This upcoming stint may represent his last opportunity to prove he should stick with the Seahawks for the foreseeable future.

It’s been a difficult period for Nwosu since recording a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2022. The former USC standout missed more than half of the 2023 campaign due to a pectoral injury suffered in Week 7. The 2024 season has welcomed more challenges.

Nwosu suffered an MCL sprain in the preseason finale that kept him sidelined for Seattle’s opening four regular-season contests. The Seahawks never placed him on IR and he healed slightly slower than expected. Nwosu made his 2024 debut against the New York Giants in Week 5, but that only lasted 20 snaps. He exited with a thigh injury and was placed on IR. He’s been absent since.

Nwosu hasn’t been consistently healthy since 2022. Since then, the Seahawks have wisely invested premium resources into the EDGE position, signing Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year contract worth more than $51 million, and drafting Boye Mafe and Derick Hall with back-to-back second round picks in 2022 and 2023. All three of those rushers have produced in Nwosu’s absence.

Nwosu is technically signed through 2026, but he doesn’t possess any guaranteed money remaining on his contract moving forward. General manager John Schneider could release Nwosu from his deal in the offseason and save nearly $15 million versus the 2025 cap if he designates the transaction as a post-June move, according to OverTheCap. The dead-cap charge would be a manageable $6.5 million. If the Seahawks wanted the funds immediately, a pre-June move would penalize them $13 million in dead money while creating $8.4 million in immediate financial flexibility.

The Seahawks are currently scheduled to be $6 million over the 2025 cap. That qualifies as the third-worst cap situation of any team in the league heading into the offseason. It’s a minimal amount that Schneider should easily navigate, but it makes creating funds via releasing players a borderline necessity.

Hall and Mafe are long-term pieces on affordable rookie contracts. Jones is signed through just next season and is an alternative potential cap casualty, buy why would the Seahawks choose to release Jones over Nwosu when the former has been healthy and productive? If Nwosu wants to make this a difficult decision for Schneider, he needs to stay available and impactful down the stretch of the 2024 campaign.

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Will Jaelon Darden solve Seahawks’ special teams woes?

Will Jaelon Darden solve Seahawks’ special teams woes?

The Seattle Seahawks were fortunate to survive a disastrous special teams performance against the New York Jets in last Sunday’s Week 13 win. Veteran return man Laviska Shenault Jr. fumbled twice. Shenault Jr. recovered one of those cough-ups, and the Seahawks eliminated the other one by scoring a pick-six return touchdown on the Jets’ ensuing possession.

Fellow return man Dee Williams also lost a fumble and the Jets capitalized on that error by scoring a touchdown. There were other errors, such as a Jets 99-yard return touchdown. Days later, the Seahawks parted ways with both Williams and Shenault Jr., releasing both players in separate transactions.

Getting rid of both return men left the Seahawks without clear-cut replacement options on the active roster. General manager John Schneider responded to that challenge by claiming wide receiver Jaelon Darden off waivers from the Cleveland Browns.

Darden first entered the league as a fourth-round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in the 2021 NFL Draft. Darden returned punts all four seasons while at North Texas, and also had some experience returning kickoffs. Since joining the pro ranks, he’s continued to be a sure-handed returner.

Darden has returned 78 career punts for 760 yards, averaging a stellar 9.7 yards per return. As a kickoff returner, he’s totaled 27 returns for 565 yards. Most notably for the Seahawks, Darden has never muffed a single punt or kickoff despite a sizable 115 career chances.

Darden has never scored a return touchdown, and his per-return numbers are fairly average, but reliability is often a returner’s best ability. Shenault Jr. and Williams were literally costing the Seahawks possessions and points. Darden should come in and quickly improve the Seahawks’ special teams return outputs.

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

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense 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. Despite picking up the win, Seattle’s offense struggled against Arizona  in Week 12. We’ve compiled three bold predictions for the offense in Week 14.

Seahawks score more than one offensive TD

In the Week 12 victory over the Cardinals, the Seahawks offense took a 7-3 lead in the second quarter via a three-yard passing score from Geno Smith to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That would be Seattle’s lone offensive score of the afternoon. Coby Bryant returned an interception for a 69-yard pick-six for Mike Macdonald’s second and final touchdown. Look for the Seahawks to enjoy more offensive success this time around.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the WR room again

The Seahawks have won three consecutive games and Jaxon Smith-Njigba has led the offense in receptions and receiving yards in all of them. Superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf missed Thursday’s practice with a shoulder injury. With Metcalf’s status for Sunday legitimately hanging in the balance, expect JSN to continue operating as Smith’s go-to target.

Zach Charbonnet thrives

Running back Kenneth Walker III also missed Thursday’s practice with ankle and calf designations. Change-of-pace back Zach Charbonnet ranks second on the offense in touchdowns this season with six. Charbonnet took advantage of an expanded role versus the Cardinals if Walker is absent or even limited.

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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 are still making decisions regarding returners in Week 14

Seahawks are still making decisions regarding returners in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks are entering Sunday’s critical Week 14 showdown with the Arizona Cardinals with unanswered questions at the kickoff and punt return positions. The Seahawks survived an all-time terrible special teams performance in the Week 13 win over the New York Jets.

