The record doesn't show it because of significant untimely mistakes, but the Seahawks have made improvements on some concerning issues from early in the season. A lot of what was covered in my 1st quarter breakdown remains true today, so I'll make this one short with highlights from that post. Feel free to read it here: https://www.fieldgulls.com/2024/10/9/24266730/1st-quarter-review-and-lessons-learned
The Rams game has really destroyed Seahawks fans confidence because of the playoff implications of the loss, but as I wrote in the 1st quarter review,
"The Seahawks are good for two to three head-scratchers per year, as all NFL teams are, and the Giants game was the first of the season. Bad days happen and the mistakes were numerous."
The Rams game was head scratcher #2 and should have been a two score Seahawks victory. Touchdowns were called back due to penalty, JSN alone lost out on 75 additional yards. Dropped passes and uncalled defensive penalties led to critical turnovers. The unfortunate plays that happen in every game, Geno's hit arm on a throw away, unluckily resulted in the rare defensive touchdown, in this case even setting a franchise record for the opponent. The tape was much better than the result, except on the offensive line (OMG!).
This team is not as far off as the performance over the 2nd quarter of the season indicates, nor are the playoffs out of consideration. The Seahawks play 6 of the 8 teams ahead of them in the playoff picture over the 2nd half of the season. If they win, they're in the playoffs, if they don't, they don't deserve it anyway. Let's enjoy the ride.
So, what have we learned since the quarter point of the season just over one month ago?
"The precision issues are significant; free rushers at the QB, dropped passes, fumbles, poor spacing on route concepts, and numerous penalties, especially at inopportune times negating big plays. They are all fixable and should all quickly improve. If they do, this could be a top 5 offense in the NFL by seasons end."
"The shortcomings so far have just been player error, especially at guard, detrimental at guard, and a lack of precision that requires reps to overcome."
"What's been bad? Laken Tomlinson doesn't appear to be able to reliably block anybody in run or pass. Bradford has plateaued to a bottom of the barrel starting guard, his feet are too slow to match in pass pro. Haynes has not gained the strength and anchor technique needed for an NFL bull rush."
"What to expect in the future? Improvement of the deep passing attack and an even more productive Geno Smith. More balanced play calling with a focus on handing the ball to Ken Walker early. Fewer dropped passes and penalties. Continued struggles with interior pressure in pass pro and lack of drive in the power run game."
The Seahawks have fixed the fumbles and route issues, but the rest is unchanged, which is the reason they have lost their last two games.
All hope for improvement in the offensive line rests in the return of Abe Lucas and George Fant. Even if right tackle returns to average performance, the interior offensive line has no hope. The only interior lineman with a proven ceiling, Connor Williams, is not full strength 11 months post ACL replacement, nor is the former tackle and guard comfortable as the shotgun center Grubb's offense requires.
Even considering the shortcomings on the offensive line, which will limit Ken Walker's explosiveness and the offense as a whole, with the way Geno is playing, if the Seahawks can just fix the untimely penalty issues, this will be a Top 10 offense in the NFL.
A Top 10 offense would likely be enough to propel this team to a wild card spot and being the opponent no one wants to play.
"The hype of Mike Macdonald the "defensive genius" was fun, but the honeymoon period is over and the realization has set in that he is running a pre-existing scheme without the All-Pro/Pro Bowl linebackers and safeties he had in Baltimore. He's not a defensive messiah in the ilk of a Belichick, Ryan, or Labeau, at least not yet, he's 37 years old, the Seahawks defense will be a work in progress."
"I haven't seen any issues with players physical abilities, they are capable of playing the schemes and techniques they are being asked to play. The defensive schemes and timing of calls are all solid, there is good variability, disguise, and logic behind everything that I can see."
"So, what's wrong with the run game? When the Seahawks are gap sound in their run fits, they look good at holding their opponents to short gains. When they aren't gap sound, they give up big runs. I don't know Macdonald's rules to be able to call who's in error on any given play, but it appears the players might not know the rules either."
"What's been bad? Run fit discipline. Tackling. Play action pass defense."
"What to expect in the future? Improved eye discipline and run fits. Improved zone drops from the linebackers. More passes defensed and more turnovers. Struggles against power run schemes and 12 personnel. Struggles against speed and size in the slot. Vulnerable to mesh concepts and seem routes."
The defense has not looked much different over the second quarter of the season than the first; however, the Rams game did show promise regarding run fits, eye discipline, and tackling, and could be the turning point. If the gap discipline and tackling from the Rams game continues this will be at least a league average run defense, which will really open it up for the Seahawks excellent pass rush.
Earnest Jones is already a noticeable improvement over Baker, both in his patience in the run game and quickness to recognize in pass coverage. I didn't chart it, but the safeties appear to be playing closer to/more in the box and hitting the line quicker. In all, I only counted three plays against the Rams which they were gapped out, and those appeared somewhat intentional in likely passing situations.
The play action defense is still a weakness, for example, Woolen holding eyes in the backfield on a Stafford play action, is what got him out of position to give up the winning score to the Rams in OT. Though, it is improving, especially on the 2nd level.
The chemistry appears to be coming along and the defense continues to step up in critical moments, especially after big mistakes by the offense or when needing to get the ball back for a last-minute drive.
A league average defense paired with a top 10 offense would make the Seahawks a fun team to watch and scary team to play. That would be a team that all 12s can get behind and a fresh start to the Mike Macdonald era. I think that's what we'll see develop, after this bye week, over the second half of the season.