Mike Macdonald vindicated by Seahawks blowout of the Falcons

Everything the Seattle Seahawks hoped would happen when the team hired Mike Macdonald this offseason happened in Week 7 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Heading into the game, Seattle had lost three straight and Atlanta had won three straight and had the kind of offense to give Seattle's defense fits. Instead, Seattle won every phase of the game and dominated the Falcons 34-14.

There was beginning to be some doubt about Macdonald after Seattle's losing streak, and rightfully so. He was a first-time head coach, and players had begun to complain about how down teammates got once the team fell behind in games. There was no proof that Macdonald could get his defense to be suddnely better and improve morale.

The team has to be feeling much better after Week 7. Sure, Atlanta gained quite a few rushing yards, but Seattle adjusted in-game and began to limit running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Atlanta had over 100 rushing yards at the half but picked up fewer than 50 in the second half. It was the kind of adjustment that 12s had not seen from Seattle this year.

Seahawks blowout of the Falcons in Week 7 vindicates Mike Macdonald hire

The Seahawks even scored a defensive touchdown on a forced fumble by Boye Mafe and a scoop-and-run by Derick Hall. After not forcing an interception since Week 1, Seattle got two in Week 7.

The Seahawks also got a 59-yard field goal from Jason Myers. Three of punter Michael Dickson's four punts were downed inside the Atlanta 20.

Offensively, Geno Smith played excellently, perhaps helped by a more balanced game-plan that allowed Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet to get more involved. Seattle threw the ball 29 times, but the running backs had 22 rushes. Walker, on his 24th birthday, had a touchdown rushing and receiving. He finished with 93 total yards, and each one was seemingly effective.

Seattle next plays the Buffalo Bills. There were many who might have thought the Seahawks were entering that game 3-4 and likely to go 3-5. Instead, the kind of victory Seattle had against the Falcons - a complete team win and a good defensive performance even while Seattle missed several key members of the secondary - gives hope for the rest of the season. It also vindicates Mike Macdonald as a quality hire.

The one drawback is an injury to DK Metcalf. He left the game with a knee injury and was seen standing on the sideline for a bit. He was eventually carted off. There were no immediate details on how severe the injury was.

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