Seahawks gameday grades: Week 10 versus Cardinals
By Andy Larkin
I’m offering my sincerest apologies. I am extremely late getting the grades out for last Thursday’s game. I was mourning the fact that everyone on the Seahawks roster is injured. That being said, the time for grieving is over. There is a lot of football left, and all of the Seahawks goals are still in front of them. A lot of things can happen over the course of the next six games. Hang in there, Hawks fans.
Anyway, I’ve kept you waiting long enough. Let’s take a look at the grade book.
Defensive Line: (B+)
The defensive line fought hard against Arizona. They controlled the line of scrimmage all night long as the Cardinals rushing attack was held to 34 yards. Even with injuries, this unit has been stout all season. The Seahawks came into the season with great depth along the defensive line, and it has certainly been tested. So far, that depth has helped the defensive front hold up.
The pass rush could’ve been better, but you’re not going to go out and get five sacks every week.
Dion Jordan made his Seahawks debut and recorded a sack. It would be a huge plus for Seattle if Jordan could become a contributor. The former first round draft pick hasn’t played a game in nearly two years.
Linebackers: (A)
Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright combined for 21 tackles on Thursday night. People simply do not give enough credit to the headhunters in the middle of the Seattle defense. Wagner and Wright make offenses work for every yard. That’s whether it’s by pre-snap chess matches or incredible instinct between the lines, these two guys keep it locked down in the middle.
Defensive Backs: (B-)
Injuries were the story of the game in the secondary. Earl Thomas was already out going into the game, and Shaquille Griffin, Richard Sherman, and Kam Chancellor all were bit with the injury bug during the game. Griffin later returned and should be fine. Richard Sherman had no such luck, as he will miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured Achilles. Kam Chancellor’s return is uncertain as he works through what coach Carroll called a”stinger”.
Offensive Line: (C-)
Penalties hurt the offense once again. They weren’t plagued with them, quite the same way the defense was on Thursday, but it was still an issue.
Too much pressure on Wilson, and not big enough holes in the running game. The offensive line continues to hinder offensive production. But when the team is winning games, they must be good enough. I’ll take scraping by performances as long as the Seahawks are winning games.
Quarterback: (B+)
Wilson had a pretty nice evening throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Without Wilson, this game could’ve easily been a loss, but number three kept Seattle on the attack all night.
His greatest play of the night was his double spin and chuck it up to Doug on the sideline.
Running Backs: (B)
It was another rough outing for the Seattle ground game. Thomas Rawls finished with 27 yards on ten carries. Needless to say, he didn’t have a fantastic outing. But none of the Seahawks ball carriers really have thus far.
Oh yeah, C.J. Prosise got hurt again. This time it’s his other ankle. Yes, I am serious. That poor guy has the worst luck.
Receivers/Tight Ends: (B+)
It was great to see Jimmy Graham turn in a nice two touchdown performance. He had to battle for the ball in both instances and looked strong doing so. Hopefully this sparks the Jimmy red zone chemistry.
Doug Baldwin deserves just as much credit for that wild play as Russell Wilson. The guy is always expecting the ball, and when Wilson let it fly, Baldwin timed his jump flawlessly. The play could’ve just as easily resulted in an interception, but thanks to Doug it was a game tilting play that put the ball inside the Arizona five yard line.
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Special Teams: (B)
Amid all the turmoil of the previous week, Blair Walsh bounced back nicely in Arizona. I give the guy a ton of credit for taking his lumps, putting it all behind him and bouncing back when many wouldn’t. I was one of many who were pretty hard on Walsh, but it’s tough not to root for the guy. He doesn’t make excuses and he doesn’t let tough moments define him. I want to see Walsh finish the year strong and continue building his confidence.