The Seattle Seahawks traveled south to Atlanta and took care of business as they defeated the Falcons 27-20 to improve to 6-2 on the year, moving to 4-0 on the road for the first time since 1980.
The Seahawks had built an impressive 24-0 lead at the break but were outscored 20-3 in the second half. While Atlanta never truly threatened to take the game back, the Falcons managed to make it much closer than it should have been and ended with a respectable loss.
Fortunately, the Seahawks made the necessary plays late to avoid an embarrassing meltdown and kept pace in a tight NFC. Here are four Studs and two Duds from Week 8.
No. 1 Stud – Seattle’s first-half offense
The Seahawks dominated the Falcons through the first two quarters and cruised to a 24-point lead. Atlanta was fielding a defense ravaged by injuries, and Seattle capitalized as it should have.
There was little to no resistance for Seattle, especially in the red zone. The Seahawks have one of the best red zone offenses in the NFL and added three more touchdowns in all three trips on Sunday.
Running back Chris Carson bulldozed his way in for a one-yard TD, while rookie wide receiver DK Metcalf was left wide open on two goal-line scores. The massive early lead gave the Seahawks plenty of margin for error.
No. 1 Dud – Seattle’s second-half offense
The Seahawks needed every inch of said margin for error. Instead of keeping the pedal to the metal after building a 24-point lead, Seattle completely took its foot off the gas.
Feeling the game was already won at halftime, the Seahawks came out as flat as can be in the third quarter and left an opening for Atlanta to potentially sneak back into the game. Again, the Falcons never truly seemed like they were going to take over, but the lack of second-half offense left the potential for an Atlanta team looking to play spoiler.
The Seahawks did muster a nearly seven-minute, clock-killing drive that resulted in three points to go up 27-11 and not leave enough time for the Falcons late.
No. 2 Stud – Marquise Blair
It was the second straight impressive performance for the rookie safety out of Utah. Blair has become breath of fresh air for Seattle’s defense. His physicality, awareness and smart play provide a clear upgrade at a position the Seahawks have been struggling with as of late.
Blair produced 11 tackles and a few more clips for the highlight reel as he delivered several more crushing hits on Atlanta’s receivers.
Blair’s biggest play came early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons had just scored 11 unanswered points and were on a drive that could have put the Seahawks in real trouble. On first-and-goal from Seattle’s 8-yard line, Blair forced a fumble by running back Devonta Freeman, which was recovered by Bobby Wagner.
The fumble recovery led to Seattle’s only points of the half — kicker Jason Myer’s field goal to essentially seal the win.
No. 2 Dud – Seattle’s secondary overall
Blair had a great Sunday afternoon, and cornerback Shaquill Griffin had a handful of quality pass deflections, but those were the only highlights from the secondary in Week 8.
The Falcons were without their MVP, quarterback Matt Ryan, who was sidelined due to a sprained ankle. However, if you didn’t know any better, you’d have hardly been able to tell the difference.
Making his first start in four years, 38-year-old backup quarterback Matt Schaub carved up Seattle’s defense. Schaub finished the game 32 of 59 passing for 460 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The Seahawks had better hope Quandre Diggs will provide quality reinforcements, because letting Schaub finish 40 yards away from a 500-yard game is truly concerning.
No. 3 Studs – Veteran linebackers
Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks form the best linebacking corps in Seahawks history. The three are constantly flying around the field and are exactly why Seattle likes to play in the base defense more than anyone else in the NFL.
Against the Falcons, Wright finished No. 2 in tackles behind Blair with 10. Kendricks had seven tackles, one for a loss, a pass deflection and an interception right before the half. Wagner had six tackles, one sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
Wagner also became the No. 1 tackler in Seahawks franchise history.
No. 4 Stud – Tyler Lockett
Doug Baldwin who? Week in, week out, Lockett continues to prove his breakout 2018 season was no fluke. Lockett has emerged as one of the better receivers in the NFL and is clearly Russell Wilson’s go-to target.
Lockett caught all six passes thrown his way for 100 yards. Even when he isn’t finding the end zone, he is still managing to escape defenders and move the chains consistently.
After Doug Baldwin’s retirement last offseason, the Seahawks still have a bona fide No. 1 receiver and look like they have their No. 2 in DK Metcalf, who scored two touchdowns on the day.
