Tag: seahawks vs. vikings

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Vikings in Week 16

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Vikings in Week 16

The Seattle Seahawks’ defense struggled in a Week 15 blowout defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Mike Macdonald’s unit allowed the opposing quarterback to throw for 227 yards and two touchdowns while completing 20-of-27 passes. Seattle also racked up 108 yards in penalties. Desperately needing a bounce-back versus the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, we’ve compiled three bold predictions for the defense on Sunday.

Coby Bryant keeps the good times rolling

Coby Bryant has played his way into a full-time role in Aden Durde’s secondary. The former Cincinnati Bearcat has three interceptions, five pass breakups, and a defensive touchdown this season. Bryant will attempt to lure Sam Darnold, who is occasionally mistake-prone, into a turnover or two.

Seahawks keep Justin Jefferson out of the end zone

Seattle’s secondary struggled against Jordan Love and his cast of weapons. On Sunday, they’ll be facing the best wide receiver on the planet in Justin Jefferson. After enduring a six-game scoreless streak, Jefferson has reached the end-zone three times in consecutive Vikings victories. Cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon will have their hands full.

Leonard Williams dominates

Leonard Williams has been dominant for Macdonald’s defense this season, recording seven sacks in 13 regular-season appearances. Williams has totaled a team-high 42 pressures. The Vikings are dealing with some injuries across their offensive line. Look for the veteran defensive lineman to take advantage.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Vikings in Week 16

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Vikings in Week 16

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a difficult Week 16 matchup against a Minnesota Vikings defense that’s allowing a fourth-best 18.0 points per contest. Ryan Grubb’s offense is looking to bounce back despite the sizable challenge after scoring 13 points and totaling just 208 yards of offense in a blowout primetime defeat to the Green Bay Packers. We’ve compiled three “Bold Predictions” for Sunday’s regular-season home finale versus the Vikings.

Geno Smith plays a turnover-free game

Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw a costly interception into the end-zone versus the Packers. The veteran quarterback has now thrown 14 touchdowns versus 13 interceptions, but Seahawks fans should appreciate him more after watching Sam Howell play in relief. Smith should be healthy enough to play on Sunday, and he’ll be placing extra emphasis on protecting the football against an opportunistic Vikings defense.

Zach Charbonnet plays, thrives

Kenneth Walker III was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. Meanwhile Zach Charbonnet was an unexpected addition to Wednesday’s injury report with an oblique issue. Friday afternoon’s practice and media session should deliver more clarity regarding Charbonnet’s game-day status. If Walker III has to carry the workload, expect the ex Michigan State standout to pick up where he left off as he prepares to return from a two-game absence.

Sataoa Laumea bounces back

Rookie right guard Sataoa Laumea really struggled versus the Packers. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing an unfathomable 10 pressures in pass protection and one sack. The sixth-round interior offensive lineman should bounce back. The Vikings aren’t as deep at defensive tackle as the Packers are.

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Seahawks Week 16 injury report: Ken Walker returns to practice

Seahawks Week 16 injury report: Ken Walker returns to practice

The Seattle Seahawks have received another bit of good injury news this week. On Wednesday, it was revealed quarterback Geno Smith was a full participant at practice. Smith injured his knee during the Week 15 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but it appears he is on track to start in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Potentially joining him in the backfield is running back Kenneth Walker III, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Walker was a non-participant on Wednesday’s practice, but returned for Thursday! While there is still a few days to go before we know for sure if Walker will make his return to play the Vikings, this is certainly an encouraging sign!

The full injury report from Thursday’s practice is below.

Did Not Participate:

  • TE Brady Russell – Foot
  • DE Leonard Williams – Foot/NIR-rest
  • LB Trevis Gipson – Ankle
  • T Abe Lucas – Knee/NIR-rest
  • NT Johnathan Hankins – Illness/NIR-rest

Limited Participation:

  • RB Zach Charbonnet – Oblique
  • C Olu Oluwatimi – Knee
  • CB Tre Brown – Hamstring
  • LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee

Full Participation:

  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Calf
  • WR DK Metcalf – Shoulder
  • G Laken Tomlinson – NIR-Rest
  • WR Tyler Lockett – NIR-Rest
  • NT Jarran Reed – NIR-Rest
  • TE AJ Barner – Shoulder
  • QB Geno Smith – Knee
  • S K’Von Wallace – Ankle

Seahawks injury report: Geno Smith full participant at practice

Seahawks injury report: Geno Smith full participant at practice

The Seattle Seahawks have released their first injury report of the week, and it appears the team dodged a hefty bullet. During Seattle’s blowout loss to the Packers, quarterback Geno Smith exited the game with a knee injury and did not return. However, Smith’s prognosis was optimistic and was expected to be a participant in Wednesday’s practice according to head coach Mike Macdonald.

