Tag: seahawks offense

Seahawks could be down to 4th-string RT vs. Falcons

Seahawks could be down to 4th-string RT vs. Falcons

The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2024 season with quality depth at the right tackle position. Fast forward six games into the campaign and that depth has been completely decimated. There’s an excellent chance the Seahawks will be starting their fourth-string right tackle against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Presumed starter Abe Lucas remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list without a clear-cut return date in mind. Replacement starter George Fant is on IR. Stone Forsythe has started every contest at right tackle since Fant went on IR, but Forsythe is now dealing with a hand injury that places his Sunday status in doubt.

Head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb may be deciding between veteran 21-year-pro Jason Peters and rookie blocker Michael Jerrell on Sunday. The Seahawks have been preparing the 42-year-old Peters to make his season debut since signing him to the practice squad in early October. Jerrell is a sixth-round rookie that hasn’t played an offensive snap this season.

If Peters is physically ready to play, surely the Seahawks will promote him from the practice squad. Jerrell is a small-school rookie hailing from Findlay, a Division II program. He’s still acclimating to this level of football. Whichever decision the Seahawks make will be an unforeseen one.

Seahawks should get RB Kenneth Walker involved in passing game vs. Falcons

Seahawks should get RB Kenneth Walker involved in passing game vs. Falcons

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has been productive in the passing game this season. Despite missing two contests due to injury, Mike Macdonald’s dual-threat back has produced 21 receptions on 24 targets for 136 yards in four appearances. Averaging six passing targets per game, Walker actually ranks first among all running backs in targets per game this season.

Sunday’s Week 7 opponent is the Atlanta Falcons. Raheem Morris’ defense has struggled when tasked with defending running backs in the passing game. The Falcons defense ranks 26th in targets allowed to opposing running backs, according to Pro Football Focus.

It’s a surprising stat considering Atlanta’s pass defense currently ranks ninth in yards allowed per game (193). If the likes of D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba struggle to create separation on Sunday, starting quarterback Geno Smith should target Walker early and often versus a defense that struggles to cover running backs coming out of the backfield.

Seattle’s passing attack currently sits atop the entire league at 276.7 yards per outing. Walker recorded a season-high eight receptions for 37 yards the last time out versus the San Francisco 49ers. His passing-game involvement should be in that same neighborhood against the Falcons on Sunday.

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Seahawks C Connor Williams is showcasing weekly improvement

Seahawks C Connor Williams is showcasing weekly improvement

The Seattle Seahawks signed free-agent center Connor Williams in August to help solidify an interior offensive line that went into the 2024 season with massive question marks. Fast forward six games into the campaign, and both left guard (Laken Tomlinson) and right guard (Anthony Bradford/Christian Haynes) have been problem spots for the Seahawks. Thankfully, Williams has been rock solid.

Williams arguably played his best game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Among all offensive lineman, Williams played the most pass-blocking snaps (53) with allowing a single pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.

It marked the first game this campaign Williams wasn’t credited with allowing a pressure, mind you he’s allowed just one (1) pressure in four of his other five appearances. Williams’ worst performance came against the New England Patriots in Week 2, when he was assigned blame for three pressures. The former Texas Longhorn standout has allowed two sacks.

Williams’ PFF pass-blocking grade of 70.3 was his second-best single-game mark this year, trailing just the 70.7 he earned in protection against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. Overall, Williams has Seattle’s second-best grade in pass protection this season, with left tackle Charles Cross (77.8) leading the way.

The Seahawks have unfortunately struggled to protect quarterback Geno Smith this season. Collectively, they’ve posted a 52% pass-block-win-rate (PBWR), 28th-best in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

At least Williams has solved the center position.

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Turnover deficit has been consistent problem for Seahawks

Turnover deficit has been consistent problem for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks committed three turnovers in Thursday’s Week 6 defeat to their NFC West arch rival San Francisco 49ers. Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw two interceptions. Kick returner Laviska Shenault also lost a fumble on special teams. By comparison, the 49ers played a clean, turnover-free game. It made a sizable difference in a two-score ball game.

The Seahawks have committed 10 turnovers, third-most of any team in the league through Week 6. Meanwhile, head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde have seen their unit force just four takeaways, tied for fifth-worst in the NFL. The minus-6 (-6) differential is tied for third-worst in the league.

Safety Julian Love discussed the turnover issues that have plagued the Seahawks all season long.

“It starts with me on the defense and we have to create more turnovers,” Love said. “We have to get the ball [back to our offense]. Going minus three against a team like this [49ers], you put yourself in a giant hole.”

