On Sunday it felt like it was safe to believe in the Seahawks again.
The loss to the Rams in Week 1 sparked a crisis of faith about where this season could be headed.
And while the Week 2 win over the Lions was a really good and entertaining win, it was also just a win against the Detroit Lions, who, however improved, are still a franchise that has never had a super Bowl experienced victory.
That victory, however, was bolstered by a 37-27 win Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, which featured a balanced offense and a defense that did falter a few times – and broke once in a somewhat nerve-wracking second quarter – but then The big plays made they were needed the most.
Postgame coverage: Seahawks 37, Panthers 27
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With the struggling New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals now on the line, Seattle’s chance to get the start it needs to stay in the NFC West race is within reach.
About the notes:
quarterback
For a while, it didn’t feel like one of Geno Smith’s better games, especially in the first half when Seattle went 1 of 8 on third downs. But when you look at the end, it’s there: 23 of 36 for 296 yards and a touchdown and a whirling dervish of a two-score game that brought back memories of that Russell Wilson guy to top it all off. He’ll want the interception back, but that was a game-winning performance and that’s all that matters.
Degree: b
Run back
This, THIS, was the kind of two-headed monster performance the Seahawks had been looking for for years. When Kenneth Walker III wasn’t juking and dancing his way past defenders for 97 yards on 18 carries, Zach Charbonnet ran over them for 46 yards on nine carries. Walker also caught three passes for 59 yards, including a 36-yarder that was as great as any in the game. The result is that the two combined for 143 yards on 27 carries and four receptions for 58 more. That will work.
Degree: A
Recipient
So much for DK Metcalf being questionable in this case. Instead, this was something of a statement game for Metcalf, who had a somewhat uneven start to the season with two penalties that resulted in three fines and seven receptions for 107 yards. He eclipsed that distance Sunday with six balls for 112 yards on eight targets. Tyler Lockett had three catches for 34 yards, but provided one of the game’s most memorable moments with his deke-out, two-point catch in the fourth quarter. And yes, the Seahawks got “More Bobo” when Jake Bobo made his first touchdown grab that preceded Lockett’s two-point throw. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was quiet, with one catch for 10 yards. But that didn’t matter that day.
Degree: A
Close end
No, Will Dissly, whatever. The Seahawks had another big day in this group, with Noah Fant (4-41) and Colby Parkinson (3-38) doing plenty of damage in crucial moments. Newcomer Brady Russell also had a few snaps and a tackle on the first punt of the game.
Degree: A
Offensive line
The Seahawks began the game with three backup offensive linemen, while right guard Phil Haynes was sidelined with a calf injury and was replaced by rookie Anthony Bradford, and Jake Curhan and Stone Forsythe were back at the tackle spots. In the second quarter, left guard Damien Lewis was out for a while, and Ben Brown – signed on September 4th – was forced into the game. This led to some uneven moments later in the second quarter, particularly on third downs. But Lewis came back in the second half and the line play evened out. Smith was hit just twice in the final two quarters after taking six hits in the first half. Also give the line credit for making the running game get better at the end too.
Degree: b
Defensive line
Jarran Reed had 1.5 sacks to lead perhaps the boys’ best overall performance of the year. One caveat is that Carolina is pretty banged up on their O-line without one of their starting guards. But this is how it should look compared to backups. The Panthers had just 44 yards on 14 carries – and just 26 on 10 carries from their running backs – and only handed the ball off to their running backs three times for 3 yards in the second half. Seattle had 11 quarterback hits after scoring eight in the first two games.
Degree: A
Linebackers
The interior defenders were a big part of the running game’s success – Jordyn Brooks led the way with nine tackles, a half-sack and a tackle for loss. Devin Bush started in base defense at third linebacker, something Seattle hadn’t done much of before but was likely due to injuries in the secondary and a desire to defend the running game. From the fullbacks, Boye Mafe had a good game as he sniffed out a bootleg to sack Andy Dalton, while Derick Hall had a quarterback hit and deflected a pass.
Degree: B-plus
Secondary
There was a major breakdown here – the miscommunication that led to a 47-yard touchdown from Dalton to DJ Chark in the second quarter (it appeared Quandre Diggs let Chark go for a safety because he thought he had help behind him). ). Seattle also once again dealt with an in-game injury at cornerback, as Tre Brown left with a concussion in the second quarter and was replaced by Michael Jackson.
Jackson gave up a hard-contested 36-yard reception from Dalton to Chark that led to Carolina’s other touchdown when the game was still uncertain. But it was also a pretty active day on the back end, as Seattle had six passes defended from the secondary — led by two each from rookie Devon Witherspoon (who also had a team-high 11 tackles) and Julian Love.
Artie Burns, playing nickel in place of the injured Coby Bryant, also had a pass defended and tight coverage that forced an incompletion on third down after Carolina’s interception, leaving the deficit at 13-9 instead of possibly 17-9.
Degree: B-minus
Special teams
What a boost for Jason Myers, who came into the game ranked 3rd of 6 players on the season and set a team record with five field goals on five attempts. None were longer than 43 yards, but they all had to be made. DeeJay Dallas had a few good returns (29 on a kickoff, 14 on a punt).
Degree: A
Coaching
Seattle had a good defensive plan to apply some pressure up the middle at times and take advantage of Carolina’s injury issues in the middle of the offensive line. And that was a solid mix of offensive play calls with 40 dropbacks and 29 runs. The bigger picture is that a team that was floundering two weeks ago is now 2-1 – perhaps just as everyone expected at the start of the season.
Degree: A
Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or [email protected]; on twitter: @bcondotta. Bob Condotta covers the Seahawks for the Seattle Times. He reports on the team daily throughout the year.