The optimism was not misplaced, as Smith was a full participant at practice. Seattle did have a long list of those who did not participate, but their starting quarterback was mercifully not among them. Smith is on track to getting back onto the field for a critical Week 16 showdown against the 12-2 Minnesota Vikings.

Seattle’s full injury report for Wednesday’s practice is listed below.

  • Did Not Participate:
  • RB Zach Charbonnet – Oblique
  • TE Brady Russell – Foot
  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Calf
  • WR DK Metcalf – Shoulder
  • C Olu Oluwatimi – Knee
  • DE Leonard Williams – Foot/NIR-Rest
  • CB Tre Brown – Hamstring
  • G Laken Tomlinson – NIR-Rest
  • WR Tyler Lockett – NIR-Rest
  • NT Jarran Reed – NIR-Rest

Limited Participation:

  • TE Noah Fant – Knee
  • LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee
  • LB Trevis Gipson – Ankle

Full Participation:

  • T Abraham Lucas – Knee
  • TE AJ Barner – Shoulder
  • QB Geno Smith – Knee
  • S K’Von Wallace – Ankle

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K.J. Wright moves into 3rd place on Seahawks all-time tackles list

Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright is now third in franchise history in tackles, behind teammate Bobby Wagner and Eugene Robinson.

The Seattle Seahawks earned a hard-fought 37-30 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football – giving them a 10-2 record and a spot atop the standings in the hyper-competitive NFC West.

One of the many standouts on Seattle’s defense Monday was linebacker K.J. Wright, who recorded nine combined tackles and one pass defended.

With those nine tackles, Wright officially moved into third place on Seattle’s all-time tackles list, passing longtime Seahawks linebacker Keith Butler.

Wright also eclipsed 100 tackles on the season, the fifth time in his career that he has passed that mark.

In fact, assuming Wright stays healthy for the team’s final four games, he has a great chance to break his career-high of 130 combined tackles, set back in 2014.

Wright’s performance this year has flown a little under the radar, but considering he only played in five games last year after dealing with a myriad of injuries, it’s impressive he has rebounded so well at age 30.

Wright is now behind longtime teammate Bobby Wagner and former safety Eugene Robinson on Seattle’s all-time tackling list. Wagner hopes Wright will join him in the top-two at some point – but he’s content with him sticking right there.

“It would be really cool if when it’s all said and done it’s Bobby and K.J. right next to each other,” Wagner said in October after he took over as Seattle’s top tackler.

“Obviously, Bobby on top though.”

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Penalty free offense a huge factor in Seahawks Week 13 victory

The Seattle Seahawks only committed one penalty on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, a big factor in their crucial victory.

The Seattle Seahawks earned a crucial win against the Minnesota Vikings in primetime on Monday night to move to 10-2 on the season.

The defense was exceptional – earning three takeaways and consistently frustrating Kirk Cousins and Minnesota’s offense – but it was a consistent offensive attack that ended up getting the job done against a stout Vikings defensive front.

A big factor was the absence of penalties on Seattle’s offense, something that has been a big issue throughout the year and has been a big emphasis in recent weeks.

“It’s always a point of emphasis for us to have clean hands and no holding penalties, no pre-snap penalties,” left tackle Duane Brown said after the game. “Last week (against Philadelphia) we had some rough areas with that. It’s always a point of emphasis for us. Tonight we played clean and that’s been the difference.”

Seattle as a team did not get penalized until the fourth quarter, when Tre Flowers was called for a defensive pass interference on Stefon Diggs. That was the only penalty called on Seattle all game, a remarkable feat for a team that normally ranks among the most penalized teams in the NFL.

“There’s not been very many times like that,” coach Pete Carroll said after the game. “I’m not quite sure what got into us on that one, but I like it. It was great, it was a really clean game.”

For now, Seattle is atop the NFC West and sits in second place in the entire conference. For that to hold, they’ll need that disciplined offensive line to show up in each of the next four weeks, as penalty issues will certainly hamper their chances of staying atop the very competitive NFC.

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Week 13 snap counts: Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Seattle Seahawks split their running back duo nearly identically in their Monday night victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

The Seattle Seahawks are officially in first place in the NFC West after defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 37-30, in front of a raucous crowd on Monday Night Football.

One of the biggest successes on Monday was the pairing of Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson in the backfield, as the duo nearly split playing time identically – with Carson getting 39 snaps and Penny getting 35.

Additionally on offense, receiver Tyler Lockett was on the field for 66 snaps despite coming into the game with flu-like symptoms.

Jacob Hollister remains the team’s primary option at tight end, earning 61 snaps, while veteran receiver Jaron Brown saw eight snaps in his first game action after being inactive in each of the last two weeks.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks once again relied heavily on their base 4-3 defense. Mychal Kendricks and Cody Barton had 27 and 11 snaps, respectively, while nickel corner Akeem King had 18 snaps – which equaled 33 percent of Seattle’s defensive plays.

