The Seattle Seahawks responded to last week’s drubbing by the Baltimore Ravens with a more-than-adequate performance against the one-win Atlanta Falcons, winning the game 27-20 and moving to 6-2 on the year. As such, there were many more positive takeaways than negative this week – let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from Seattle’s win over the Falcons.
THE GOOD
Marquise Blair: Blair earned the start at safety this week in place of Bradley McDougald after a solid performance against the Ravens last Sunday. He did not disappoint, finishing as Seattle’s top tackler of the day with 11 total tackles (9 solos) and a forced fumble in the red zone. With McDougald still at less than 100%, the Seahawks should be comfortable penciling Blair in for the foreseeable future.
Bobby Wagner: Wagner became the Seahawks’ all-time leading tackler on Sunday, beating out safety Eugene Robinson atop the list and finishing the game with 989 total tackles so far over his career. “I think he’s going to own that forever,” coach Pete Carroll said after the game. Wagner also recovered the crucial red-zone fumble forced by Blair at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Shaquill Griffin: Griffin was all over the place throughout the game, ending with a stat line of 4 solo tackles, 2 passes defended, and a tackle for loss. His presence made a huge difference against Matt Schaub and the Falcons, who put up zero points in the first half due in part to Griffin’s quick instincts and physical style of play.
THE BAD
The second half: The Seahawks dominated the Falcons in the first half, blanking them 24-0 after two quarters. This was not the case in the second half, during which Atlanta appeared to make adjustments and Seattle did not, allowing 20 points to just 3 of their own and only putting up 60 yards vs. Atlanta’s 338. Carroll called the effort “lousy” and blamed himself – whatever the case, the Seahawks cannot afford to get complacent against a sneaky Bucs offense next week.
THE UGLY
Justin Britt’s injury: The Seahawks potentially lost their starting center for the rest of the season as Britt went down with a leg injury early in the game, appearing to be in serious pain but able to walk off the field under his own power. He was quickly ruled out, and Carroll told reporters after the game that the injury “looks like an ACL,” which would shut Britt down for the year. The loss of Britt is a heavy blow to an offensive line that has already had problems staying healthy this season.
