The Seattle Seahawks fell to two games back in the NFC West on a rainy, dreary Seattle afternoon that seemed to perfectly reflect their lackluster 30-16 performance against the Baltimore Ravens. Most of the noteworthy takeaways from the game are on the negative side, but one particular player did exceed expectations in the loss. Let’s take a closer look at the good, the bad and the ugly Week 7.
THE GOOD
Marquise Blair: The rookie safety made his first start for Seattle in place of the injured Bradley McDougald and definitively rose to the task, posting six total tackles and a pass breakup. “He’s a runner and a hitter,” coach Pete Carroll said of Blair on Friday. “There’s no question about his ability level.” Blair’s solid performance against the Ravens should garner him a serious look to start against the Falcons next week.
THE BAD
The offense: Seattle’s offense struggled throughout the game, never settling into a rhythm with the pass or the run. Russell Wilson had just 20 completions and a single touchdown on 41 attempts, while leading rusher Chris Carson was held to just 65 yards on 21 carries after posting three straight games of 100 yards or more. Seven different Seahawks caught passes from Wilson, but none of them (save Tyler Lockett, who went 5-7 with 61 yards and a touchdown) was able to make more than a passing positive effect on the day. Inefficiency, however, was not the only problem that Seattle faced…
THE UGLY
Turnovers: The Ravens’ defense had their way with the Seahawks, ultimately becoming the difference in the game with two turnovers returned for touchdowns. In the second quarter, newly-acquired cornerback Marcus Peters darted into the way of a late Wilson pass for Wilson’s first interception of the season, bringing it back 67 yards to put Baltimore up 13-10. Late in the fourth quarter, DK Metcalf fumbled the football just 18 yards away from his own end zone, allowing Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey to scoop it up and run it back in for the score. At the end of the day, the Seahawks ended up losing by 14 points – the exact number of points that the Ravens scored off turnovers.
They kicked the field goal?: Fouth and 5 at the Ravens 17-yard line with 1:49 left in the game, down 30-13, with an MVP-caliber quarterback famous for coming through in the clutch . . . and the Seahawks elected to kick it through the uprights rather than go for it. With that decision, they essentially signaled to the fans that they were throwing in the towel – an unusual attitude for this team. Seattle will need to find its grit on the road next week against the Falcons, who, despite their 1-6 record, have the talent to surprise any team looking past them.
