The Seattle Seahawks came out on top in Week 4, although it wasn't the easiest win, and certainly wasn't the prettiest. But a win is a win, and some Seahawks stepped up to make it happen. Some others, not so much. So, who do you trust?
Seattle faces its toughest test by far this Sunday. Squaring off against the 4-0 49ers (it's gross to even write that) will require the Seahawks to play their best ball of the season. Now, all 12s know who we can count on in this game; well, mostly. We're not sure about Leonard Williams, but that's only because we're not sure how much he can play. It's gross to write that, too.
Or maybe it's just sad. Or terrifying. Still, as head coach Mike Macdonald preaches, it's a 70-man roster. If Williams can't take the field for his usual 70 percent or so of snaps, someone needs to step up. Maybe this guy. Hopefully, we won't have to find out how trustworthy he may be. For now, we have a solid picture of these Seahawks going into Week 5.
Some Seahawks climb while others fall
- The Seattle Seahawks alphas
- The mainstays
- The fast risers
- The proving ground
- The slipping grip
- The afterthoughts
The Seattle Seahawks alphas
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
In reality, he didn't have an alpha performance against the Chargers. And that's actually a good thing. After three weeks, JSN had 38 percent of all Seattle targets. In Week 4, he had six of 22 targets, for just 27 percent. Through Week 3, JSN had 405 of Seattle's 828 receiving yards, or 49 percent. That "dropped" to 45 percent of their yards through the air against the Chargers.
But don't get it twisted. JSN is still as trustworthy as ever. It's important that, for the second time this season, someone not named Smith-Njigba caught touchdown passes for the Seahawks. As great as he is, Seattle can't be a one-man show through the air. He caught 37 percent of the passes last year for 44 percent of the yardage. It's a 70-man roster, and no one understands that better than JSN.
Ernest Jones IV, LB
It's almost unfair to list his stats from the Chargers game: 12 tackles, one of those for a loss; one QB hit, one sack; one pass defense, and of course, that 20-yard interception return that cut the lights on any Chargers potential comeback. Why unfair? Because we've come to expect it from him every game. He's the most underrated player, not just on the Seahawks, but in the league.
The mainstays
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB
No, I have not been hitting the sauce; not unless you're talking about BBQ. Pritchett was very nearly the poster child for wasted draft picks coming into this season. Instead, he's been as close to Richard Sherman 2.0 as you can get. Through four weeks, Pritchett passer rating allowed is 48.3. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranks him 7th among all cornerbacks in the league. Riq who?
Emanuel Wilson, RB
Wilson really came through last week, after Seattle couldn't get anything going on the ground in Week 3. Certainly, no one is going to mistake him for Kenneth Walker. But the NFL does have that funny thing called a salary cap, and you can't keep everyone. Meanwhile, Wilson has truly stepped up for Seattle. Against the Cardinals and the Chargers, he provided the balance this offense needs.
The fast risers
Rashid Shaheed, WR
Yeah, I'm not moving Shaheed up to the mainstays yet, let alone the alphas. It isn't some weird vendetta, for those of you rocking the 22 jersey. And 90 percent of those jerseys say "Brown", so we're all good anyway. As for Shaheed, yes, he finally showed up in Week 4. I'm all for more Shaheed in the backfield. Now let's work on getting him open in the red zone. Or anywhere.
The proving ground
Christian Haynes/ Beau Stephens, G
Not much point in listing these guys separately, as they're conjoined by the coaching staff. Last week, Haynes played the first and third quarters, while Stephens took the second and fourth. In effect, they're still in their extended tryouts to replace Anthony Bradford at right guard. So far, neither has gained a significant advantage. The Niners will likely provide some clarity. Hopefully, not in a bad way.
The slipping grip
George Holani, RB
With Zach Charbonnet out to start the season and Jadarian Price on injured reserve now, Holani has had every chance to step up and take the number one back role. Yes, the Seahawks have relied much more on Emanuel Wilson, but the third-year back has already had as many carries this year as he did all of last season. Average yardage last year: 3.3; this year: 3.2. The clock is ticking away.
Anthony Bradford, G
Is it fair that Bradford may be losing his grip on his starting gig at right guard, only because he's injured? No, it wouldn't be fair, except for the fact that he was ranked 70th out of 81 guards in the league by PFF last season. His run-blocking this year has been very good, but his pass-blocking is rated at 3.1. Not 31, three point one. Wally Pipp, you may have company soon; no Gehrig required.
The afterthoughts
Dante Fowler, DE
Hey, at least his contract isn't that much. He did finally make the stat sheet, but Seattle needs a lot more from him. Really, this would be the perfect week for him to break out. Maybe someone needs to remind him that he isn't stuck on the Cowboys anymore.
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