BUILDING STEAM AFTER SLOW START
Seattle hits quarter-pole at 2-2 with concerns about offensive output
RENTON, Wash. — It was a first quarter of the season that unfolded pretty much like each of the games in it — a slow start followed by an encouraging finish.
“Really good comeback,” Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said this week when asked to assess the first quarter.
The Seahawks, who have outscored foes just 29-26 in the first half this season, started 0-2, each road game played without holdout strong safety Kam Chancellor. But once Chancellor came back, the Seahawks — who have outscored opponents 58-45 after halftime — won two straight, each at home.
That sets up a potentially rugged second quarter of the season in which the Seahawks play three of four on the road, beginning Sunday at 4-0 Cincinnati.
Before they do, here’s a look back, handing out grades to each of the three phases of the team:
Offence
MVP: QB Russell Wilson. Even while at times making a few uncharacteristic mistakes, Wilson has been the most consistent aspect of a wildly uneven offence, completing a career-high 71.7 per cent of his passes and with a rating of 100.5 (his career rating is 98.6). His two fumbles lost and 18 sacks, though, are obviously too many. Unsung hero: WR Doug Baldwin. Baldwin leads the team with 20 receptions in just 24 targets without a drop and has scored two touchdowns.
Key question: Is Jimmy Graham involved enough in the offence? As offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said this week, “we want Jimmy to catch balls. I know you’ll probably ask me that every week.” Indeed, it will be heavily monitored all season, or at least until the offence hits full stride. Graham is on pace for 72 catches and 696 yards. He had at least 85 receptions and 889 yards each of his last four years in New Orleans. Grade: C. Seattle has just five offensive touchdowns, tied with the 49ers for fewest in the NFL (three others have been scored on defence
and special teams).
Defence
MVPs: DEs Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. One could argue the difference in the team without Chancellor (61 points allowed) and with him (10, seven on a fumble return) would make a case for MVP. We’ll instead give co-honours to Avril and Bennett. Pro Football Focus rates Avril as the best pass-rushing 4-3 defensive end — he’s batted down four passes, tied for the most of any non-defensive back — and Bennett the best against the run.
Unsung hero: DB DeShawn Shead. Shead has played almost 60 per cent of snaps, having played strong safety, cornerback and nickelback, with 12 tackles.
Big question: When will the turnovers come? Chancellor’s return largely stabilized the defence. What has yet to return to normal is the rate of turnovers forced — Seattle has just four, all fumbles, and is tied for 19th. Grade: B-plus. With Chancellor, it’s more like an A-minus.
Special Teams
MVP: Tyler Lockett. The thirdround pick has been everything the team hoped he’d be, returning both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown by his third game — only the second player in NFL history to achieve that feat in that length of time.
Unsung hero: PK Steven Hauschka has hit all 10 of his field goals and has already tied a career high with three of 50 yards or more.
Big question: Can Lockett keep it up? Expect opponents to continue to look for ways to kick around him. Grade: B-plus. The kicking and return units have been solid. The coverage has been mostly good, though allowing a 75-yard return at St. Louis contributed heavily to the loss there.