The Seattle Seahawks are starting the 2024 season with confidence, securing back-to-back victories in their first two games. After an encouraging Week 1 win, the Seahawks delivered another impressive performance against the New England Patriots in Week 2, giving fans plenty to be excited about.
Under the leadership of new head coach Mike Macdonald, the team is already showing the positive impact of its offseason changes, particularly with an emphasis on a re-energized defense and a more balanced offensive approach.
Macdonald, who took over after the departure of longtime coach Pete Carroll, has quickly set a new tone for the team, focusing on a more aggressive, disciplined defense and creative offensive schemes. This shift has been evident in the Seahawks' early success, with players responding to his leadership and vision.
Two studs and two duds from the Seahawks Week 2 victory over the Patriots
The defense, which struggled with consistency last season, has been a key part of the Seahawks’ success, creating turnovers and limiting opponents’ opportunities. Against the Patriots, Seattle's defense played with energy and discipline, making critical stops and forcing turnovers that helped the Seahawks take control of the game.
As the Seahawks head into Week 3, their back-to-back wins are a sign that this team is on the right track. Macdonald’s early success is giving fans hope that the Seahawks could be a legitimate contender this season. With a strong foundation in place, the Seahawks appear to be on the right track. However, as they continue their journey through the season, the real test will be maintaining this level of performance against tougher opponents.
The road to the playoffs is a long and grueling one, but if the Seahawks can keep improving each week, they have the potential to be a legitimate contender. Under Macdonald’s leadership, the ceiling for this team seems higher than it’s been in recent years, and if they can continue building on their early momentum, there’s no telling how far they can go this season.
Stud - Hero Geno
After a breakout 2022 season that saw Geno Smith silence his critics and earn Pro Bowl honors, the pressure to repeat that success in 2023 was even higher. In 2022, Smith exceeded all expectations, proving himself as a legitimate starting quarterback after years of being labeled a backup. However, the NFL is a "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" league, and after a rough start to the 2023 season, the doubters have returned, questioning whether Smith’s success was just a one-year fluke. Despite the noise, Smith is determined to prove everyone wrong once again.
In Week 1, the Seattle Seahawks' offense sputtered, and Smith struggled to find his rhythm. The offensive line didn’t hold up well, the receivers had trouble getting separation, and the running game lacked consistency. As a result, Seattle’s offense could barely muster any points in a disappointing season opener.
Critics were quick to pounce on Smith, suggesting that he might be regressing to the inconsistent player of old. But anyone who knows Geno knows that he thrives when his back is against the wall.
In Week 2, against a tough New England Patriots defense, Smith showed resilience. Although the offense still didn’t click at full capacity, Smith was able to lead the Seahawks to an overtime victory, a testament to his leadership and ability to perform under pressure. The Seahawks offense wasn’t perfect by any means - there were still missed opportunities and drives that stalled - but Smith found a way to keep the team in the game.
When it mattered most, he made key throws, led a game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter, and ultimately helped Seattle secure a hard-fought 20-17 win in overtime.
The overtime performance showcased the qualities that have made Geno Smith a compelling figure in the NFL. He was calm in the face of pressure, making smart decisions and avoiding costly mistakes. The touchdown pass he threw in overtime was a perfect example of his ability to deliver when the stakes are highest. It wasn’t just about stats or flashy plays; it was about leadership, grit, and determination—qualities that have earned Smith the respect of his teammates and coaches.
While it’s clear the Seahawks’ offense hasn’t yet found its groove, Smith’s ability to lead the team to a 2-0 start is promising. The offense is a work in progress, and there’s plenty of room for improvement, but Geno’s resilience and leadership give Seattle a fighting chance in every game. As the season continues, the question remains: Can Smith once again silence the doubters and lead the Seahawks to another successful season? If Week 2’s overtime win is any indication, Geno isn’t backing down from the challenge.
Dud - Seahawks running game
The absence of starting running back Kenneth Walker III in Week 2 was a significant blow to the Seattle Seahawks offense, as they struggled to get anything going on the ground against a formidable New England Patriots run defense. Without their dynamic workhorse, Seattle’s rushing attack was nearly nonexistent, totaling just 46 rushing yards in the entire game.
For a team that prides itself on balancing the offense with a strong run game, this lack of production was alarming. If the Seahawks hope to sustain their early-season success and keep winning, improving the ground game is an absolute necessity.
