Takeaways: Seahawks Dominate Saints on Monday Night Football

By Jackson Safon

Your Seattle Seahawks just dismantled the number two team in the NFC. Absolutely dismantled them. The ‘Hawks were dominant in every phase of the game and the score reflected that, with Seattle winning 34-7. The Seahawks now jump even farther ahead in the race for the number one seed in the NFC and can clinch the NFC West with a win over the 49ers next week. Furthermore, the Seahawks are now the first team to clinch a playoff spot. I expected the ‘Hawks to win this game, but I never would have guessed it would've been in beat-down fashion like this one was.

1. Russell Wilson is perfect (or as close to it as an athlete can come)

The magician can do no wrong. Wilson closed this game with 47 rushing yards to go along with 22/30 for 310 yards and three touchdowns. He was flawless. Delivering every pass where it had to be from the dime down the left sideline to Baldwin to the laser, back shoulder throw to Kearse. Russell Wilson can do no wrong and it is all coming together at the right time. He finished with his second highest passing yardage total of the season, but it wasn’t just the total he amassed, but the way he did it. Wilson played with poise, tenacity, and the occasional flair as he added to his total of “Houdini’s” tonight. I’m not even sure if the city of Seattle deserves Russell Wilson, but we sure are glad to have him.

2. Best defensive effort of the season

The Seahawks held the third highest scoring offense in the NFL to seven points. Seven. And they held one of the top four quarterbacks in the NFL and the holder of the NFL record for most passing yards in a season to 147 yards. They also had constant pressure on Drew Brees and one of such occasions led to a sack-fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The two newbie’s combined on the play as Cliff Avril had the sack and Michael Bennett returned the fumble back for the touchdown. The defense held a team that averaged 415 yards a game to a mere 188. Byron Maxwell played outstanding. He has been a difference maker since taking over the number two cornerback role from Brandon Browner. He put in a great performance but he was not the only one. Earl Thomas played well, K.J. Wright played well, Clinton McDonald played well. Everyone played well. This was the best work the defense has done so far this season and I only expect it to improve.

Cliff Avril is one of the best defensive lineman in the league at strip sacks.

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

3. Where was the run blocking

With the offensive line fully healthy for the second week in a row, the pass blocking was fantastic, but the run blocking was quite the opposite. The Saints defense is right in the middle of the pack in terms of run defense, and the Seahawks couldn’t get anything going in that department. The team rushed for 127 yards but only managed 3.3 yards per carry. Marshawn Lynch ran the ball for 16 times and only amassed 45 yards. Not a good day for the running game, but they were picked up by Wilson and the passing game.

4. The Seahawks are undoubtedly the best team in the league

Not only do the Seahawks have the best record, they have the highest rating in several advanced team statistics as well. These two things are enough for most people to rank them number one in the league, but the statement they made tonight is they pass the eye test as well. The Broncos and their offense is nice, but the Seahawks offense can match them point for point, and their stifling defense shut down one of the most prolific offenses in the league. No one is stopping this team. No one in the NFC is coming close to stopping this team at Century Link, which is where the path to the Super Bowl now goes. The Seahawks are Super Bowl bound and they absolutely have enough to win the whole thing.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Clobber the Jaguars

By Jackson Safon

The 20.5 points that the Seahawks were favored by was one of the biggest point spreads in NFL history, and the Hawks covered with ease. The final score was 45-17 and this game was in hand from the get-go. The Hawks dominance showed early as they went into the locker room at halftime with a 34-0 lead. The performance was dominant in all phases of the game, which allowed Tarvaris Jackson, Christine Michael, and the rest of the reserves to get in the game and show what they could do. Not surprisingly, they played outstanding and Jackson showed that he is better than any of the Jaguars quarterbacks. However, even in a dominant win, there are always things both positive and negative to take away.

1. In Russ We Trust
It took two games, but the passing attack is back. Russell Wilson was in sync early and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell opened up the offense much more in this game. Wilson was spreading it around to all of his receivers, and the passing game was as dynamic as it has ever been, leading to four touchdowns from Wilson (and one more from Tarvaris Jackson later in the game). Furthermore, Wilson averaged 9.6 yards per attempt, which is a very good number. For a team that doesn’t look to throw the ball 50 times a game, efficiency in the passing game is very important, and the yards per attempt stat is an excellent measure of the way Russell Wilson is playing. Besides an interception that was dropped by a receiver, Wilson looked fantastic.

Sidney Rice caught two of Russell Wilson's four touchdown passes on the day.

AP Photo -Stephen Brashear

2. The Defense is Freakishly Good

I wrote about the defense last week, but it cannot be said enough times: the Seahawks have the best defense in the NFL and it isn’t close. Their defense could shape up to being one of the best of all time. And this is just the first week with Chris Clemons and Brandon Browner. With pass rushing specialist Bruce Irvin coming back in week five, quarterbacks better be on the lookout. I understand that the Hawks played the Jaguars this week, so defensive dominance was to be expected, but that doesn’t make this defense any less unstoppable. Seven different players had a tackle for loss, and Michael Bennett and Clint McDonald combined for three sacks. The Hawks defense is elite in every phase and shouldn’t be beat by anyone.

 

Clinton McDonald recorded 1.5 sacks on the day for the Seahawks defense.

Steven Bisig - USA Today Sports

 

3. The Seahawks Have Incredible Depth

The Seahawks are arguably the deepest team on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Tarvaris Jackson came in to replace Russell Wilson and promptly went 7/8 for 129 yards and a score. Christine Michael is electric in the backfield and will be the successor to Marshawn Lynch in a few years. Every member of the defense played well. There are more than a few teams that Tarvaris Jackson could start for right now. The depth on both sides of the ball could prove crucial later in the season as injuries for all teams begin to pile up.

 

Marshawn Lynch didn't have a huge day on the ground for the Seahawks, but the team didn't need an amazing game from him as they faced the lowly Jaguars.

Seahawks.com

 

4. Third Down Efficiency Needs to Improve

The Hawks were a mere 4/10 on third downs, which against an elite defense would be acceptable, but the Jaguars are average at best. For the season, the Hawks need to be around 50% and above on third downs, so 40% against a relatively weak defense is something to think about. No need for concern or panic, but this is just something to keep an eye on moving forward as the matchups for the Hawks become tougher with the Texans and Colts coming up.

 

5. The Seahawks are the Best Team in the NFC

And it isn’t close. Not only have the Seahawks dominated so far this season, but most other potential contenders have faltered. The Falcons, Packers, and 49ers all lost Sunday. The Bears and Saints are both undefeated, but it’s hard to say they could even come close to the Hawks after the dominance showed through three weeks. The Hawks still need to play with the proverbial chip on their shoulder, however, as the most wins the Hawks have ever had in a season where they started 3-0 was 10. If the Hawks can continue to play at the level they are capable of, anything short of a Super Bowl berth would be a disappointment.

 

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