NFL Preseason recap: Winners and Losers from Seahawks 16, Chargers 3

It was a victorious begin to Mike Macdonald’s first season as Seattle Seahawks head coach. Whereas it’s solely an exhibition sport, Seattle’s 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers was cleaner than anticipated given a brand new teaching workers, new gamers, and the truth that it’s the preseason. Crucial factor out of this sport was no recognized accidents, which is what you need to see greater than the rest.

Right here’s our first Winners and Losers for the 2024 season!

Winners

Your entire protection

The primary-team protection wasted no time exhibiting its superiority towards the Chargers backups, holding them to seven yards on six performs and two punts. Then the backups (plus Boye Mafe) took over and the Chargers nonetheless couldn’t do something till late within the second quarter. Add within the reserves and the Chargers didn’t even rating after halftime.

There was just one busted protection I noticed on a blitz that resulted in a large open Simi Fehoko, who received behind security Ty Okada. Aside from that, the run protection was strong—Tyrel Dodson did an incredible job shutting off the cutback lane for Jarret Patterson—and the go protection was aggressive and intensely efficient. It was fascinating to see Boye Mafe play your entire first half, however he was a menace. Derick Corridor had brilliant moments late within the first and all through the second half. Jamie Sheriff made essentially the most of his restricted enjoying time with a few pressures and involvement on Seattle’s last sack (which went to DeVere Levelston).

Tyrice Knight had a few moments he’d wish to have again (together with LAC’s longest run of the afternoon) however he had two key tackles that helped kill drives. Jon Rhattigan was downhill and the very best I believe he’s ever regarded even in preseason.

Riq Woolen had a near-pick and a PBU on one other throw. D.J. James should be monitoring the all higher however he might’ve had two interceptions. Coby Bryant had an interception after a terrific hit by Ok’Von Wallace on Hayden Hurst. Ty Okada was delivering huge hits and Marquise Blair and Dee Williams prevented touchdowns within the dying embers of the fourth quarter.

Above all else? Terrific tackling. You didn’t see whiffs, wildly sloppy play, and there was nice pursuit to the ball and the ball-carrier.

Byron Murphy II

Seattle’s first-round decide wasted no time making an affect, recording a deal with for loss with a ferocious run cease. He additionally nearly had a sack on Easton Stick, however his teammates Derick Corridor and Jon Rhattigan have been there for mop-up obligation. There was additionally a double group that he fought by way of to flush Stick out of the pocket and throw a batted incomplete go. That was an thrilling debut, and I can’t wait to see extra.

Brady Russell

With Noah Fant not enjoying and Pharaoh Brown serving as extra of a blocking tight finish, we received a detailed have a look at what Russell can provide as a doable TE3/H-Again. He completed with 3 catches for 25 yards and a landing, persevering with his robust coaching camp/preseason. Add in how closely he featured on particular groups courting again to final season and I believe he’s near a roster lock.

Sam Howell

I believe there’s a transparent hole between him and Geno Smith, and a transparent hole between him and PJ Walker. The 16/27 for 130 yards and 1 TD statline isn’t flashy; I’m extra centered on what he didn’t do. There have been solely a few dangerous passes (one to Jake Bobo and one other that was a well-read display screen go to Laviska Shenault Jr), he took the straightforward throws, and when he was in hassle he didn’t pour gasoline on the fireplace and try to do an excessive amount of. He appeared comfy within the offense and his mobility is an enormous improve from Drew Lock, who wasn’t practically as cell as marketed.

I’m not watching Howell pondering he’s a future All-Professional QB, I’m watching to have some confidence that he’d a minimum of be a serviceable backup in case one thing occurs to Geno Smith. That was a very good begin and an enchancment from the coaching camp stories.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Not for the rationale you would possibly assume. Caught two passes for 13 yards? Massive whoop. This run-blocking effort on Kenny McIntosh’s 14-yard carry is what caught my eye. That’s excellent work by JSN that’s going to be useful as Seattle appears to be like to revamp its operating sport.

Dareke Younger

Younger was Seattle’s main receiver with 3 catches for 43 yards. My favourite Howell play was his play-action dart to Younger to beat the blitz and discover Dareke matched with a linebacker. It’s a brilliant aggressive battle to make the roster given the depth at receiver, however Younger has a shot if solely as a result of he offers worth on particular groups as a gunner.

