Notes from the Nest: Seahawks run over by Las Vegas in Week 12

The Seahawks defense is regressing

There’s no other way around it, the biggest reason for Seattle’s slide in the past two games is their defense. The defense has not been good, in fact, we’re hurtling towards all-time bad again, specifically with the run defense.

The run defense was a point of contention among Seahawks fans after the loss to Tampa Bay. Pete Carroll admitted to not thinking Tampa was going to run the ball. This ridiculous assumption led to Brian Mone being inactive, and Tampa proceeding to rush for 161 yards and a score. The decision cost the Seahawks the game. This week was something completely different.

I believe Tampa somehow exposed Seattle’s defense, as we saw a Raiders team take a very similar game plan and rush for 283 freaking yards on the road! We saw the front seven of the Seahawks get beat time and time again.

This group appeared to have turned a corner during the 4-game winning streak, but we have to consider that more of an outlier than the expectation, unfortunately. The truth is, this front seven just isn’t good enough. Uchenna Nwosu is a number 3 guy on most great teams. I like him, but he can’t be a #1 pass rusher. Poona Ford is not playing worth his contract. Darrell Taylor looks like a bust, and Jordyn Brooks is not that far behind him. People will love all the tackles he makes, but Jordyn Brooks doesn’t flash, he does make big plays, he gets picked on by the pass, and is unspectacular in the run defense. He needs to step up and start playing like a 1st round pick. And don’t even get me started on Cody Barton.

This secondary is good. Tariq Woolen is a star as we saw Vegas completely avoid him. Quandre Diggs finally made some plays that are important, and Ryan Neal was awesome again (please don’t be hurt). Michael Jackson fought hard against Davante Adams, that’s all you can ask for. This secondary deserves better from its front seven.