Coming off a frustrating defeat last week against the Los Angeles Rams, the Seattle Seahawks took a trip back east and took care of business in a 30-24 victory over hapless Tennessee Titans.
While the score
doesn’t exactly tell the whole story of the game, it was a more competitive game than most fans would have thought, which was indicative of how the entire NFL felt on Sunday.
Sitting at 8-3, this is the best record the Seahawks have had after 11 games since the 2020 Seattle Seahawks. As Seattle continues a three game stretch against some brutal teams, we break down Sunday’s win and what it means going forward.
First Down: Fantastic Mr. Smith-Njigba
So I had a business trip this week, where I went down to Florida. On the long flight back, I chose to rewatch one of my favorite movies ever, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox.
In the movie, George Clooney flawlessly voices Mr. Fox, who despite hilariously ridiculous lengths the local farmers go to catching this thief, he just toys with them and can take whatever he wants. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the fantastic Mr. Fox. On Sunday, JSN toyed with Tennessee, scoring two touchdowns on eight catches for 167 yards. His 1,313 receiving yards is a new franchise record in a season…in 11 games!
JSN is marching toward history, he will set franchise records that may never be touched. He’s dancing with history as he looks to become the first 2,000 yard receiver in NFL history. If not for Jonathan Taylor, it’s possible that the offensive player of the year award would already have Smith-Njigba engraved on it. It’s a special season for the Seahawks, and that starts with one of the best players in all of football, Mr. JSN.
Second Down: Sam continues to be curious
Last Sunday was a disaster for Sam Darnold, there’s no denying that. I do think that Sam was better on Sunday.
The game felt closer to the game plan we have seen from Seattle in nine of their eleven games this season (49ers and Rams). Darnold’s pass attempts were down (16/26) for 244 yards and two scores. His 63-yard touchdown bomb to Smith-Njigba was an absolute thing of beauty.
I thought overall Sam was good. He did a better job at checking down to his easy throws, and was better about middle pressure in the pocket while scrambling and playing to live another down. That being said, Darnold still made a couple of throws that make you close your eyes and look away. He probably should have thrown a pick-six on their first drive and his ability to make touchdown plays in the red zone leave a lot to be desired.
It’s been a great season overall for Sam, minus Los Angeles, but his play and status for the future still needs to be monitored over the final six games of the season.
Third Down: Defense continues to hold the fort
Giving up 24 points to the Titans kind of sucks, but there’s more to this story. The Seahawks were down multiple starters again, and even backup Ty Okada went down in the game. Being completely depleted at the linebacker position, Cam Ward used his mobility and check downs against the LB’s to keep multiple drives alive.
Take away the punt return for a touchdown, the Seahawks were still dominating that game, and then went into prevent mode on defense at the end.
This defense is getting healthier, as Ernest Jones, Julian Love, Tyrice Knight, and Jarran Reed should all return in the next two weeks. Having this defense fully healthy and ready to go for the Colts and Rams in a five day period is critical.
Fourth Down: Seattle played like a No. 5 seed
This take probably has more to do with the Rams than the Seahawks. Despite this special season, it’s hard not to feel like the Seahawks are a year away, while the Rams are all in right now.
I think that the Rams are the best team in the league. Despite Seattle having a chance to steal that game last week, the Rams got the job done. The Rams were able to split with the 49ers and just crushed the Buccaneers last night. They have multiple statement wins, while Seattle is still looking for theirs.
Typically the No. 5 seed is a contender that just missed a division title. These are the teams we typically see win a wildcard game on the road and then lose a close battle to the eventual NFC champions. The pain and lessons learned tend to lead to a better run the following year.
I don’t know about you, but that just feels strongly like this season. I hope I’m wrong, but essentially the Seahawks need to win out, and hope the Rams lose at least one other game besides losing at Seattle in December. That’s a lot to ask in order to win the NFC West, which in turn will likely lead to the NFC top seed.
On a day when the Seahawks, and most of the playoff teams, played with their food, the Rams sent another message to the league. Unfortunately they are in our division, and will inevitably be the beast the Seahawks need to overcome to break out of that No. 5 seed bubble they look to be trapped in.
