It’s been a long time, my friends. For the first time in what feels like forever, the Seattle Seahawks had a comfortable win, blowing out the New Orleans Saints 44-13 at Lumen Field. In case you hadn’t
heard, Seattle was in the midst of the worst eight-game home stretch since that putrid 1992 team with this version going 1-7 in their last eight home contests.
The Seahawks were helped along on their first drive by a Saints penalty, and scored an opening drive touchdown for the second game in a row after not accomplishing that feat since 2023. Rookie Tory Horton returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown – the longest in Seahawks history and the first punt return TD in a decade.
This was a fun one, with Seattle going ahead big early on and then keeping their foot on the gas until bringing in the backups early in the fourth quarter. My heart could use more victories like this!
Seahawks Droppings
- It would be a crime if I didn’t start with the Seahawks special teams units because they were superb today. Jay Harbaugh’s coaching has been maligned in the past – and fairly so – but outside of allowing a long punt return in garbage time, everything was working. We already mentioned Horton’s long punt return TD, and he had a few other nice punt returns to give the offense better field position. Dareke Young busted out a long kick return of his own later in the game. D’Anthony Bell blocked a punt that directly led to the Seahawks third TD. Besides that one poor punt coverage, the tackling on returns was also excellent. Jason Myers was perfect on his field goals and extra points. Good day all around!
- Ok, let’s get the few blemishes out of the way so we can get back to the good stuff. George Holani fumbled in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t big in the grand scheme of things, but it did make the turnover battle a wash. If there’s one thing I would like to see Mike Macdonald’s team clean up, it’s their propensity to turn the ball over. It didn’t matter on this day, yet has bitten them in the past and is still a huge factor in winning football games.
- Derion Kendrick has been an excellent waiver wire pickup by John Schneider, reeling in another interception. Once again, however, he should have had more. Spencer Rattler was lucky an earlier pass went right through Kendrick’s hands. Get him on the jugs machine.
- Robbie Ouzts had some key blocks today, as per usual. Unfortunately, he came up lame in the second half and Mike Macdonald said he has an ankle injury. With a short week coming up, let’s knock on every available piece of wood that Ouzts won’t have to miss any time. The run game needs him.
- There were a few foolish penalties on the Seahawks that extended drives, but what the heck was up with the refs today? Some of those calls were bogus including that second unnecessary roughness on Leonard Williams when Ty Okada swept out Rattler’s legs while he was in Big Cat’s grip and Leo dropped him. Macdonald was furious about that call as he should be.
- Alright, enough nitpicking. Sam Darnold is sure making it look like last season was no fluke. He was calm in the pocket and used his underrated athleticism to get out of danger. That TD throw to Jaxon Smith-Njigba while running to his left was perfect. Darnold also had that perfect drop-in-the-bucket to Tory Horton on the side of the end zone. His command of the offense is impressive, and should only get better as the year goes on.
- Tory Horton is looking more like that player that impressed so much in preseason. He has easy speed and great hands. I can’t wait for him to get more comfortable because I think he’s going to be a star.
- Ken Walker III didn’t have much running room with only 38 yards on 16 carries, but he made them count with two TDs. The first one was particularly impressive as he managed to keep his knees off the ground and fight his way into the end zone. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before he breaks off a 50-yard TD run.
- Kudos to the pass protection. I really only remember one play where Darnold was in trouble and he managed to get out of it. He had plenty of time in the pocket to wait for guys to get open and step into the throw. That feels good to write!
- If the secondary was banged up last week, they were really hurting this week with Julian Love joining Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori on the sidelines. No matter, though, as once again the others stepped up. We already talked about Kendrick and his interception. Riq Woolen must’ve been playing well because I didn’t hear his name called hardly at all. Josh Jobe keeps making plays with a pass breakup in the end zone on third down. And don’t even get me started on Coby Bryant. He’s really coming into his own as a safety, and I think the Seahawks should lock him up on a contract extension right now. He’s so instinctive on his breaks that it allows him to play so got damn fast. How many times did he come screaming out of the secondary to cut down a Saints player near the line of scrimmage? Bryant is playing true to his college Jim Thorpe award-winning pedigree.
Really, I could go on and on if I wanted to. This game was so much fun to watch! The only thing that gives me pause is that I think the Saints are quite bad. You won’t find me complaining, though, and the fact that the Seahawks were able to rest some of their starters at the end of the game is a huge plus considering they have a quick turnaround with a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football. The whole country will be watching and this team is riding high.
