It was an epic duel on Sunday in Seattle, as Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks fell to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-35. In arguably the game of the year so far, Mayfield and Darnold both put together MVP performances while the defenses were absolutely shredded.
As Tampa walked out victorious and feeling like a real Super Bowl threat, where does this loss and performance leave the Seahawks as they continue their journey vs Florida teams, as they head to a hot Jacksonville Jaguars
team on Sunday?
Let’s break it down.
1st Down – The defense has excuses, but still failed biggest test
I think it’s important to give Mike Macdonald and the defense some benefit of the doubt. The defense had been nothing short of elite through the first four games, but the injuries were just too much on Sunday.
Going into the game, we were a little surprised as the week went along, that all three of DeMarcus Lawrence, Devon Witherspoon, and Julian Love were gonna miss the game. Then you add the near immediate loss of Derick Hall and then Riq Woolen in the second half, and all of the sudden you’ve lost over half of your starting defense. Put that type of unit out there and the MVP front runner and runaway Offensive Rookie of the Year are gonna make you pay.
I can live with the loss, knowing that, when healthy, this defense is comfortably a top 10 unit. My concern is that teams get injured. It’s a long way to January, and this roster may not be as deep as I hoped. Once again, the Seahawks failed a big test, and specifically a big test at home. They will now need to make up for it, by getting a massive road win in Duval.
2nd Down – The offense clicked, and it was glorious
Early in the year, I talked about how I thought if the Seahawks could survive the first couple of games, this offense could potentially click, and be a top 12 unit as a best case scenario. Well the offense clicked, and it is even better than probably any Seahawks fan could imagine.
On Sunday, the Seahawks went up against a really strong defense and absolutely took them to the woodshed. The offensive line was dominant, protecting Sam Darnold, and allowing him to have one of the best games we’ve ever seen from a Seahawks quarterback. The running game got better throughout the game, as Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet finally both produced in the same game.
In the passing game, we saw a four man unit of JSN, Cooper Kupp, A.J. Barner and Tory Horton all were at their best and played to the ceiling we all were hopeful for.
If not for two brutal turnovers, the Seahawks win this game. If not for some missed field goals, and another freak turnover in week one, this team is 5-0 and the talk of the NFL.
It definitely sucks to come up short at home, but this team still feels like it is ascending, and it is just learning some painful, but valuable lessons.
3rd Down – What to do with Milroe
I’ve been pro Jalen Milroe, going back to his draft evaluation. Through three snaps, he’s been an absolute negative so far, and his horrific pitch and fumble on Sunday played a big role in the Seahawks loss.
I know that coach Macdonald talked to the media about how Milroe will continue to get opportunities, but I personally have a hard time believing that. Milroe was a potential option or spark for this team, because we thought the offense was gonna struggle to move the ball. That is the opposite of the problem right now. In fact. The only things that are hurting this offense currently are Milroe and freak turnovers, which we saw combined on Sunday.
When he was drafted, we were told that Milroe was going to be developed as a QB. We haven’t seen a play involving anything remotely close to that so far. Let Sam Darnold be the MVP caliber guy right now, and don’t get in his way.
4th Down – Gotta have these next two
Just like all of you, I’m sick and tired of seeing the Seahawks lose at home. These next two weeks are massive opportunities before the bye week arrives. On Sunday, they will head all the way to Jacksonville to take on the 4-1 Jags. We’ll continue to need that “Road Warrior” Macdonald magic as the Jags have been the surprise team so far in the AFC and are coming off one of their biggest regular season wins in franchise history, getting a last second victory over the Chiefs.
While on paper this game looks brutal, there is some hope. Health wise, there’s a chance the Seahawks get Lawrence and Witherspoon back. I think the Seahawks desperately needed at least two of the quarter of injured pass rushers and secondary stars back before heading to Duval. I also think this is a good time to get the Jags.
They are going to be coming off such a massive and emotional victory, there is bound to be a letdown. They also played on Monday night, and the short rest will be difficult for them, especially with Seattle’s physical style of play. Add in the loss of their highly underrated tight end Brenton Strange to IR.
The Seahawks gave away the 49ers game, and then got two big road wins after that. I feel like they gave away the home game against the Bucs, and need to go get a road victory over Jacksonville, to help balance it out.
After that, the Seahawks will host Monday night football against a complicated Houston Texans team. Houston is talented, has won a playoff game the last two years, but feels like something has been off for a while, until they destroyed what was left of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Are they elite? Probably not, but I still think they are a good team, and it is a primetime opportunity at home.
We’re gonna hear all the talk and the ESPN graphics about “what is wrong with Seattle at home?” bits. It is time, if the Seahawks want to make the leap, and be a true division title threat, they can’t just be road warriors, they need to get the home fanbase back believing, and they have to win on Monday night football.
It’s a massive two weeks coming up, and we’re gonna see what this team is made of. I believe I. The staff, the ability of this defense when healthy, and Sam Darnold. They just have to find a way to finish, and get to the bye at 5-2.
