Field Gulls
You know the Seattle Seahawks put in a dominant defensive play when the offense can stay on the struggle bus all afternoon and it’s still a 26-0 win in the end. There was really no chance for the Minnesota Vikings from the minute Max Brosmer YOLO-flipped an early Christmas gift to Ernest Jones IV for the pick-six. They’d just gotten a takeaway down 3-0 with a chance for the lead or a tie and somehow ended up down 10-0.
Doesn’t it feel great to see a Seahawks defense make an overmatched opponent look feckless? That’s what we got on Sunday. There was barely a sliver of daylight for the Vikings to do anything offensively, such that the Seahawks offense didn’t really need to do a whole lot to make the win comfortable.
Let’s get to Winners and Losers to wrap up November.
Ernest Jones IV for All-Pro
First of all, it sounds like Jones was dinged up a tad but not super seriously in garbage time. Two interceptions, two passes defenses, 12 tackles (7 solo), and a house call that essentially slammed the door on the Vikings before the first half was over. Jones is one of the best linebackers in the league and he has five interceptions on the year, which is insane for an off-ball backer. He’s everywhere and doing everything at an elite level, which ought to net him All-Pro consideration.
The Seahawks defensive line is absurdly dominant
Another sack for Leonard Williams, another sack for Byron Murphy II, another one for DeMarcus Lawrence, a half-sack for Uchenna Nwosu, and basically no explosive runs allowed until garbage time. Maybe the Seahawks don’t have the best defense in the NFL—I’d be inclined to lean toward the Houston Texans—but how many defensive lines are you taking over this group?
And to think, Jarran Reed is still on IR.
DeMarcus Lawrence has discovered the fountain of youth
Ernest doesn’t get his pick-six without Lawrence sniffing out that 4th and 1 bootleg and getting the pressure on Brosmer. His hustle play to force that fumble on Aaron Jones was awesome. For good measure, Lawrence did get a sack on the next drive after the near-sack on the Jones touchdown. Lawrence has been as good as advertised and then some, which was the best case scenario given his age and the fact that he was coming off an injury-shortened season.
Drake Thomas is just ridiculously fun to watch
When No. 42 is coming downhill and you have the football, prepare for pain. Thomas has 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks on the season, all while not even getting more consistent time on the field until Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals. Kam Chancellor might have that ‘Bam Bam’ moniker, but Thomas might as well play like he has a club in his hand and he’s ready to swing at someone.
Ty Okada is on the spot again
Props to Ty Okada for starting after it looked...
