Seahawks Week 2 – Syndication Server

Can Zach Charbonnet carry load for Seahawks if Kenneth Walker misses Week 2?

Seattle Seahawks starting running back Kenneth Walker III missed his second consecutive practice on Thursday. Walker is day-to-day, per head coach Mike Macdonald, with an oblique injury. His participation for Sunday’s Week 2 game versus the New England Patriots is in legitimate doubt.

If Walker is ruled inactive, Zach Charbonnet would receive the start in Seattle’s backfield. Kenny McIntosh would be elevated to No. 2 duties. Charbonnet is capable of carrying a heavier workload. In two starts for Walker last year, he totaled 157 yards and a TD on 38 touches.

Admittedly, Charbonnet struggled to run the football efficiently in the Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. The former UCLA standout rushed for just 12 yards via eight carries, averaging an ineffective 1.5 yards per carry en route to a Pro Football Focus rushing grade of 48.0. Charbonnet did make a big-time impact in the second half via a 30-yard receiving touchdown.

OH HELLO, @zachcharbon! pic.twitter.com/4sdw4kZ0wk

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 8, 2024

Walker was electric on the ground versus the Broncos, rushing for 103 yards and a TD via 20 carries. Occasions like this are exactly what the Seahawks drafted Charbonnet with a second-round pick for despite already having Walker. Charbonnet needs to take on larger responsibility when given the opportunity.

The Patriots defense qualifies as a difficult matchup. They allowed a third-best 70.0 rushing yards in a surprising Week 1 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Pay close attention to Walker’s practice participation on Friday. It could indicate whether Charbonnet is getting the first-team nod or not.

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Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald, Patriots HC Jerod Mayo to make history in Week 2

There’s always a risk when hiring a first-time head coach. The Seattle Seahawks decided to take that leap of faith in the summer when they appointed 37-year-old Mike Macdonald as Pete Carroll’s successor. All signs point to that being an excellent decision thus far.

The Seahawks enjoyed a strong training camp and preseason period. Macdonald quickly asserted himself in the locker room and the players have adapted to his style of leadership. Seattle is 1-0 under Macdonald to boot, following last weekend’s 26-20 victory over the Denver Broncos.

The New England Patriots made a similarly bold decision themselves this offseason. Looking to replace Bill Belichick, the greatest head coach of all time, owner Robert Kraft hired player-turned-coach Jerod Mayo. The 38-year-old Mayo made two Pro Bowls as a Patriots linebacker, won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and more recently had served as the team’s inside linebackers position coach.

When Macdonald’s Seahawks meet Mayo’s Patriots in Week 2 on Sunday, the two ascending leaders will combine to make NFL history. It’ll mark just the sixth occasion since 2000 that two first-time head coaches under 40 will meet in a matchup. It represents quite the achievement for Macdonald and Mayo.

https://twitter.com/gbellseattle/status/1834316935636681016

Mayo’s Patriots are off to an outstanding start themselves. They executed what was arguably the biggest upset of Week 1 when they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10. One of Macdonald or Mayo will go home disappointed on Sunday, but early indications are that both their franchises made quality long-term decisions.

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3 Patriots players Seahawks need to be wary of in Week 2

3 Patriots players Seahawks need to be wary of

The Seattle Seahawks (1-0) have a tricky road matchup against the New England Patriots (1-0) in Week 2. The Patriots stunned the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, defeating them 16-10. Jerod Mayo’s stingy defense held an explosive Bengals offense to 10 points and 224 total net yards of offense. Offensively, their biggest playmakers did enough to win the game.

With that in mind, we’ve identified three Patriots players the Seahawks need to be prepared for in Week 2.

Rhamondre Stevenson

Stud running back Rhamondre Stevenson carried a heavy workload for the Patriots in Week 1 and he was extremely effective. The former Oklahoma standout ran the ball 25 times for 120 yards and a touchdown, averaging an efficient 4.8 yards per carry. The Patriots are also willing to get Stevenson involved in the passing game, hence his three targets on Sunday. Seattle’s front seven must be prepared for the threat he poses.

Christian Gonzalez

Sophomore cornerback Christian Gonzalez picked up where he left off after suffering a season-ending torn ACL injury last year. Gonzalez allowed a passer rating of 87.5 and forfeited just 5.0 yards per reception on the three catches he allowed, according to Pro Football Focus’ charting. There’s a decent chance he’ll shadow DK Metcalf on Sunday.

Keion White

One of the more underrated defensive lineman in the league, if Sunday was any indication, Keion White is primed for a monster breakout season. The former Georgia Tech product was credited with 2.5 sacks on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. White’s PFF pass-rushing grade was a 90.1 in Week 1 as a result, the fourth-highest score handed out. Given Seattle’s offensive line woes, this could spell trouble.

