3 biggest overreactions to Seahawks Week 2 game versus Lions
By Paul Taylor
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If there's one thing sports fans are known for, it's their propensity to not be particularly objective when it comes to the team or teams they support. In their defense it (usually) comes from a place of passion, but it does leave them prone to overreacting to things that happen both on and off the field. Seattle Seahawks fans are no different.
It's even more prominent during games when fans will often go through the gamut of emotions. And it only gets worse if your team is involved in -- for example -- a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. As such, you can well imagine what a roller coaster affair Sunday's game in Detroit was for the Seahawks' legion of followers.
Of course the most important thing was that the Seahawks ultimately won, 37-31 in overtime. However, this doesn't change the reality fans were all over the place during more than three hours of football. Here are three of the biggest overreactions to the game versus the Lions:
Overreaction No. 1: Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has lost his mojo on defense
The defense has admittedly been extremely porous through the first two weeks of the season. They are ranked second-worst in the NFL for yards allowed while giving up 30+ points in both games. The pass defense has looked particularly bad, allowing both Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff to throw for over 300 yards.
As a result, critics are saying head coach Pete Carroll has lost it when it comes to defense. That he's too old and the game has passed him by. That he no longer has what it takes to build a unit that can dominate, a la the Legion of Boom.
In fairness, this is a follow-on from previous seasons. For example, last year the Seahawks were ranked 26th in yards allowed and 25th in points conceded. The season before they were a lowly 28th in yards allowed, although they did also have the right amount of bend-but-don't-break, as per finishing tied-11th best in points given up.
The thing is though, Carroll has proven over a long period of time that his defensive philosophies do work. That he is capable of adjusting his system as necessary, to put his defense in the best possible situation to achieve positive results. It's why he was able to succeed as a defensive coach in the likes of Minnesota, New York and San Francisco.
You don't build one of the very best defenses in NFL history, without knowing what you're doing. How else do you explain the Seahawks dominating the best-ever offense -- at least statistically speaking -- in Super Bowl XLVIII? Even at 72 years old, Carroll knows what he's doing and what it takes.
The San Franciso, California native made wholesale changes to the defensive line during the past offseason. This proves he's not afraid to admit his mistakes and do whatever it takes in the pursuit of success. And while the pass rush is still causing some concern, the run defense is showing signs of life in allowing an average of under 100 yards on the ground through the first two contests.
As for the secondary, Devon Witherspoon made his debut on Sunday and while there were some errors -- which was to be expected -- he overall showed why he was selected fifth overall in this year's draft. And whenever Jamal Adams returns to action, the defensive backfield will become better. (Carroll has said Adams will have a full week of practice but is currently 50/50 to face the Panthers at the weekend.) Overall, the defense is a work in progress and it just requires some patience - something which Carroll has certainly earned the right to, given his history and reputation.