Walker, who had a standout rookie season, is a crucial part of the Seahawks’ offensive identity. His combination of speed, vision, and toughness makes him a threat to break off big runs, keeping defenses on their heels. In his absence, Seattle turned to their other running back, Zach Charbonnet but was not able to fill the void. Charbonnet, a second-round pick with high expectations, managed just 38 rushing yards on fourteen carries. Those numbers simply aren’t enough to support a consistent offensive attack, especially against a defense as disciplined as New England’s.
The lack of a running game not only hurt Seattle’s ability to control the clock but also put extra pressure on quarterback Geno Smith to carry the offense. With no ground threat to keep the defense honest, the Patriots were able to focus more on disrupting the passing game, which led to Smith facing constant pressure and forcing him to make quick decisions. While Smith ultimately led the team to an overtime victory, the offense was far from smooth, and the absence of Walker was a glaring issue throughout the game.
Moving forward, the Seahawks must find a way to be more effective on the ground, especially if Walker is forced to miss additional time. Establishing a running game is critical for keeping the offense balanced and preventing defenses from keying in on Smith and the passing attack. Whether it’s getting Charbonnet more involved or adjusting their blocking schemes, Seattle has to address this issue quickly.
Stud(s) - Big receiving game for two Seahawks
Even though the Seattle Seahawks’ running game was virtually nonexistent in their Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots, there were promising signs from the passing game, especially from wide receivers DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While the offense is still very much a work in progress and needs to improve across the board, the strong showing from these two receivers gave the Seahawks a much-needed boost.
Metcalf and Smith-Njigba combined for 22 catches and 246 receiving yards, providing Seattle with a reliable air attack in a game where the ground game faltered.
DK Metcalf, who had a quiet Week 1 after being shadowed by Denver Broncos’ star cornerback Patrick Surtain, was able to bounce back in Week 2 with a standout performance. Metcalf’s ability to find open space against New England’s secondary was a key factor in the Seahawks’ offensive success. He showed his trademark combination of size, speed, and physicality, creating mismatches for the Patriots’ defensive backs.
In addition to racking up yardage, Metcalf also found the end zone, hauling in a touchdown pass from Geno Smith. After being shut down in Week 1, getting on the scoreboard was a big confidence boost for Metcalf and a reminder of how dangerous he can be when given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had his breakout game, living up to the hype that surrounded him as a first-round pick. Smith-Njigba, known for his precise route running and reliable hands, was a frequent target for Smith, consistently finding soft spots in New England’s coverage. His ability to make plays after the catch added an extra dimension to Seattle’s passing game, allowing the offense to move the chains and keep drives alive. Smith-Njigba’s performance showed that he could become a key weapon in the Seahawks’ aerial attack moving forward.
The strong showing from the wide receivers gives the Seahawks hope that, once the offense fully gels, they could be a dynamic unit. With Metcalf’s physical presence and Smith-Njigba’s route-running precision, Seattle has the potential for a lethal one-two punch in the passing game. If they can get the running game back on track and provide more balance, this offense could become one of the most dangerous in the league.
Dud - Seahawks bad tackling
When Mike Macdonald was hired as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, one of the biggest expectations was that the defense would make significant strides. After years of inconsistent play and defensive struggles, the hope was that Macdonald, known for his work as a defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens, would bring a new level of discipline and toughness to the Seahawks’ defense. While there have been noticeable improvements from last season, one glaring issue remains the defense’s inability to finish tackles and prevent opponents from gaining extra yardage.
In Week 2, this issue was particularly evident as the Seahawks’ defense struggled to contain the Patriots' running backs, Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson. Both backs consistently gained additional yards after contact, with poor tackling form and missed opportunities costing Seattle valuable field position.
The Seahawks’ defense, which had been promising in their season opener, was shredded on the ground by the tandem of Gibson and Stevenson. They combined for several key runs, extending drives and allowing the Patriots to control the pace of the game.
Finishing tackles is a fundamental aspect of any defense, and it’s something the Seahawks will need to address quickly if they want to be successful this season. Despite the improvements Macdonald has brought in terms of scheme and overall defensive aggression, the inability to wrap up and bring down ball carriers is preventing the Seahawks from taking the next step. Missed tackles not only allow opponents to gain extra yardage but also keep Seattle’s defense on the field longer, wearing them down over the course of the game.
As the Seahawks prepare for Week 3, fixing their tackling woes will be a top priority. Macdonald and his staff will need to drill the importance of wrapping up and finishing plays into their defenders. There’s no doubt that the Seahawks’ defense has the talent to be a strong unit, but until they can consistently finish tackles and limit extra yardage, they will remain a work in progress.