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Seahawks WR DK Metcalf eyes offensive improvement in Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks offense looked rusty, at least during the first half, in Sunday’s 26-20 Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. Ryan Grubb’s unit compiled just 304 yards of total offense, a middling 15th-best in the league. Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw for just 158 net yards, the 20th-highest mark in Week 1. Smith was officially 18-of-25 for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

The Seahawks punted five times, were inefficient on third downs (4-of-12), and lost the time of possession battle (31:14 to 28:46). These metrics displeased superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf, who recorded just three receptions for 29 yards. Metcalf is eyeing better results versus the New England Patriots in Week 2, he told the media on Wednesday.

“We have a pretty good defense and they held us the whole game,” Metcalf said. “We have a tight-knit team in my opinion. The offense stuttered in the first half. Everybody saw it. The way our defense kept responding, they had to go out there and get big stops. We’re going to lean on each other this whole season. Nobody wants to start the season like we did on offense, but we’re going to learn from it.”

The Seahawks have a difficult road matchup against what was a surprisingly good Patriots defense in Week 1. The Patriots defense enters this weekend’s game ranked second in points allowed (10), third in rushing yards allowed (70), and 12th in passing yards (154). Metcalf and his teammates will have to execute with better efficiency if they’re to achieve desired improvement.

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Seahawks can’t fall into trap game against Patriots in Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks (1-0) are road favorites against the New England Patriots (1-0) in Week 2. Mike Macdonald began his tenure with a hard-nosed victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 1. That game was occasionally closer than expected, and the Seahawks shouldn’t underestimate the Patriots.

The Patriots defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 in Week 1. Considering the Patriots are perceived contenders for the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2025, and the Bengals are perceived annual contenders, it was among the most surprising results on opening weekend.

The Patriots did some outstanding things throughout that victory. Jerod Mayo’s defense held the Bengals to 70 rushing yards and 154 passing yards, equaling just 224 total. That gives the Patriots the third-ranked run defense, 12th-ranked pass defense, and second-best scoring defense entering Week 2.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was held to 21-of-29 passing for 164 yards and zero touchdowns. The Patriots forced two turnovers on fumbles by Charlie Jones and Tanner Hudson. The Bengals went 4-of-11 on third down.

The Patriots weren’t as impressive offensively, but they executed a clean operation on that side of the ball. Starting QB Jacoby Brissett did not commit any turnovers, and dual-threat running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed 25 times for 120 yards, one touchdown, and 4.8 yards per carry. Kicker Joey Slye went 3-for-3 on field goals.

The Patriots were prepared to play versus a quality Bengals squad. The Seahawks shouldn’t overlook them. Macdonald must avoid falling victim to a trap game.

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3 Seahawks who need to be better against Patriots in Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks claimed victory in Week 1 over the Denver Broncos. Head coach Mike Macdonald is thrilled to begin his era with a win, but the 26-20 scoreline over a rookie quarterback at Lumen Field was arguably closer than many anticipated. The Seahawks should be road favorites against the New England Patriots in Week 2.

Several of Seattle’s high-end talents were quiet in Sunday’s Week 1 victory. Other starters were below-average performers. We’ve identified three Seahawks players who must showcase improvement in Week 2.

DK Metcalf

No. 1 wide receiver DK Metcalf was limited to three receptions for 29 yards on four targets. Metcalf was only held under 30 receiving yards once in 2023, so this wasn’t the ideal start for Seattle’s dominant wideout in Ryan Grubb’s offense. Starting quarterback Geno Smith must make it a priority to get his big-time playmaker more involved this weekend.

Anthony Bradford

Sophomore right guard Anthony Bradford is the biggest question mark on an offensive line littered with them. The former LSU standout edged out rookie blocker Christian Haynes for the starting gig during training camp and the preseason.

Bradford struggled mightily against the Broncos. He was whistled for three penalties and allowed two pressures en route to a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 30.9. Similar results will eventually get him replaced in the lineup by Haynes.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

It wasn’t just Metcalf that was barely involved in the passing game. Sophomore wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded just two receptions on two targets for 19 receiving yards. Grubb placed more emphasis on establishing the run game, and the receivers suffered as a result.

Smith-Njigba’s 19 yards would have been his fifth-lowest total during his rookie campaign, and his two targets would’ve tied his lowest rookie-season output. It was veteran Tyler Lockett that led the Seahawks in targets, catches, and yards. Smith-Njigba should be more involved versus the Patriots.

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