Seahawks First Quarter Report Card: Offense
Somehow, the 2019 NFL season has already passed the quarter mark. While the Seahawks haven’t played their best football to this point, they’ve managed to open the season 4-1 for the first time since 2013 and sit in prime position to retake the NFC West.
On the offensive side of the football, turnovers and untimely penalties have been a bit of a problem for Seattle. Still, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's group has scored at least 27 points in four of the team's five games and ranks a respectable ninth in points per game thus far.
How has each of Seattle’s offensive groups performed through the first five games of the season? As a former teacher, it’s time to bust out the first progress report for 2019.
Quarterback
Grade: A+
Summary: Aside from maybe Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, no quarterback has been more productive and efficient than Wilson through the first month of the season. Surfacing as a legitimate favorite to win NFL MVP and potentially earn his first All-Pro selection, the eighth-year quarterback became the first player in the Super Bowl era to record over 1,400 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and no interceptions through his team’s first five games. He’s completed 73.1 percent of his passes, which would rank second-best all-time if maintained through an entire season behind only Drew Brees. Still a threat to make plays as a runner as well, coach Pete Carroll isn’t exaggerating when he says Wilson is the “best he’s ever been” and his dominant play has fueled Seattle’s first 4-1 start in six years.
Running Back
Grade: B
Summary: It’s been a tale of two seasons already for starting running back Chris Carson, who opened the season with just 158 total rushing yards and three lost fumbles in Seattle’s first three games, drawing the ire of the fan base. But since being relegated to the bench for most of the second half against the Saints in Week 3, the powerful runner has bounced back tremendously, racking up over 100 rushing yards in each of the past two games. Despite his slow start, he’s back on pace for over 1,200 rushing yards and already has caught 15 passes for 105 yards and two scores out of the backfield. In a reserve role, Rashaad Penny has missed two games due to a hamstring injury, but he did produce a 37-yard touchdown run against the Steelers and made a nice reception against the Rams on Thursday.
Receiver
Grade: B
Summary: If Tyler Lockett was still hovering under the radar after producing career-highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in 2018, he’s certainly not anymore. The fifth-year receiver has already broken his own personal single-game receptions record twice this year and seems to reel in highlight catches weekly. At his current pace, he’ll shatter last year’s “career” numbers with close to 100 receptions and 1,200-plus receiving yards. While he’s been inconsistent as expected, rookie DK Metcalf has lived up to the billing as an explosive downfield threat thus far, averaging a ridiculous 22.3 yards per reception through five games. Based on snap counts alone, it’s evident he’s Seattle’s clear-cut No. 2 receiver. Away from their top two receivers, the Seahawks have received marginal production from the rest of their receiving corps, though David Moore’s return should continue to provide the passing game a boost moving forward.
Tight End
Grade: A-
Summary: With Wilson as the obvious exception, no player has had a more rousing start than Will Dissly. Coming off a devastating knee injury that has ruined many careers, the second-year tight end hasn’t skipped a beat, emerging as Wilson’s favorite red zone weapon. He already has 23 receptions for 262 yards and scored four touchdowns during a three-game span from Week 2 to Week 4, building a strong case for NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. Seattle hasn’t had much production in the passing game from other tight ends this year, but the return of Luke Willson has already paid dividends on the field and in the locker room. In his first two games, he already has three receptions for 36 yards and his overlooked blocking ability helped Carson surpass the century mark against the Rams on Thursday.
Offensive Line
Grade: C+
Summary: Prior to the season, tackle Duane Brown hinted the Seahawks could have “one of the best” offensive lines in the NFL, but the group hasn’t lived up to the hype during the first quarter of the season. Injuries have certainly been a factor, as left guard Mike Iupati missed the entire preseason, center Justin Britt banged up his knee in the season opener, and right guard D.J. Fluker has battled through multiple injuries. Still, with four returning starters from last year’s playoff squad, giving up eight sacks in the first two games proved to be quite disappointing and run blocking wasn’t quite up to Seattle’s standards either. But over the past few weeks, while pass protection still has been inconsistent, the unit has shown significant improvements opening up running lanes for Carson and the unexpected performance from Jamarco Jones replacing an injured Fluker on Thursday boosts the line’s overall grades further.