Seattle Seahawks Week 2 Report Card: Some bits of excellence mixed with some hope

Defense: 3/5 stars

The defense got seemingly better as the game wore on, but still started far too slowly. I am not sure if part of the issue is preparation instead of talent, though. Basically, is the problem the defensive coaching staff, especially defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, or the players on the field. Seattle might have been helped if Boye Mafe had been able to play, but he missed the game with injury and Darrell Taylor got most of his snaps. Taylor is terrible against the run still.

Another issue Taylor has is he isn't a good tackler. On one play, he jumped through the Lions offensive line, and got his hands on Detroit running back David Montgomery for what should have been a three-yard loss but instead, Montgomery broke Taylor's tackle and ran for a gain of 6. The other issue for Taylor is that truly only decent in pass rush but got no quarterbacks hits or sacks.

Some might look at the game as the Seahawks defense got better as the game wore on, but the statistics don't show that. Seattle allowed 15 first downs in the second half (compared to 10 in the first half) and allowed 4 of 7 third downs to be converted. Seattle also allowed 217 yards in the second half versus 181 in the first half.

But several Seahawks defenders made huge plays that helped determine the outcome of the game. Cornerback Tre Brown picked Lions quarterback Jared Goff off - Goff's first interception in 384 pass attempts, third-longest streak ever - and returned the ball for a touchdown. Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu forced a fumble in the second half and had a QB hit and a tackle for loss. There were things the defense did that they can build on but they still have a long way to go before being called good.

Defensive player of Week 2: Tre Brown

Yes, Brown gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but he also had the pick-six, as well as 2 passes defended, a sack, and a tackle-for-loss. One needs to remember he is also an outside corner so the sack and TFL are more special. How great is it to have Brown back healthy and starting?