But it shouldn't have been close.
Seattle's offensive line fared about as well as could be expected against the ferocious Rams D-Line. The unit created respectable running room for Marshawn Lynch, but pass protection remains remedial, so Russell Wilson took a beating--getting hit, tackled and sacked more times than I could count.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell isn't giving MangledRuss or the O-Line much help when he calls plays that require the quarterback to hold the ball in the pocket for anything more than two seconds. Where are the designed rollouts and screens to defeat overeager pass rushers and give our subpar offensive linemen a fighting chance? Why do we persist in the delusion that Jimmy Graham or Luke Willson can execute blocking assignments?
In the second half, we caught an encouraging glimpse of what our offense can do when we get in a groove of alternating between runs and quick passes.
Ultimately, we lost the game because of two overtime decisions that appeared motivated by a desire to exorcise demons from the previous season.
Last year in St. Louis, Seattle got burned by two trick plays on special teams. The decision to open the fifth quarter with an onside kick seemed like Pete Carroll trying to beat Jeff Fisher at his own game.
Given the new overtime rules, the decision was not indefensible: Success, while improbable, almost guarantees victory, while failure forces your defense to hold them to three points (ours did). But you'd better score a touchdown or tie it up on the next drive to keep the game alive.
Which brings us to the last play of the game: 4th and 1. Everyone in the building was expecting us to hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch. Given how poorly our O-Line matches up against the Rams D-Line, the outcome was unsurprising.
If we had to run, then having Wilson take the snap under center with a fullback would have at least complicated matters, forcing the defense to consider the quarterback sneak and fullback dive as well as the handoff to Lynch.
If we had to line up in the read option, then the play was fake to Lynch and throw to Graham.
The Seahawk defense looked decent, but not dominant. Three forced fumbles is a good day at the office; the corner blitz by Cary Williams for the sack and the scoop & score was particularly inspired.
It appears that the Rams have found their quarterback. But if we let Nick Foles throw for 297 yards and score two touchdowns against us, then what will Aaron Rodgers do to us next week?
It seemed like Michael Bennett was on the field an awful lot again. I thought his every-snap duties were forced by injuries last year. I thought we had the depth to spell the man now.
When you have to play again on Thursday, the last thing you need is for Sunday's game to go into overtime.
Rest and heal, men.
And the players would say, "If we executed the way we're supposed to, we win the game."
ReplyDeleteFor me, I see this loss a direct result of Kam Chancellor's absence. This game isn't even close if he's in the backfield; it certainly doesn't go to over-time.
The Seahawks are going to need to play better without him (assuming he continues to hold-out). Unfortunately, it might take several games for Bailey to catch up to speed with what he needs to do.
Coaches can't expect players to execute the improbable. Asking our O-Line to block the Rams D-Line when St. Louis knows what play we're running is not realistic.
ReplyDeleteYou're right: With Kam in the lineup, that game isn't even close.