Here is a complete look at the snap counts and playing time percentages for the Seahawks on Monday night.

And for the Vikings:

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Fake punt gives Seahawks rookie Travis Homer his first career carry

The Seattle Seahawks ran a fake punt in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings, giving rookie Travis Homer his first NFL carry.

Seattle Seahawks running back Travis Homer has not had an active role in the team’s offense so far this season. Buried behind Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and at times C.J. Prosise, the rookie has not had a chance to show what he can do coming out of the backfield.

Instead, Homer has made a living as a core special teamer, first primarily as a hitter and more recently as a kick returner, a role he has held the past two games while Tyler Lockett recovered – first from a leg injury and then from the flu.

Monday night’s game not only saw Homer return two kicks for 51 yards, but he also got a surprise carry – on a fake punt the Seahawks ran in the fourth quarter on fourth and two.

Homer not only easily converted a first down, he scampered 29 yards down the sideline to give Seattle excellent field position.

“The guys did it beautifully,” Carroll commented after the game. “The timing was exactly right.”

Homer’s role is steadily growing with the Seahawks, and while he’s still buried on the running back depth chart, his strong play on the special teams will make him an invaluable piece of this team going forward.

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Seattle Seahawks Week 13 player of the game: Rashaad Penny

Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny had his first career two touchdown game, en route to his second straight player of the week.

The Seattle Seahawks always keep things interesting, and what was shaping up to be a blowout turned into a narrow 37-30 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.

It wasn’t the prettiest game (is it ever?) but the player of the game honor – for the second week in a row – goes to running back Rashaad Penny.

Penny, who has been nearly non-existent for the majority of the season, carried the ball 15 times for 74 yards and a touchdown, while also hauling in four receptions (on five targets) for 33 yards and a touchdown on a screen pass – giving him his first career two touchdown game.

“I thought Rashaad looked so fast tonight,” coach Pete Carroll commented postgame. “He just looked so explosive. The screenplay was a beautiful call, beautiful execution. It just showed that burst that he has and why he’s so exciting.”

While Carson outgained Penny, rushing 23 times for 102 yards, it was Penny’s work as both a receiving threat and a runner out of the backfield that gave him the honor this week.

Seahawks fans have been waiting nearly two years for the 1-2 punch of Penny and Carson to show up together in the same game, and the duo picked a great game to finally do it – as the win gives Seattle sole possession of first place in the NFC West, where they hold the tiebreaker over San Francisco.

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Instant analysis of Seattle’s 37-30 win over Minnesota

The Seattle Seahawks won yet another thriller on Monday Night Football, this time beating the Minnesota Vikings, 37-30, to move to 10-2.

A back-and-forth affair on Monday Night Football resulted in a narrow Seattle Seahawks victory, 37-30, over the Minnesota Vikings.

The win brings the Seahawks to 10-2 on the season, and gives them sole possession of first place in the NFC West over the 49ers – who have an identical record but who Seattle holds a tiebreaker over.

The Seahawks and Vikings kept things close in the first half, with Minnesota heading into the locker room with a 17-10 lead after drilling a field goal as time expired.

The score would have been tied had it not been for a bizarre interception thrown by Russell Wilson. Wilson threw a pass that was batted away at the line by defensive tackle Armon Watts. Wilson attempted to knock the ball through the air to a receiver but it was instead picked off by defensive back Anthony Harris who ran it in for a touchdown.

Seattle rebounded with a strong third quarter however, as the team rattled off 24 unanswered points, 17 in the third, thanks to a one-yard touchdown run from Rashaad Penny, a Jason Myers field goal and a 60-yard bomb from Wilson to David Moore with five seconds remaining in the quarter. It was the first passing touchdown of the game for either side.

Seattle carried that momentum into the fourth, with a Tre Flowers interception leading to the second passing touchdown of the game, this time a 13-yard reception by Rashaad Penny – his second score in another remarkable performance for the second-year pro.

However, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins got in on the fun shortly after, finding Laquon Treadwell on a 58-yard touchdown to bring the score within 10.

Seattle looked to have the game in hand midway through the fourth, but a costly DK Metcalf fumble allowed Cousins to march back down the field, and he found veteran Kyle Rudolph for a touchdown to bring the game within four, thanks to a missed PAT by Dan Bailey.

Seattle managed to hang on however, and while it wasn’t pretty, and Wilson certainly didn’t do anything to help his MVP candidacy, (240 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 98.9 passer rating) the Seahawks are now in possession of first place in the NFC West, and dramatically improved their odds of securing a playoff spot and potentially a first round bye.

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