There are no style points in the NFL, and the Seattle Seahawks are certainly grateful for that. On Sunday the Seahawks tied a franchise record with their sixth road win of the year, remaining unbeaten away from Seattle, with a sloppy 17-9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Not only did the Seahawks continue their winning ways on the road, they also continued their 30-year win streak in Philadelphia. The Seahawks have not lost in the City of Brotherly Love since September of 1989.
It was an ugly affair in the cold, windy Sunday afternoon, but the Seahawks walked away with an important victory to stay on pace with the rest of the NFC and keep their hopes of a division title comfortably alive. As a result, here are 3 Studs and 2 Duds from Sunday’s game.
No. 1 Stud- Rashaad Penny
It’s been a rather interesting start to Rashaad Penny’s career. Taken as Seattle’s first pick in the 2018 draft, Penny has been somewhat of an afterthought with Chris Carson (more on him later) emerging as the starting back.
But on Sunday, Penny was the player of the game for Seattle’s offense. The second-year pro showcased his elusiveness in front of the hostile Philly faithful en route to 129 rushing yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.
The biggest play of the game came at the start of the fourth quarter when Penny sliced right through the middle of Philadelphia’s defense on 1st-and-20 for a 58-yard touchdown. This was the life Seattle’s offense was needing and essentially iced the game.
No. 1 Dud – Chris Carson
Chris Carson may be one of the league’s rushing leaders this season, but he simply cannot hold onto the ball. On Sunday, Seattle’s starter lost control and had consecutive fumbles in the fourth quarter.
While the second fumble was a result of a botched hand-off from quarterback Russell Wilson, it came immediately after Carson fumbled only one play prior. Unfortunately, the second one was the one the Eagles recovered.
Fumbles were sort of the icing on the cake for Carson, who didn’t do mcuh Sunday with only 26 yards on eight carries.
Carson had excellent ball security last year, but has lost control seven times already this season. Coach Pete Carroll has shown a remarkable amount of faith in him despite his ball-security issues. But with the fumbles continuing, it’s fair to wonder when Carroll will stop being so patient.
No. 2 Stud – Ziggy Ansah
Welcome to Seattle, Ziggy Ansah. Signed in the offseason as a low-risk/high-reward kind of player to help bolster the pass rush, Ansah has failed to make much impact this season. This changed in a big way on Sunday.
Missing Jadeveon Clowney due to injury, Ansah made quick work of an injury-depleted Eagles offensive line. He made life miserable for quarterback Carson Wentz and Philly’s running backs.
Ansah finished the day with four tackles, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble. Don’t look now, but Seattle’s pass rush might be turning a corner for real.
No. 2 Dud – DK Metcalf
Consistency is the primary issue with DK Metcalf. It seems he is either putting forth a spectacular outing, or struggling mightily, which isn’t unusual for a rookie.
Unfortunately, Metcalf showcased the latter against Philadelphia. The Ole Miss standout hauled in three passes for 31 yards but had three absolutely brutal drops.
The most frustrating came right before halftime. With only a minute left in the second quarter, Wilson heaved a deep bomb to Metcalf, who had raced past the defenders, only to drop what would have been a touchdown right in the end zone.
This drop kept the score 10-3, instead of giving Seattle a 14-point lead at the intermission.
No. 3 Studs – Seattle’s secondary
Seattle’s secondary had an old-school Legion of Boom style day, as they were doing their best impersonations of Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas.
Philadelphia was hurting at receivers as Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor were out, and Seattle took full advantage of the weakness. Cornerback Tre Flowers had easily his best day as a Seahawk, finishing with seven tackles, three pass defended, and an interception. Similarly, safety Bradley McDougald had six tackles of his own, a pass defense and an interception.
Shaquill Griffin continued his solid season, with his biggest play coming in the fourth quarter when he broke up a pass on 4th-and-2 when the Eagles were deep in Seattle territory.
To put the icing on the cake, recently acquired safety Quandre Diggs recovered a fumble as well, his second turnover in two games.
