Final Seahawks offense grades for the 2018 season

The Seahawks exceeded expectations in 2018. No matter how the season ended, this was a good year. The offensive grades reflect that.

Remember before the season how many national pundits thought the Seahawks organization was in demise? Seattle might win between four and six games in 2018 was a common prediction. And while coach Pete Carroll did bring in new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and new defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., the moves mostly worked.

Seattle also had a lot of new players at positions that were once held by Pro Bowl players. Shaquill Griffin wasn’t a new starter at cornerback but he was moving to Richard Sherman‘s old place at left corner. On the opposite side, rookie Tre Flowers had to start nearly every game.

The Seahawks had several moves like this and even more unknowns. Earl Thomas was holding out and no one was really sure when he would return. The offensive line seemed like it was going to be better (because it couldn’t be worse), but as it turned out it was better than anyone could have hoped. Plus, Seattle wasn’t really sure who could rush the opposing quarterback.

Seattle wasn’t perfect, of course. They opened the season with two disappointing losses and lost late in the season to a bad San Francisco 49ers team. In fact, Seattle may have peaked too early in the season as three of their last four games were underwhelming. But again, Seattle won far more games than nearly anyone anticipated.

So how did the Seahawks offense grade for the entire season? Here are some thoughts.

Offense

Quarterback – Russell Wilson

Wilson played his position differently in 2018 than in any previous season. And in a lot of ways he was better. Maybe Schottenheimer made him a better quarterback or possibly the new offensive system simply helped Wilson. No matter the reason, Wilson had a career high in touchdown passes (35) and quarterback rating (110.9). He also tied his 2014 season with fewest interceptions (7). And this was all with the fewest passes he had thrown since 2013 and running for the fewest times in his career.

Schottenheimer was brought in to lessen Wilson’s burden and it worked. Seattle did win 10 games after all. (Now, if only Schottenheimer had adjusted some in the Wild Card loss against the Cowboys things might have been different.)

Grade: A-

Running backs

The Seahawks got everything they hoped for from Chris Carson this year. Carson showed promise before getting injured in 2017. With a better offensive line this year, Carson finished fifth in the NFL in rushing with 1,151 yards. He also scored nine touchdowns running.

But the future gets better too. Rookie Rashaad Penny appeared to be getting better as the season wore on and he and Carson should form a great duo for at least the next two years. Now Penny just needs to show he can stay healthy for a long time.

Mike Davis is probably going to get paid this offseason by some other team and won’t return to Seattle, but he was fantastic when he needed to be even if he didn’t get used enough with Carson ahead of him.

C.J. Prosise shouldn’t be on the roster in 2019 as he is constantly hurt. And J.D. McKissic was injured fo a big part of the year and wasn’t able to provide much production.

Grade: A

Receivers/Tight ends

12s wanted a big year from Tyler Lockett and we got it. Lockett was extended by the Seahawks prior to the season and the receiver showed the entire season why he was worth it. Big catch after big catch later, Lockett had a career year with 965 yards receiving and 10 touchdown receptions. He and Wilson combined on a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3. And Lockett proved against the Cowboys that had he been involved in the game plan more, Seattle might still be playing.

Doug Baldwin was off-and-on injured this year but it was still clear that Wilson is a better quarterback when Baldwin is on the field. The receiver had his fewest receptions since 2013 and fewest touchdown catches since 2014. One of the biggest questions about Seattle’s offseason is if Baldwin returns in 2019 as he could choose to retire or possibly the Seahawks cut him for financial reasons.

Beyond Lockett and Baldwin, though, the wide receiver production was spotty and inconsistent.

The tight end group also provided spotty production, though part of this may be that Will Dissly was injured in week four after an excellent start to the year. Dissly should return healthy next year and could be a big factor in Seattle’s offense for the next few seasons.

Ed Dickson didn’t get to play until week eight but was decent when he did. Nick Vannett is playing for his next contract in 2019 and unless he improves, that next contract won’t be with the Seahawks.

Grade: B

Offensive line

When the line was entirely healthy with Duane Brown, J.R. Sweezy, Justin Britt, D.J. Fluker and Germain Ifedi, they were very good. In fact, the line was good enough to lead Seattle to number one in the league in rushing yards per game. Wilson was sacked 51 times, but 18 of those came in three games alone. And Fluker did not play in any of those three games.

If Seattle resigns Fluker (and possibly Sweezy) this unit could be even better in 2019.

Grade: B

Coaching

I admit I was really unhappy with how Schottenheimer did not adjust his game plan in the playoff game. He did do so against the Panthers in week 12 and went more pass than run and it worked. I don’t think Schottenheimer is the best offensive coordinator in football, but he isn’t the worst. His run-heavy scheme was a big reason Seattle won as many games as it did.

Grade: B-