Mike Macdonald gives 'closer ball' to Tyler Lockett after Seahawks Week 1 victory

All preseason long, Tyler Lockett did not play potentially due to a thigh injury. Sometimes, and let's be honest, as a presumed starter, Lockett was not going to play much anyway. Still, he showed up on the injury report as questionable ahead of Week 1 so there was some doubt as to how productive Lockett would be against the Denver Broncos.

Lockett being Lockett, however, he managed to be Seattle's best receiver versus Denver. He led the team in catches with six and in receiving yards with 77. He also made the game-clinching play when quarterback Geno Smith needed a first down on third-and-six and saw Lockett run a crossing pattern near the first-down marker, threw the pass a bit ahead of Lockett who was able to catch the ball one-handed.

Lockett was able to run forward for a first down and the Broncos could not stop the clock in order to eventually force a Seahawks punt. Head coach Mike Macdonald won his first game in charge of Seattle and the team got a much-needed victory as the schedule begins to get much tougher in Week 3.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett proves his worth to the team again in Week 1

In the post-game press conference, Macdonald said Lockett was awarded the "closer ball" as the receiver had almost closed the game out. Would Seattle have won the game without Lockett? Probably not. But as he begins what could be his final season with the team (Lockett will turn 33 early in the 2025 season and his cap hit is north of $30 million), he is proving again how needed he is.

Other players were worthy of game balls as well. Edge rusher Boye Mafe had a sack and two tackles for loss. Cornerback Riq Woolen had two passes defended and an interception. Running back Kenneth Walker III ran the ball 20 times and had 103 yards rushing.

The team certainly looked different than it has recently under former head coach Pete Carroll. The tackling was much better and linebacker coverage was excellent. Seattle still trailed in time of possession, however. That was likely because the offense got off to a bad start, but at least the group improved as the game wore on.

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