Grading the Seahawks Pre-Season Week 2 Against The Broncos

Aug 17, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) speak following a 40-10 preseason victory by the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

This was supposed to be a possible Super Bowl preview in the Pre-Season. The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos could possibly be the best teams from each division and this was going to be a big game, even for the Pre-Season. Although, this game did not live up to the hype, the Seahawks dominated almost from the opening kick-off winning 40-10.

Offense: B

The Seahawks put up 40 points in this game, but the Offense was not really the strong point. Russell Wilson was in great control as usual and he threw for 127 yds on 8 of 12 passing with 2 Touchdowns. Wilson was able to move around in the pocket creating throwing lanes and stretching the field. Tarvaris Jackson again had a solid game going 4 for 7 for 93 yards and a Touchdown. Again like last week Jackson threw the ball down the field with pin point accuracy. Brady Quinn played the 4th Quarter and didn’t look horrible although playing with the 3rd and 4th string offensive line he was constantly under duress and was 3 for 4 for 13 yards. The Seahawks mainly ran the ball late in the game. At this point it has been very obvious the pecking order of the Seahawks Quarterbacks, 1st String Wilson, 2nd String Jackson, and 3rd String Quinn (if we keep a 3rd).

Again Marshawn Lynch didn’t play a whole lot; he had 2 carries for 1 yard and sat out pretty much the whole game. Although after that the Seahawks have a ton of talent and it will be tough to cut any of the Running backs and fullbacks on this team. Christine Michael didn’t play this week after having a sore back this week. But everyone else that played looked solid. This team seems to have a backfield full of Marshawn Lynch’s. Everyone has size and seems to be looking to hit someone. Robert Turbin was back this week and showed his speed rushing for 35 yards on 9 carries. The rookie Spencer Ware who is competing for a Fullback spot looked very solid rushing for 54 yards on 9 carries. Derrick Coleman dropped a would be 1st down pass, although his big body is like a freight training running towards you.

With Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice out, the Seahawks started with Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse. Between them they had 70 yards on 4 catches, Kearse had the first Touchdown from Wilson of the Pre-Season and Tate brought in a beautiful throw from Wilson for 33 yards with Champ Bailey right in his face. Again Stephen Williams and Tarvaris Jackson showed how well they worked together when they hooked up for a long diving catch resulting in a Touchdown in the 3rd Quarter, Williams had 2 catches for 45 yards. Brett Swain may be a long shot to make this team but he seems to have a knack for making big catches and getting open, he reeled in a 29 yards strike on the sideline as well.

The Offensive line seems to be the most unsettled group on the offensive side of the ball. Between injuries and trying different players out in different positions, the line seemed to be on a roller coaster ride for most of the game. Breno Giacomini again got called for a 15 yard penalty and it already seems like he has not changed a bit from last year’s trends.

Defense: A-

Brandon Browner said it best when he said that the Seahawks Defense “bends but doesn’t break.” The Peyton Manning lead offense seemed to move the ball up and down the field almost effortlessly although they seemed to not be able to hold on to the ball. This was because every Seahawk defender punched and batted at the ball every chance they got.

The first team Defensive line was able to stuff the middle for the most part but Manning with his quick release never seemed to be under that much pressure. Benson Mayowa seemed to move up in the depth chart and he again had a sack in the 1st half of the game. O’Brien Schofield seems to be one of the steals of the off-season as he brought down the Quarterback and he seems to be in and around the ball constantly.

This week the Linebacking corps seemed to resemble a bit more like what we will see when the Seahawks open up the Regular season. Bobby Wagner was back and he made his presence known as he had 7 tackles with 1 tackle for a loss. Allen Bradford seems to be all over the field and had 3 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. John Lotulelei also seems to regularly find himself around the ball recording 3 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.

The Legion of Boom was in full force Saturday night. Brandon Browner forced 1 fumble and recovered another which he returned 106 yards for a touchdown. Kam Chancellor was all over the field recording 11 tackles and recovering 1 fumble. Although the one low point for the game was the Seahawks secondary inability to adjust to the Bunch formation that Manning and Broncos ran at the Seahawks. The depth in this secondary is second to none in the NFL. Walter Thurmond and Antoine Winfield are in heated competition for the Nickel Corner spot.

Special Teams: B+

This was a odd game as far as the Special Teams is concerned. There was a lot of highs and a lot of lows, Jermaine Kearse had the biggest highlight returning a kick-off 107 yards which tilted this game in the Seahawks favor. Golden Tate returned a punt 33 yards, showing once again how shifty he can be. The Broncos Trindon Holliday had a late punt return for 73 yards which he would have taken in for a Touchdown had he not been dragged down inside the 10 yard line.

Jon Ryan didn’t have to punt a ball away until the 3rd Quarter and he ended up kicking 3 punts averaging 49.7 yards a kick. Steven Hauschka hit 2 field goals but then missed an extra point. Carson Wiggs replaced Hauschka in the 2nd half and hit his one extra point but missed his field goal try wide right.

Wrap Up Overall: A-

All in all this was a blowout win for the Seahawks, over 67,000 fans showed up to see the Seahawks first win in Century Link field in 2013, even if it doesn’t count it sure was fun to watch. The Seahawks have shown over the last two weeks just how much depth they have. The Seahawks front office continues to find great players every off-season. This team is starting to come together and this Pre-Season game gave the players an opportunity to hit someone new, try some new techniques, work out some kinks and most of all the Seahawks were able to escape this game without an significant injuries.

#GoHawks