Laviska Shenault fumbled on two occasions, losing one. Somehow, neither of those errors led to points for the Jets. The Seahawks still responded appropriately, releasing Shenault from his contract earlier this week.

Dee Williams is the logical in-house answer, but he’s also come under scrutiny for his fumbles and turnovers this season. With Shenault officially gone, will Williams receive another opportunity? Head coach Mike Macdonald is still mulling his options, along with special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, he told the media on Wednesday.

The straightforward alternative solution would be third string running back Kenny McIntosh. McIntosh is currently on the 53-man roster and has returned two kicks this campaign, gaining 35 yards (17.5 yards per return). He’s a sure-handed option, but lacks the explosion and vision to be a true difference maker.

Williams is the only Seahawk to return a punt this season. The rookie undrafted free agent out of Tennessee has returned 15 punts for 111 yards. The Seahawks must assess all options, including available free agents and players on their practice squad.

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Seahawks rookie OG Sataoa Laumea preparing for 2nd straight start

Seahawks rookie OG Sataoa Laumea preparing for 2nd straight start

The Seattle Seahawks made the surprising decision to start sixth-round rookie Sataoa Laumea at right guard against the New York Jets in Week 13. Regular starter Anthony Bradford was recently placed on IR with an ankle injury, creating an opening. In a surprising decision, it was Laumea, not third-round rookie Christian Haynes, that was elevated into the starting lineup. After playing well in the victory over the Jets, the first-year contributor is preparing to start his second straight game versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14.

Laumea, a four-year starter for the Utah Utes, enjoyed a stellar NFL debut. Pro Football Focus credited Laumea with allowing two quarterback pressures and zero sacks. His nerves were also on display as he was whistled for two penalties. PFF assigned him a fairly harsh overall grade of 29.3. The eye test indicated he played fine, all things considered.

Starting quarterback Geno Smith was sacked on three occasions by the Jets. The Cardinals have been much better at rushing the passer than their talent on paper indicates. Jonathan Gannon’s aggressive squad has posted a ninth-best 34 sacks in 12 games despite a third-worst 30% pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR), per ESPN Stats & Info. Interior rusher Dante Stills leads the Cardinals in sacks (4.5). Stills could match up against Laumea on Sunday.

The Seahawks will likely evaluate the right guard position on a week-by-week basis. Laumea remains in the starting role for now. Haynes will continue attempting to dethrone him behind the scenes.

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Seahawks P Michael Dickson should be available for Week 14

Seahawks P Michael Dickson should be available for Week 14

Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson suffered a back injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Week 13 victory over the New York Jets. Spasms prevented Dickson from punting in the dying moments of a tight-knit contest. He had punted on three occasions for 141 yards (47 yards per punt) leading up, but his eventual unavailability ironically helped lead Seattle to a win.

The Seahawks were forced to keep their offense on the field for a fourth-down attempt inside their own 40-yard line with under 10 minutes remaining. Seattle converted and later scored a go-ahead touchdown on that drive. They certainly would have punted had Dickson been available.

Head coach Mike Macdonald spoke with the media on Wednesday. Dickson missed practice with those back spasm issues. Macdonald remains optimistic Dickson will be available to punt against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s upcoming Week 14 showdown, though his status remains day-to-day.

Dickson currently ranks 12th in the league in gross average punt yards (48.7). The Seahawks do not currently have a punter on the practice squad. That means general manager John Schneider would be forced to sign one to punt against the Cardinals if Dickson fails to clear the injury report. His status will be worth monitoring at Thursday’s and Friday’s practice sessions.

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Seahawks-Cardinals to have drastic impact on postseason NFC West odds

Seahawks-Cardinals to have drastic impact on postseason NFC West odds

The Seattle Seahawks captured their third consecutive victory, outlasting the New York Jets 26-21 in Week 13. Mike Macdonald’s squad now enters Sunday’s Week 14 showdown versus the Arizona Cardinals in pole position in the NFC West. With the Cardinals (6-6) trailing the Seahawks (7-5) by one game in the division, Sunday’s outcome will have a massive impact on both team’s postseason odds.

A Seahawks victory would increase their chances of making the playoffs to 62%, while lowering the Cardinals’ postseason hopes to 17%, according to FTN Fantasy’s simulation model. On the flip-side, a Cardinals win would increase their playoff chances to 71%, while decreasing Seattle’s to 11%. It’s borderline a must-win game for both teams.

Sunday’s meeting will mark the second and final scheduled contest between the Seahawks and Cardinals this season. The Seahawks began taking ownership of the NFC West by defeating the Cardinals 16-6 at Lumen Field just two weeks ago. Arizona will now possess home-field advantage in the rematch.

The Seahawks were dominant defensively in the first meeting, forcing a Kyler Murray interception, sacking him five times, and preventing Arizona’s offense from scoring a touchdown. The Cardinals gained under 300 total yards of offense and went a combined 3-of-13 on third and fourth down opportunities. Arizona also punted on six occasions and lost the time of possession battle (TOP) by nearly seven full minutes.

The Seahawks could possess a sizable advantage in the NFC West if they complete the regular-season sweep of Arizona on Sunday.

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