3 takeaways from heartbreaking Seattle Seahawks Week 6 loss

Carlos Dunlap has been disappointing

Last year, Carlos Dunlap was the X-Factor for the turnaround in the Seattle defense. His presence upfront allowed the others to get more pressure. In the 8 games played with Seattle, Dunlap recorded 5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits. One of those sacks came on a 4th down in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football that sealed the victory for the Seahawks.

His big-play ability was on display last year and it has not yet appeared this year. More than ever, the Seattle Seahawks need their defense to create turnovers. Dunlap was resigned in the offseason to a two-year deal for this purpose. Through the first 6 weeks of the season, the Seahawks rank in the bottom half of the league in sacks (with only 11). Carlos Dunlaps’ inefficiency has plagued this Seattle defense as he has yet to record a single sack.

Dunlap’s quiet year has seemed to be minimized as some of the other young guys on this defensive line have stepped up. Most notably Rasheem Green and Darrell Taylor. Speaking of Taylor, I am glad to hear he is doing well after a scary moment being carted off in a stretcher. Now, part of their success is due in part to being beneficiaries of rushing opposite Carlos Dunlap. But, nonetheless, the Seahawks need Dunlap to leave his mark on the game.

Next week the Seahawks will face off against the Saints on Monday Night Football. They will be facing a quarterback in Jameis Winston who is prone to make bad decisions with the football when faced with pressure upfront. Dunlap is once again presented with a golden opportunity to erase all of his mistakes thus far in the year. In what many will consider to be a must-win game, the bright lights will once again be shining on Dunlap.

I am hopeful that Dunlap will prove — as he did last year — that the moment is not too big for him.