National Post

Belichick knows where seahawks QB ranks in NFL

THERE IS NO BETTER DEEP BALL PASSER IN THE LEAGUE THAN WILSON, PATRIOTS HEAD COACH SAYS

- John Kryk

Maybe it took bill belichick’s praise last week to make more people realize just how exceptiona­l russell Wilson is at quarterbac­king in the NFL.

The six-time Super bowl champion head coach heaped so much praise on the Seattle Seahawks’ onfield leader since 2012 as to drop jaws around the league. Over his whole career, belichick has gushed like that about only a few elite players.

but on and on the New england Patriots head coach raved about Wilson:

“This guy’s a tremendous player (who’s) maybe underrated by the media or the fans … I don’t really see anybody better than this player. He can do everything.

“He’s got obviously great leadership, playmaking skills. He plays very well in the most critical situations in the game.

“His passing numbers are extraordin­ary. you could put him up against anybody since he’s been in the league, literally anybody, in any category.

“His winning percentage is impressive. He’s there for every game, never missed a game.

“I don’t think there’s a better deep ball passer in the league in terms of decision making and accuracy. He attacks literally every inch of the field … and then you have to try to tackle him, which that’s very difficult too.”

Wilson proved all those things Sunday night, in one of the most thrilling games of the young NFL season. He threw five touchdown passes in Seattle’s 35-30 shootout win over the visiting Patriots, and shot far ahead in the race for the 2020 NFL MVP award.

The 31-year-old completed 21 of 28 pass attempts for 288 yards, constantly burning one of the NFL’S top secondarie­s, especially with his patented high-arcing, pinpoint deep lobs, three of which went for scores.

After two games, Wilson not only leads the league with nine touchdown passes and the highest percentage of touchdowns on all throws (14.3 per cent), but ranks first with an insane 82.5 per cent completion rate, and first with a whopping 11.8 yards per pass attempt.

“you can just see that he is really in command of what we’re doing,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said.

Wilson did throw a picksix on Seattle’s opening possession, but the ball was deflected; it wasn’t a reckless or inaccurate throw. Teammates afterward said Wilson wasn’t rattled in the least by it.

As usual.

“I go straight to neutral … not being too high, not being too low,” Wilson said. “Neutrality is going to allow me to be successful more times than not. I’m such a big believer in it. (It) allows me to just focus on the next play, the next moment.”

belichick, though miserable and curt as always following a defeat, ungrudging­ly tipped his hat again to Wilson.

“He hurt us tonight in pretty much every way possible,” belichick said. “He’s very, very hard to defend … I’m glad we only have to play him once every four years.”

buffalo has the NFL’S No. 1 passing offence. buffalo! … Cam Newton threw for 312 yards in the second half at Seattle, his career high for a single half … Seattle has allowed a league-worst 970 yards so far … Philadelph­ia’s six giveaways lead the league … Since last season, the Chiefs are 6-0 when Patrick mahomes starts and they trail at any point by double digits, per Gil brandt.

Carolina rb Christian mccaffrey has a high ankle sprain. Although Panthers head coach matt rhule said he didn’t know how long his star offensive performer would be out, reports said it could be for as long as 4-6 weeks … The shoulder injury broncos Qb drew Lock suffered Sunday in Pittsburgh doesn’t appear too serious. denver TV reporter mike Klis said Lock has a rotator/labral issue in his back shoulder area, and could miss as little as two weeks … Tampa bay Wr Chris Godwin has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play this week … The bucs sure can use him because receivers dropped seven of Tom brady’s passes Sunday. Of them, bucs head coach bruce Arians said monday: “you’re supposed to catch the damn ball.”

 ??  ?? New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was effusive in
his praise of Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was effusive in his praise of Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.

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