Dee Williams

Williams had an open-field deal with on a punt return and downed the Chargers contained in the 5. He didn’t present a lot as a punt returner, however honestly no person did. I used to be impressed by his restricted work on protection, and marvel if there’s a spot for him on the roster as a particular groups maestro.

George Holani and Kenny McIntosh

That is going to be a enjoyable third-down competitors. I’d give Holani the sting as a result of he made an incredible particular groups deal with and appears higher in go professional. McIntosh confirmed some good contact steadiness when he was met by tacklers within the backfield, however he needs to be dinged for his position on the primary sack taken by Sam Howell. Holani’s spotlight was an 11-yard landing run, whereas McIntosh had 8 carries for 40 yards.

Laviska Shenault Jr

I believe Shenault has already sealed Dee Eskridge’s destiny. He had an enormous kick return below the modified guidelines, and turned a receiver display screen into an 18-yard acquire. Shenault Jr is a extra polished receiver who can break tackles and primarily be a greater model of what Dee has tried to be.

Losers

Backup tackles

Stone Forsythe and McClendon Curtis had a few brutal reps, with Forsythe giving up one sack and nearly giving up one other that was dominated incomplete. I is likely to be within the minority on this however I don’t assume Forsythe’s job as a reserve left deal with is protected. Curtis has solely lately gained traction as a backup proper deal with, however it’s protected to say he’d be hypothetical third-string for a cause.

Olu Oluwatimi

That failed 4th and aim on the 1-yard line falls on the middle getting destroyed off the snap, leaving Holani with no likelihood to attain. I believe that play in itself encapsulates why Seattle signed Connor Williams.

AJ Barner

That is much less about his efficiency and extra about the place he stands within the pecking order. Brady Russell decisively had extra enjoying time than Barner, which appears in keeping with the “unofficial” depth chart that lists Russell forward of Barner. I don’t know if the Seahawks will hold 4 tight ends on the roster however there’s been little by way of coaching camp and this preseason sport to point the fourth-round decide will likely be an element this 12 months.

The display screen passes to operating backs

One in all as of late it’ll work effectively. One in all as of late.

Last Notes

PJ Walker is an journey in a very good, “preseason solely” means. His arm lends itself to aggressive throwing and decision-making, and it meant a 4/10 exhibiting for 61 yards. He had an overthrow, a close to pick-6 throwing to Dee Eskridge, however sufficient highlights to not dread him closing preseason video games out.
By the way, I reward Ryan Grubb for not doing “give-up” performs on third and lengthy even with the reserves. We noticed Easop Winston and Cody White each convert third and 10+ from Walker. I gained’t make any large proclamations about this offense till we see Geno Smith and extra first-team gamers on the market, which we would subsequent week.
The Seahawks solely had 6 accepted penalties, of which I’d say greater than half have been after halftime with the third-string in. That was an oddly free-flowing sport by preseason requirements, and it helped that the Seahawks strung collectively a number of lengthy drives that bled clock. Seattle was 11/20 on third down in comparison with 2/13 for the Chargers. We are able to solely hope the first-team does this repeatedly when the video games matter.
Sautoa Laumea was lined up at left guard when he entered the sport, which is one thing to regulate transferring ahead because the sixth-round rookie appears to be like to seal his spot on the roster. Michael Jerrell was at proper deal with as regular.
One in all my favourite defensive performs: Boye Mafe dropped into protection on one aspect, Artie Burns had a slot blitz on the alternative aspect, and Easton Stick was flustered right into a throw that D.J. James popped into the air, just for Coby Bryant to not fairly get the interception
We received on Ken Norton Jr for the “drop the large guys into protection” years in the past. Macdonald loves to do this as effectively, together with Mike Morris getting a PBU. Dropping edge rushers and linemen into protection is normal within the NFL, it’s whether or not or not you do it neatly and successfully that’s a special matter.
Over/below 5 fights throughout subsequent week’s joint practices with the Tennessee Titans? I believe I’m taking the over. Tennessee performed starters towards the San Francisco 49ers, so we would see first-team vs. first-team all through follow and into the precise sport, which ought to be fascinating.