Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Indianapolis Colts fits neatly into the category of games where the final score masks a lot of underlying issues. From an All-22 perspective, snap by snap, this was a win built more on competitiveness, defensive execution, and timely plays than on a coherent or efficient offensive performance.
In classic Field Gulls fashion, the tape presents a very clear split between what worked and what absolutely did not.
The Seahawks’ inability to run the ball was not about play selection or running back vision — it was about the offensive line losing, repeatedly and decisively, at the line of scrimmage.
On film, the Colts consistently controlled the point of attack. Interior defenders penetrated gaps almost immediately, disrupting zone concepts before they could develop. Guards struggled to generate lateral movement, combo blocks rarely reached the second level with balance, and defensive linemen were able to shed blocks far too quickly.
This showed up most clearly on early downs. Inside zone plays were blown up by penetration, outside zone was strung out due to poor leverage, and even gap concepts failed because pullers were late or met by unblocked defenders in the hole. On multiple snaps, the running back was forced to redirect before the mesh point was even complete.
When an offensive line can’t create displacement or maintain angles, the result is predictable: minimal gains and an offense constantly stuck behind schedule. That reality left Seattle in too many obvious passing situations and removed any sense of offensive balance.
Here’s a big problem with the play call. The Seahawks call a full-slide to the left, even with four threats on the right side and only two on the left, leaving the running back with the responsibility of block the right edge. Two blitzers come to the right side and due to the bad play call, there’s a free rusher against the quarterback. Sam Darnold still manages to throw the ball even with the defender on top of him.
This was a mistake by Zach Charbonnet, but again, the call is a full slide. This type of concept will often leave the running back against the edge rusher, and that’s not a favorable matchup. I only like this type of call when the quarterback moves to the opposite side. The fact that the snap ends with Sundell and Bradford on the ground is not a good sign.
Sam Darnold’s performance was a snapshot of the season as a whole: flashes of competence mixed with stretches of hesitation and poor timing.
Darnold, like the Seahawks’ offense, is inconsistent throughout the game. It seems he can take on multiple versions of QBs during the match, and often during the same drive.
On tape, there are plays where Darnold correctly diagnoses coverage, throws with anticipation, and delivers the ball on rhythm. Those snaps are immediately followed by delayed reads, unnecessary...
