Studs and duds from the Seahawks' Week 4 loss to the Lions

DUD - Seahawks defense

For the past three games, the Seattle Seahawks had been riding high on the back of an impressive defensive performance, limiting their opponents to under 150 total yards each time. This stretch of dominance reinvigorated the Seattle faithful, who were quick to praise new head coach and defensive mastermind Mike Macdonald.

Under his leadership, the defense had shown shades of becoming one of the most formidable units in the league, smothering offenses and keeping the Seahawks undefeated. Expectations were sky-high heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

However, what unfolded in Detroit was a stark contrast to the defensive dominance of the previous weeks. The Seahawks’ defense struggled mightily against Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who delivered a flawless performance. Goff completed all 18 of his pass attempts, carving up Seattle’s secondary for 292 yards and two touchdowns. It was a near-perfect showing from Goff, as he consistently found open receivers and exploited gaps in Seattle’s defense.

The game exposed vulnerabilities in a defense that had looked impenetrable through the first three games. The secondary, which had been effective at locking down opposing receivers, failed to contain Goff's precision passing. Detroit’s play-action and quick passing game kept Seattle’s pass rush at bay, allowing Goff ample time to make his reads and deliver pinpoint throws. Wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams thrived, racking up yards after the catch and consistently moving the chains.

The Seahawks' inability to pressure Goff and disrupt the Lions’ offense was a concerning departure from the defensive game plans that had worked so well earlier in the season. Missed tackles and blown coverages further compounded the issue, leading to a defensive performance that was simply outclassed.

For Macdonald and the Seahawks, this game will serve as a wake-up call. While their early success was promising, it’s clear that there are still areas of concern that need to be addressed. Moving forward, the Seahawks will need to regroup and make adjustments to avoid another defensive collapse like the one they experienced against Detroit.