What the heck happened?: Seahawks vs Chargers

The Seattle Seahawks started their first preseason game of 2017 by scoring 34 points in the first half. Before that things were interesting too.

Michael Bennett started the Seahawks preseason by being the only member of the Seahawks to take a seat on the bench while the National Anthem was played. This followed what the Oakland Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch did in the Raiders’ game. That Bennett did this was not a real surprise. He has always been a thoughtful and political player. His action will also have no bearing on whether the Seahawks win or lose any games.

After the kickoff, Philip Rivers and the Chargers drove right down the field and scored a touchdown. When Russell Wilson and the Seahawks got their turn, Wilson led the team to a field goal.

Then things changed. Moreover, Trevone Boykin began playing. And he looked fantastic. In the first half, Boykin was 7-9 for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 31 yards and another touchdown. Boykin was accurate and athletic. He looked a lot like, I dare say, Wilson.

Boykin started the second half just as sharp and led Seattle to another touchdown drive. Several of Boykin’s throws went to Kasen Williams. Williams looked great making receptions when challenged and showing great athleticism.

Boykin did make a poor decision – greedy might be the right word – when he threw deep in the middle of the field in the third quarter. Boykin has a bit of a gunslinger’s mentality. That could sometimes get him into trouble.

The Seahawks did have some issues, though. Right guard Mark Glowinski missed a block at the goal line which led to a the Seahawks having to make a decision to go for it on fourth down. Rookies Tedric Thompson and Delano Hill got turned around in coverage which led to two long completions for the Chargers, one for a touchdown.

Quick takes

Nazair Jones was active and making tackles on the line and downfield in the first half. He definitely looked like a player that will productive for Seattle for several seasons.

If the Seahawks were to cut down to four running backs after the first preseason game (which they won’t), Chris Carson would be the fourth guy. Carson played just like he has in practice. This is to say strong and confidently. He appears to relish contact. And, of course, the Seahawks relish this in a running back.

Alex Collins, on the other hand, did not look nearly as potentially productive. He awkwardly dropped a pass on fourth and one that should have been a first down. He also did not look like he had the ability to make cuts as well as Carson. Collins did have a late touchdown, but took three runs inside the five to get there.

Blair Walsh was another player who did really well. Every kick was perfect with no drama that he would miss. Most of his kickoffs went either deep into – or through – the endzone.

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As a unit the Seahawks offensive line was solid, but truly evaluating them is difficult. The Chargers were terrible defensively after the starters left the game. But Seattle scored 42 offensive points and gained 457 yards. That says something.

The same could be said for the entire defense. Seattle’s starters left early and Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens was terrible. We know the Seahawks defense will be good. And we know Clemens will be bad, if he ever plays.

Paul Richardson appeared to get injured. We should know more on that later.

Jon Ryan punted once.