Seahawks defensive grades from massive win over Panthers
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. Here is how the defense graded in Seattle’s win.
If the season were to end today, the Seahawks would be primed for a playoff spot. (Washington is currently ahead of Seattle but is decimated with injuries.) And Seattle is in excellent position to finish strong at the end of the season. Four of their last five games are at CenturyLink.
Seattle’s important win over the Panthers in Carolina on Sunday means that the Seahawks have the head-to-head advantage over Carolina for a Wild Card playoff spot. Seattle also holds the advantage over Dallas and Green Bay.
Sunday’s win over the Panthers was a mixed bag as far as grades, though, for the defense. A win is a win but some Seahawks were more equal than others against Carolina. How much so?
Defensive line
The Panthers game was no pressure Sunday for Seattle. Seattle had zero quarterback hits from the line and, of course, no sacks. Cam Newton could just sit back, relax, talk to friends and get rid of the ball. Frank Clark who?
And Christian McCaffrey had a Sunday outing at the park. I may be exaggerating, but I think the running back had 1,295 total yards against the Seahawks.
Grade: D
Linebackers
Bobby Wagner is still one of the best linebackers in football. Though on Sunday, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was better. Wagner led Seattle in tackles with 11 and had a tackle for loss.
Austin Calitro had a rough game overall. And K.J. Wright doesn’t seem like he is going to be healthy this year. But it is almost time for the return of Mychal Kendricks. Thank goodness.
Grade: C-
Secondary
I could spend a lot of time just on the secondary but I don’t want to bore you. Each player could have his own grade. Bradley McDougald and Tre Flowers were solid. Tedric Thompson and Shaquill Griffin were not.
Next. Grades for Seahawks offense in Panthers game. dark
But the secondary may have had its worst game of the season as Newton was 25 of 30 passing. Not good. And worse is that rookie Flowers, who is still learning to play cornerback, appears better than second-year yet life-long corner Griffin. Griffin should be far better. If Flowers doesn’t make two key tackles late in the game, Carolina might have won.
Grade: C- (only because of McDougald’s sick interception in the endzone)