5 Takeaways from Seahawks-Falcons
K9's Birthday Party in the Dirty South and Byron Murphy for MVP
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This was a big game for the Seahawks. If Seattle couldn’t figure out a way to get a win in Atlanta, they would be looking at a four game losing streak heading into a home game against Buffalo. That would put the players, coaches and fan base on edge. Instead, there is hope again in Seattle. The pass rush was dominant. The third and fourth stringers held their own. Geno was Geno. DK was good. And lastly, Kenneth Walker III was awesome.
The Seahawks are simply a different team when Walker gets the rock and is healthy. As head coach Mike Macdonald said yesterday: “He’s a difference maker for us and we want to get the ball in his hands as much as possible - in the pass game and the run game. When he’s out there, it makes a difference”. This is why it was a little scary when Walker was listed as questionable with an illness. However, that injury report did lead to my favorite tweet of the weekend. I won’t screen shot it in order to keep it PG but let’s just say that Ken Walker had his birthday in Atlanta. Sick? Sure.
The Takeaways are a the Best Takeaway
Heading into week seven, the Seattle Seahawks were nearly last in the NFL in takeaways with only four. With a 24-14 lead, the Seattle offense sputtered despite a defensive penalty on the Falcons. A big play was needed and a big play was provided by the Seahawk defense. Dre’Mont Jones and Derrick Hall absolutely dominated the Falcons tackles, forcing Cousins out of the pocket.
Look at those two eliminating the pocket all together. After Cousins escapes to his left, Boye Mafe pursues and crushes the Falcons quarterback. Hall then scooped up the fumble and took it to the house for a 31-14 lead. Any potential Falcons comeback was stymied by two Seattle interceptions on errant Cousins’ throws. For the Hawks to beat the likes of Josh Allen this week, they will need more of this type of performance. Seattle needs a pass rush that leads to mistakes made by talented QBs and then the secondary has to take advantage.
4th String? No Problem
I am guessing that if you visited the depth chart of any NFL team, you would not find a fourth string offensive tackle. Following the injuries to Abe Lucas, George Fant, and Stone Forsythe, the Seahawks turned to rookie Michael Jerrell at right tackle this week. When Jerrell got beat, he got beat bad. The rookie allowed four hurries/QB pressures which isn’t great. However, when watching film, it is clear that Jerrell has potential and he gave Geno Smith a good pocket on most passing downs.
Something about Jerrell gives me confidence. It is hard to explain what it is, but he looks competent. Jerrell was rated by Pro Football Focus with a 58.3 pass block grade against Atlanta. While that is average at best, it is still better than what Stone Forsythe put up the last three weeks. The Hawks will take it for now as Fant and Lucas try to come back.
Byron Murphy for NFL MVP?
When Byron Murphy plays, the Seahawks are 4-0. Isn’t that the definition of Most Valuable Player? Ok, maybe I am overstating Murphy’s value here but he is part of a pass rush group that changes the game for Seattle. On Sunday, the Seahawks put together their best pressure game of the season against Atlanta. While Dre’Mont Jones and Derrick Hall need their flowers, Byron Murphy stole the show. Watch Murphy blow up the offensive line and tackle Bijan Robinson for a two yard loss.
Later, Murphy’s pressure caused a Kirk Cousins interception.
The very next offensive play by the Falcons is a Murphy pressure that helps cause an errant throw by Cousins for an interception.
Murphy is the real deal. And he isn’t even the best pass rusher statistically. Jarran Reed and Leonard Williams, plus Boye Mafe and Derrick Hall, are all thriving in this defense when it comes to rushing the quarterback. At least old, slow quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins.
The Run Defense Isn’t Fixed
We can’t swing on the pendulum too far after the Atlanta game. While the pass rush had its best performance of the season, the run defense has a long way to go. According to PFF, the rush defense was better this week than they were against New York and San Francisco. Nine of Bijan Robinson’s first 10 carries went for four or more yards. That is not good. The Falcons finished the game with 155 yards rushing and the Seahawks remain toward the bottom of the league in rush defense.
Playmaking Playmakers
When Kenneth Walker III and DK Metcalf have games like this, it is easy to see the Seahawks as a playoff team. Even though both players had better statistical games in past performances, Metcalf and Walker were stars against Atlanta. Walker had limited touches with only 14 carries and two catches, but he performed with those touches. The birthday boy scored two touchdowns and looked as elusive as ever. Metcalf had an awesome touchdown catch right before halftime that put the Hawks up 17-7 and showed his value in the Seattle offense. He also caught a ridiculous grab on the trick play from Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While the Seahawks have some depth of talent, they need their stars to shine in order to get over the hump of being an average team. Metcalf and K9 are those stars.
Thanks for the write up, Kevin. What a great game to watch, huh? I’m hoping Metcalf shakes off the minor sprain and plays vs. Bills. I’m watching game this week w/ big time Bill’s fan and need a great game from the Hawks!