Seahawks report card: Grades from week 6 versus Pittsburgh

The Seahawks fell to 2-4 in 2021 with a loss to the Steelers. However, Seattle did play much better in the second half so while the overall outcome was negative, the fact that Seattle didn’t get blown out is a bit of a positive.

At the end of the day (and game, obviously) all that really matters in the NFL is winning and losing. But maybe Seattle found something in the second half that will help them win in future weeks. After all, Seattle losing in overtime without having Russell Wilson during the game isn’t too bad.

Seattle also found some sparks that should help them the rest of the year, one at running back and one at cornerback. Yes, Geno Smith fumbled at the end of the game but he was forced to by a great player making a great play. We need to give some credit to T.J. Watt.

Grades from Seahawks week 6 loss to the Steelers

Quarterback

Geno Smith, until the last play offensively for the Seahawks, was not the issue. He had tons of pressure in his face and made some decent throws. Seattle didn’t trust him to do much and so Smith threw short a lot. Still, the fumble in overtime in essence cost Seattle the game.

Grade: C

Running back

Let’s focus on the second half when Seattle was able to run the ball down the Steelers defense’s throat. Those first few drives in the second half were impressive and Alex Collins looked spectacular. It was very strange to not see him in the game in the final two drives, though. Seattle’s backs averaged 5.6 yards a carry and had 145 yards rushing and another 57 in receiving. That’s good.

Grade: A

Wide receivers/tight ends

Seattle’s tight ends were targets more in this game (5) but still not nearly enough. Gerald Everett showed what he could do on a 41-yard catch and run and needs the ball more. Will Dissly caught a touchdown pass. D.K. Metcalf was the Seahawks best wideout but the receivers overall couldn’t get much done in Seattle’s conservative scheme.

Grade: B-

Offensive line

Seattle was good when running and not good when passing. The team averaged 5.3 yards a rush but the line also allowed Geno Smith to get sacked 5 times. And this wasn’t on Geno. If Russell Wilson had played, he might have been sacked even more. Heck, even Duane Brown got beat on a sack.

Grade: C

Defensive line

Seattle’s D-line was the opposite of the offensive line. Pittsburgh got little for most of the game when running the ball but Ben Roethlisberger was hit just once all game. That’s terrible. Against a younger quarterback with better receivers, Seattle would have been picked apart. Kerry Hyder, Jr. had a tackle for loss. The Seahawks got credit for one sack but only because Roethlisberger fumbled while trying, well…whatever he was trying when he fumbled.

Grade: C

Linebackers

Overall, Seattle’s coverage was much better in the middle of the field and Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks each were in on 14 tackles. I still would like to see the linebackers be more involved in quarterback pressures but they did what they were supposed to against the Steelers.

Darrell Taylor needs mentioning here as he left with an injury. Before that, and hopefully he will be OK, he was the most active pass rusher Seattle had. If healthy, he is going to be a great player.

Grade: B+

Secondary

Jamal Adams cannot catch. He should have had two interceptions – one would have landed in his arms if he had looked up and the other hit him square in the face. It is odd that he is such a great athlete but honestly cannot catch at all.

Tre Brown. What can you say? Seattle has found themselves a cornerback who should be starting the rest of the season. He was good in coverage (one deep pass by the Steelers would have beat him but it was a bad throw and Brown wasn’t that far off) and he proved he can tackle on a huge stick that ended the Steelers first drive of overtime.

Grade: B (would be nearly an A+ had Adams been able to catch)

Special teams

This is a complex grade. Michael Dickson had a terrible punt (24 yards that led to a Pittsburgh touchdown drive) and a great one (65 yards) and should have had one punt pinned inside the Steelers 5 yard line. Jason Myers made all his kicks including a 43-yarder at the end of regulation to tie the game. DeeJay Dallas had a 34-yard and a 38-yard kick return and looked excellent.

But then Cody Barton completely misplayed the Dickson punt that ended in a touchback. All Barton needed to do was touch the ball. Instead, he picked the ball up and was rolled into the endzone for a touchback. It was one of the dumbest plays I have seen in a long time on a play that could have completely changed the momentum of the game.

Grade: B-