If NFL preseason games are learning opportunities then the Seahawks 24 to 14 loss to the Los Angels Chargers at the StubHub Center in Carson California provided two hours and 57 minutes of valuable teaching moments for the Seahawk coaches.
STEP FORWARD: OFFENSE MOVES THE BALL
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense picked up where it left off after its impressive performance in last weeks preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. While the Seahawks lost that game as well, the offense scored on its first possession of the game and was relieved of its duties after the impressive showing. Against the Chargers the Seahawks moved the ball downfield on each of its first three possessions.
Wilson played the entire first half and looked like he is ready for the start of the season despite the fact the Seahawks still have two more preseason games before the September 9th season opener at Denver. Wilson completed 13 of 21 passes for 193 yards and finished with a passer rating of 92.0
BACKWARD STEPS: TURNOVERS STALLED DRIVES
While the offense moved the ball downfield in explosive fashion on all three drives, two of the drives fetched two field goals and one drive stalled due to a Chris Carson fumble.
Seahawks rookie Tight End Will Dissly was called for an illegal block in the back on the Seahawks third play off the opening drive nullified a 23-yard touchdown run by Cris Carson.
“The lessons are so obvious,” said Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. “We got down in the red zone, we take a couple field goals when we’re right down the field, then we give the ball up inside the 1, which is a horrible thing to do. Then they wind up with the ball at the 20, it couldn’t be worse. So the opportunities to score are just totally there.”
STEP FORWARD: RECEIVERS
Jaron Brown and David Moore took full advantage of their opportunity to impress with Doug Baldwin( Knee) and Tyler Lockett( foot) sidelined due to injuries. Brown, an offseason free-agent acquisition grabbed two passes for 74 yards. His first catch a 29 yarder was on Seatle first play from scrimmage.
Moore, a 2017th seventh-round pick from East Central ( Ok) had the catch of the night, a 52 yarder he lept up and snagged between two Changer defensive backs. Moore finished with two receptions for 71 yards.
STEPS BACKWARDS: RIGHT SIDE OF THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Right Guard D.J. Fluker suffered a finger injury and left in the first quarter and was replaced by Jordan Roos who seemed to never really get in a rhythm. To make things worse, Right Tackle Germain Ifedi struggled with containing Charger defensive end Melvin Ingram III. Ifedi surrendered a sack and Wilson was hurried several times due to Ingram’s dominance of Ifedi.