 

The Seahawks play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Falcons have committed just seven turnovers in six games this campaign. Macdonald and Durde will hope to create turnovers against a fairly disciplined offense.

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Seahawks veteran WR Tyler Lockett dishes on 3-game losing streak

Seahawks veteran WR Tyler Lockett dishes on 3-game losing streak

The Seattle Seahawks dropped their third consecutive contest on Thursday, losing 36-24 to their NFC West arch rival San Francisco 49ers. It was an extremely sloppy performance by the Seahawks, who are now 3-3 despite starting the new campaign at a perfect 3-0.

Veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett was among Seattle’s best performers. Lockett recorded four receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. His late fourth-quarter score gave the Seahawks hope of attempting a come-from-behind victory. San Francisco’s next play from scrimmage went for a 76-yard run.

Lockett discussed the defeat with reporters on Thursday evening.

“I haven’t seen anybody give up out here,” Lockett said. “When I first got to the league, you’d hear stories about, obviously when you get close to the playoffs, you’ll see teams tap out and players check out. We’re not going to check out on each other. We’re going to fight to the very end. Even though we lost the game, we were still trying to score at the end. We can’t just tap out, we can’t just throw in the towel. Our players, our coaches, they’re not going to do that. You’ll see who you really are in the face of adversity. We’re going to press through instead of running away from it.”

It’s encouraging to hear that Seattle’s locker room is sticking together through a three-game losing streak. The Seahawks have an incredibly difficult slate of upcoming games, so that togetherness is necessary. Following the defeat on Thursday Night Football, the Seahawks travel to Atlanta after this mini-bye to face the Kirk Cousins-led Falcons before returning to Lumen Field to host the Super Bowl contending Buffalo Bills.

Lockett will need to continue rallying his teammates in the face of adversity.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks RB Kenenth Walker vs. 49ers

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks RB Kenenth Walker vs. 49ers

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb have spent the entire week leading up Thursday night’s NFC West showdown game versus the San Francisco 49ers talking about getting running back Kenneth Walker more involved on offense. Walker saw a season-low five carries in last weekend’s disappointing defeat to the New York Giants.

Walker rushed for 19 yards and received just a handful of opportunities despite the Seahawks being tied 10-10 at halftime. Macdonald’s squad never trailed by more than one possession until the final minute of the fourth quarter. Despite that, Walker was largely neglected.

With Walker supposedly being heavily involved in the game-plan for Thursday’s divisional game versus the rival 49ers, we’ve cooked up three bold predictions for his statline.

Walker sees a season-high amount of carries

Walker saw a season-high 20 carries in the Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. He was then sidelined by injury, and returned to a 12-carry workload against the Detroit Lions in primetime before the inexcusable five-carry showing versus the Giants. With Walker being a focal point of Grubb’s attack, he should easily surpass his previous personal-high 20 carries on Thursday night.

Walker rushes for 100-plus yards

Walker rushed for 103 yards against the Broncos, and nearly reached triple digits again versus the Lions (80). The former Michigan State standout rushed for 100-plus yards just once last season, but his current form indicates more success is on the horizon. It’ll be tough sledding versus a ninth-ranked 49ers defense allowing 110.8 rushing yards per game, but Walker’s potential volume indicates he could cross the 100 yard rushing mark.

Walker scores a rushing touchdown

Walker scored a rushing touchdown against the Broncos, adding three more scores versus the Lions. He didn’t score against the Giants, but that could be chalked up to receiving five carries. Walker’s sizable workload against San Francisco should help the versatile ball-carrier visit the end zone.

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Watch Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba sell a fake-out for a big Geno Smith gain

Watch Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba sell a fake-out for a big Geno Smith gain

NFL players are often judged by the statistics posted in the box score. Analyzing the film can offer a friendly reminder that there are multiple ways to impact a game. Seattle Seahawks sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba offered a terrific example of just that in Sunday’s disappointing Week 5 defeat to the New York Giants.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith rushed for a season-high 72 yards against the Giants. Smith’s longest pick-up of the afternoon went for a 32-yard gain. It was his largest rushing output since becoming Seattle’s starting quarterback in 2022, and his longest individual run, too. Smith-Njigba aided that gain by running a deep route and calling for the ball despite knowing his quarterback was scrambling, pulling two secondary defenders with him. and away from his vet QB.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all positive for JSN on Sunday. The second-year wideout dropped a critical third-down pass from Smith late in the fourth quarter that directly led to the block field-goal attempt on the ensuing fourth down.

Smith-Njigba has recorded 29 receptions for 289 yards and one touchdown through five contests. Smith-Njigba and the entire Seahawks offense will receive a quick opportunity to enjoy a bounce-back performance later this week versus the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football in a critical NFC West showdown.

