Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks looked like two completely different teams within the same game against the Atlanta Falcons. The first half brought back all the recent concerns on offense, producing only six points and little rhythm. But after halftime, the defense elevated its level even further and the offense finally found its most consistent stretch in weeks.
While the six-point first half remains a major red flag — especially against stronger opponents who won’t let you climb back into games — credit is due to Klint Kubiak and Sam Darnold for the second-half adjustments.
All data used in this article was taken from PFF.
Seattle’s offensive line is young and full of potential. Names like Charles Cross, Abe Lucas and Grey Zabel form what should be a solid long-term unit. Yet the group regularly fails to operate as one — lacking cohesion, timing, and communication. Even though the sack numbers look acceptable, this line could be doing far more.
One example: the double-team. It’s supposed to give the OL a numbers advantage, but Seattle constantly mistimes these combos. After the initial contact, one blocker must climb to the second level based on the play design and defensive alignment. That’s not happening.
Olu Oluwatimi — who didn’t capitalize on his opportunity as the temporary starter — was late off the snap and lacked the explosion to compensate. His double-team with Zabel fails because while the guard correctly climbs to block #17, the center can’t handle #93 alone. Ken Walker receives the ball with a defender already in the backfield.
On the opposite side, things aren’t much cleaner. Abe Lucas and Anthony Bradford attempt a double-team with zero synchronization. Lucas moves to pick up LB #0, which is correct, but Bradford abandons the block to stare at the opposite side of the formation and ultimately blocks no one. To make matters worse, Nick Kallerup can’t seal the edge, leaving Walker nowhere to go.
(Side note: RB coach Kennedy Polamalu will step away from the team for the rest of the season. It’ll be interesting to see the impact on the run game.)
Oluwatimi actually has leverage against #93 on one snap, but again fails to generate the explosion needed to sustain it. On the right side, Lucas wastes too much time on #17, allowing #55 to crash untouched into the backfield. With no push to the left side, Walker is forced to cut back — directly into two unblocked defenders.
Then comes the blitz. Atlanta sends #55, and while Zabel appears to check the linebacker pre-snap, he decides to help Charles Cross when the LT loses inside leverage. By the time Zabel redirects, it’s too late. Walker whiffs in pass protection and Darnold needs run to escape.
On another breakdown, Cross follows #17 inside even though a blitzer is coming off the edge. Zabel sees #55 coming free and tries to salvage the play. As #17 executes a stunt,...
