Even the defending champions make mistakes. The Seattle Seahawks are 3-2 after five weeks, and while they lost both of those games in the final possession, you're only as good as your record says you are.
While it's still way too early to talk about a crisis, this Seahawks team hasn't been as locked in as it was last season. Execution must be better, and it feels like they've overlooked some of their opponents. That can't happen when everyone is aiming for your crown.
Notably, the Seahawks won't have much time to dwell, as they'll visit the Denver Broncos on a short week after a tough divisional loss. That's why they must answer these five questions if they want to get back on track.
5 questions Mike Macdonald and the Seattle Seahawks must answer in Week 6
Can they finally establish the run?
This team can't run the ball efficiently, regardless of who's out there. Emanuel Wilson has been the most effective ball carrier, but it still looks like they have to fight twice as hard as they should for every yard on the ground.
The Broncos' run defense hasn't been particularly great this season. They give up 145.2 rushing yards per game, ranking 29th in the league, and the Los Angeles Chargers' committee put up 4.6 yards per carry against them last week.
Will the offensive line hold up?
The Seahawks' offensive line is clearly missing Anthony Bradford. He may have looked like the weakest link before his injury, but they're struggling to hold their own in the trenches without his sturdy frame and physicality.
The Broncos' front seven hasn't been as good as it was last season, but it features some bullies. The 49ers dominated the line of scrimmage last week, and Grey Zabel and Jalen Sundell might have some trouble against D.J. Jones and Zach Allen.
What version of Sam Darnold will we get?
The good Sam Darnold makes sound decisions, gets rid of the ball when there's no play, and makes timely throws and good reads. The bad Sam Darnold overthrows his guys, dances around in the pocket, and puts the ball in harm's way with wild throws or by holding onto it.
The Seahawks need the first one; the second one can stay home. Darnold has regressed since the Super Bowl-winning season, and even with Patrick Surtain II set to miss the game, the Broncos' defense is coming off a game in which it forced three turnovers in Week 5.
Is there someone else to trust but JSN?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba will always answer the call, but he showed that he's not a superhero. Even the best make mistakes at times, and while there was no excuse for that drop in Week 5, that's just a byproduct of not having another reliable weapon to trust down the stretch.
Smith-Njigba can put up numbers like the best of them, but this is a team sport. The Seahawks must get everyone else going, or they might be an unfortunate injury— or another rare mistake— away from some major problems on offense.
How long a leash for Josh Jobe?
Josh Jobe was on the wrong end of almost every big catch last week. He just couldn't do anything against Mike Evans, giving up five first downs and a touchdown on six receptions. It was just a brutal watch.
Jobe has officially become the team's liability in the secondary. Jaylen Waddle isn't as physical as Evans, but he's shiftier and much more explosive. So, how long a leash will Jobe get if he struggles out of the gate?
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