The third preseason game is often regarded as the “dress rehearsal” for NFL teams, and the Seattle Seahawks had a strong showing against one of the AFC’s best on Saturday night. The Seahawks turned an early 3-0 deficit into 23 unanswered points in a convincing victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
While the Chargers were resting many key offensive and defensive starters, Seattle is more than pleased in the performance of their team as the preseason starts to wrap up.
Los Angeles may have gotten a couple of garbage time scores with Seattle well in control of the game, but the Seahawks dominated nearly the entire way through. As a result, Saturday night features 4 Studs and only 1 Dud.
No. 1 Stud – Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise
Easily the two most criticized and maligned players on the Seahawks are running backs Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise. Penny has been struggling this preseason and Prosise has long battled injuries which have kept him from any meaningful action for the majority of his career.
On Saturday night, both got a chance to show why Seattle still has faith in the young backs. Penny scored the first touchdown of the night on a fourth-and-short goal-line carry, showing incredible second effort after several initial hits. Prosise scored the second touchdown for the Seahawks to close out the first half and finished the night as Seattle’s leading rusher.
Penny had 22 yards on eight carries and Prosise logged 32 yards on only five touches.
No. 1 Dud – Gary Jennings
It has been a difficult offseason getting noticed for the former West Virginia Mountaineer. Overshadowed by fellow rookie receivers D.K. Metcalf, John Ursua, and Jazz Ferguson, Jennings has struggled for attention.
After comments from Russell Wilson related to Jennings not getting many targets, it was clear the Seahawks wanted to make an effort to get him more involved in the third preseason game. Unfortunately, Jennings was noticed for more negative plays than positive ones. He finished the night with only one reception for 12 yards on three total targets. He had an opportunity for an impressive reception to move the chains late but was unable to get his foot down on the sideline.
Jennings was also called for an unnecessary roughness penalty which wiped out a 16-yard rush and first down from Russell Wilson.
No. 2 Stud – Geno Smith
Seattle’s backup quarterback competition might not be officially wrapped up yet, but veteran Geno Smith took a decisive lead with Paxton Lynch sidelined due to a concussion. Smith bounced back from a poor showing in the first preseason game and a knee surgery which kept him out of the second with a solid outing against the Chargers.
Playing the remainder of the game after Wilson left following Prosise’s touchdown, Smith completed 11 of 18 passes for 117 yards. He also added an additional 24 yards on the ground on six carries and the Seahawks’ third rushing touchdown of the night.
Smith’s strong Saturday night will set up a thrilling showdown between him and Lynch in the fourth preseason game against the Raiders to determine who will backup Wilson in 2019.
No. 3 Stud – Ugo Amadi
Ugo Amadi has been making a name for himself as a special teams star thus far this preseason. Against the Chargers, he continued his solid summer. Amadi finished the game as Seattle’s leading tackler with six total tackles – including one for a loss – and one quarterback hit.
Amadi may have muffed a punt return attempt, but more than made up for it with his overall play on defense and special teams.
After many question marks surrounding the position, the Seahawks suddenly find the safety position very deep, and Amadi is proving to be a great option depth option on the new-look Legion of Boom.