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Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes ownership for dropped pass in Week 5 loss

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes ownership for dropped pass in Week 5 loss

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a shocking 29-20 Week 5 defeat to the New York Giants on Sunday. Seattle’s offense possessed the ball trailing 23-20 with under two minutes remaining. The loss was confirmed when the Giants blocked a Jason Myers 47-yard game-tying field goal attempt and returned it for a touchdown.

Prior to the field goal that would have potentially sent the contest to overtime, the Seahawks were facing a 3rd-and-4 from the Giants’ 28-yard line. Had quarterback Geno Smith and the offense converted, Seattle could have continued embarking on a potential game-winning drive. Sophomore receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba dropped Smith’s third-down pass, however, leading to the blocked field goal on the ensuing down.

Smith-Njigba accepted blame for the dropped pass that led to the unfortunate turn of events during his post-game presser with the media.

“Just didn’t execute well,” a disappointed looking Smith-Njigba said. “We stopped ourselves today.”

Smith-Njigba recorded just four receptions via seven targets for 31 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the season. In total, the sophomore wideout has 29 catches for 289 yards through five contests. Smith-Njigba will receive a quick opportunity to enjoy a bounce-back performance later this week versus the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football in a critical NFC West showdown.

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Seahawks received much-needed humbling in Week 5 loss to Giants

Seahawks received much-needed humbling in Week 5 loss to Giants

The Seattle Seahawks entered Sunday’s Week 5 contest versus the New York Giants at an impressive 3-1. Mike Macdonald’s squad were one of few undefeated teams remaining in the league following the conclusion of Week 3. Sunday’s home defeat to the Giants made it consecutive losses for a Seahawks team that’s now been humbled.

Seattle’s opening three victories occurred over the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins. They captured hard-fought victories over rookie quarterback Bo Nix, and a lackluster Jacoby Brissett in Weeks 1 and 2. In Week 3, the Seahawks had to be merely physically present against the Tua Tagovailoa-less Dolphins.

A 42-29 Week 4 loss to the Detroit Lions was acceptable. The Seahawks were short-handed, missing a handful of notable defenders through injury. A high-scoring defeat to a Super Bowl contending Lions squad that qualified for the NFC Championship Game last season was deemed understandable.

Sunday’s loss to the Giants, however, was not acceptable.

Macdonald and the Seahawks must do some quick soul-searching after losing to Daniel Jones at Lumen Field. The Seahawks still remain atop the NFC West after the Arizona Cardinals upset the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Seattle doesn’t possess much time to identify Sunday’s shortcomings. They’re on a short week, scheduled to host the 49ers on Thursday Night Football.

The Seahawks were welcomed back down to earth after a dreamlike first versus weaker opponents. A loss to the Giants should motivate coach Macdonald to identify and address the issues that made such a shocking home defeat possible.

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Updated pass protection, run blocking metrics for Seahawks heading into Week 5

Updated pass protection, run blocking metrics for Seahawks heading into Week 5

The Seattle Seahawks have struggled to protect starting quarterback Geno Smith this season. Heading into Sunday’s Week 5 game versus the New York Giants, Smith has been sacked on 11 occasions, 11th-most in the league. It’s worth acknowledging one of the quarterbacks in the top 10 is Baker Mayfield, who has already played this week.

Struggling right tackle Stone Forsythe, the team’s third-string option, has allowed a team-high 20 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Left tackle Charles Cross (13) and left guard Laken Tomlinson (11) are Seattle’s other two offensive lineman who have allowed more than 10 pressures. Forsythe and right guard Anthony Bradford have allowed a team-high two sacks apiece.

ESPN Stats & Info also measures pass protection efficiency. The Seahawks currently rank 29th in pass-block-win-rate (PBWR) at 49%. They are also struggling in the run game, placing 30th in run-block-win-rate (RBWR) at 67%. As an offense, Seattle ranks 21st in rushing at 106.3 ground yards per outing.

Perhaps that could be attributed to Kenneth Walker’s injury. In two appearances, Walker has rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns while averaging an explosive 5.7 yards per carry. His permanent return to the lineup could see Seattle improve in the run-blocking-win-rate metric.

Seattle’s offensive line remains a work in process. General manager John Schneider recently signed 21-year veteran right tackle Jason Peters to the practice squad. Peters could eventually replace Forsythe while Abe Lucas and George Fant remain sidelined. The team is also holding competition at right guard between Bradford and rookie blocker Christian Haynes.

Hopefully the Seahawks can find the right combination up front soon to fully unlock Ryan Grubb’s offense.

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