The Seattle Seahawks host the Kansas City Chiefs in a pivotal Week 7 matchup. Maybe it's a bit early to say the season is on the line, but it doesn't feel that way. So, 12s, ask yourselves this: who do you trust?
I can't say that I'd feel okay about this season if the Seahawks lost to the Chiefs. I mean, yes, Kansas City is a solid team, a very good team. But so is Seattle, right? The Chiefs have a strong defense, but the Seahawks' D is better. Patrick Mahomes is still one of the league's top quarterbacks, but Sam Darnold is... Sam is... let me get back to you on that.
The issue with Seattle is that Darnold isn't the only issue. If he were, it would be much more likely that Mike Macdonald would have put Drew Lock back in and given Darnold time to work on his... whatever the heck he needs to work on. With every loss, it's been another player who stumbles. Or fumbles. Okay, enough. Let's get positive and see who we can trust.
Some rise while others sink in the trust index
The Seattle Seahawks alphas
Nick Emmanwori, Swiss Army Knife
Let's be real, 12s. He's listed as a safety, but he's lined up as an edge rusher, a cornerback, a slot corner, a linebacker, and a safety. You tell me where to put the guy. Seven tackles (one for a loss), two QB hits, and a sack. The only question mark is if he'll be healthy enough to play. If he's even at 80 percent, the Chiefs are in trouble.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
As if he wasn't going to jump right back into the alpha group. JSN is leading the league in receiving yards and touchdown catches, to the surprise of exactly zero 12s. No one runs routes as crisply as Smith-Njigba, and no one has his deceptive speed. I'm not saying he's Jerry Rice, so calm down. But like Rice, he was supposed to be slow coming out of college. Tell that to the league's defensive backs.
The fast risers
George Holani, RB
I said there would be some major shakeups every week. Like virtually everyone else, I had left Holani for dead after his horrific performance against the Niners. Fumbling in your own end zone...yikes. Happily, Mike Macdonald doesn't play by my knee-jerk rules, and trusted his back to step up against the Broncos. Five carries, two first downs, and Seattle's only touchdown. He just might be back.
The proving ground
Rashid Shaheed, WR/returner
Can we please get some consistent play from this man? There's no doubt that he wants that more than anyone; more than the 12s, more than Mike Macdonald. He finally broke out as a receiving threat against the Broncos with five catches for 66 yards. Huzzah! And he mixed that in with two fumbles, one of which killed a drive at the Denver 35-yard line. You're killing me, Smalls. You're killing me.
Anthony Bradford, G
Bradford faces a major challenge in his first game back from injury. The Chiefs' run defense ranks just outside the top five in the NFL, and with Zach Charbonnet and Zadarin Price still out, Seattle will need every bit of Bradford's grown-man strength to open holes for Emaneul Wilson and whoever else will tote the rock Sunday night. Let's just hope he manages to block pass rushers on occasion.
The slipping grip
Tory Horton, WR
For weeks, we were wondering why Horton wasn't getting more looks in the Seahawks' passing game. He only had five catches, but every time he touched the ball, he moved the chains. Except for the one time he scored instead. Well, we got the answer against Denver, when a lazy route resulted in a Sam Darnold pick. Dude, you were supposed to be the new Tyler Lockett, not DK Metcalf.
Sam Darnold, QB
I'm not happy to write this, but let's get serious. We can talk about bad routes (see above) and fumbles (also see above), but it's clear that Darnold is not playing at the same level he did last season. Through Week 6 last year, he'd thrown 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. This year, he's throwing cocktails: 7 and 7. He has to turn that around, and today would be a great day to start.
The afterthoughts
Christian Haynes/ Beau Stephens, G
Yep, I'm keeping the tandem together. Neither player stepped up and took over at right guard, despite having month-long auditions. Neither Haynes nor Stephens were disastrous in pass-blocking, but they weren't exactly Steve Hutchinson, either. Bradford hasn't been a brick wall himslef, but at least he can open running lanes. Back to mop-up duty, gentlemen.
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