All offseason, nationally speaking, the talk was about the L.A. Rams.All this week, those same so-called experts were all-in on the Arizona Cardinals after they
All offseason, nationally speaking, the talk was about the L.A. Rams.
All this week, those same so-called experts were all-in on the Arizona Cardinals after they beat the Chargers. Heck, even ESPN's Power Index prediction had Arizona at a better-than 50% chance to beat the Seahawks.
Try to say that out loud without a chuckle now.
In yet another defiance of people outside the Pacific Northwest doubting them, the Seahawks throttled Arizona 31-7 with backup quarterback Drew Lock and Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the charge, connecting on three touchdowns.
Let's look at some takeaways as the Hawks turn their attention to Week 3 at the Commanders next weekend.
The best backup in football
All week, we heard every Seahawks player say that Drew Lock is the best backup quarterback in the NFL. Certainly, there was visual proof to back this up, like that epic win over the Eagles in 2023 when Drew filled in for Geno Smith.
But Lock's performance Sunday left zero doubt.
The former first-round pick completed 19/26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns/0 interceptions.
His rating was a sizzling 139.1 and QBR at 90.
Lock, indeed, propelled this team to victory.
For most teams, having to turn to a backup quarterback means an uphill battle for the season.
For the Seahawks, it means a 2-0 start.
Certainly, Sam Darnold's status is still up in the air for that game next week with the Commanders. You always want QB1 under center, but if Sam is anything less than 100%, the Seahawks will be plenty confident in keeping the good times rolling with Lock.
The Dark Side Defense rolls, remains a catalyst
In two games, the Seahawks defense has allowed a combined 17 points.
Against the Cardinals? They allowed just 151 total yards and under 100 in both the ground and passing game.
These are all, fairly or unfairly, expected by 12s.
But there are two things specifically I want to point out here.
1- Once again, the defense forced a turnover to spark the offense. The Seahawks had just taken a 14-7 lead when Julian Love made an amazing catch to intercept Jacoby Brissett, a play that directly led to a field goal and 17-7 Seattle lead.
2. The defense took another threat talked about all week, Trey McBride, and held him in check. Yes, he caught 8 passes, but they only went for 41 yards or about five yards per reception.
This is a Cardinals team, mind you, that threw for 277 yards alone in week one. Not to mention the 116 they mustered on the ground.
The Seahawks held them to 81 in the air and 70 on the ground.
Utter domination.
To be expected, fair or not, sure. But never ceases to amaze just how effective this Seahawks defense is.
Next man up, the ground game is outstanding
The Seahawks are proving that while it certainly matters who is rushing the football, the results will almost certainly be good regardless of the ball carrier.
Remember, this team lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III this offseason. Next man up, Zach Charbonnet, is out still recovering from an ACL injury
First-round draft pick Jadarian Price picked up from there, averaging four yards per carry in this game. He had to leave the game with a chest injury.
Next man up.
Emanuel Wilson entered, took 21 carries for 92 yards to help ice the game for good.
Now Wilson was brought to town for that exact reason, he did great things when filling in for Green Bay in the past. But the idea that the Seahawks are able to continually churn out production like this despite losing players is uncanny.
A testament to the entire operation, really.
And just like we said with Drew Lock should he need to start against the Commanders, the Seahawks will be comfortable if Emanuel Wilson needs to shoulder more of the load in that game as well.
