Seahawks All-22 Review: The good and bad from Seattle’s blowout vs. Saints

The Seattle Seahawks managed to win the trap game. The New Orleans Saints are probably the worst team in the NFL, but Seattle has a long history of losing games when they’re favored. This type of game is dangerous because if you win, you feel like you’ve just fulfilled your obligation, but if you lose, pressure builds and raises several questions about the team.

Seattle did what it had to do in this game: win with authority. The game was essentially decided before the end of the first quarter. In fact, almost the entire second half was spent with the Seahawks running down the middle and waiting for the clock to run out.

With the victory, the Seahawks broke several records:

• Tory Horton scored the longest punt return TD in franchise history (95 yards);
• Tory Horton became the third player in Seahawks history (the others are: Bobby Engram vs. Detroit Lions in 2003, Joey Galloway vs. San Diego Chargers in 1998) to record a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown in the same game;
• 21 points in the first quarter tied the franchise record set against the Giants in 2006;
• JSN reached 183 career receptions, surpassing Koren Robinson (the last Seahawks receiver drafted in the first round before JSN) and becoming the fourth-most in the first three seasons by a player in franchise history;
• 38 first-half points are the third-most in a half in franchise history;
• It was the fifth time in franchise history and the first time since 2013 that the Seahawks held their opponents to 17 points or fewer in the first three games of the season;

All data used in this article was taken from PFF.

The Bad

The inconsistent offensive line (especially in the running game)

This will likely be a recurring topic in post-game analysis. The offensive lineman makes a big play, and two snaps later, the lineman loses the same play. Other times, while some make the right play, a single player’s mistake ruins everything. The 2.6-yard average per carry is a result of this.

I don’t think anyone is surprised by Anthony Bradford’s performance. The position wasn’t addressed in the FA and the Draft, leaving Bradford as the best option on the roster. Bradford has been playing poorly (based on his PFF grade), including in the running game, which should be his greatest strength.

On this play, he simply doesn’t block the blitzer; the pass is deflected, and Sam Darnold is almost sacked. He displays a certain passivity at times that’s irritating.

He probably made a mistake on this play as well, but since I can’t say with 100% certainty about the call, I won’t say for sure. The right side of the line has three threats: the 3-tech, the edge, and a blitzer. The OL is moving to the left side, which could indicate that the right side will block man-to-man, leaving Bradford with Bryan Bresee (#90).

Bradford simply lets the player pass,...