The old football adage of whoever controls the trenches wins the game will be the theme when the Seahawks look to start the season 3-0. The Seahawks managed a mere 46-yard rushing in last week’s 23-20 win over the Dolphins. Head coach Mike Macdonald vowed the team would work on its run game all week. Macdonald’s direct quote, “We have to move, guys,” pretty much said it all. An open competition at right guard between Anthony Bradford and Christian Haynes was added to the mix. It’s not that McDonald’s blamed the right guard position on the poor run game performance; it was one of those coach-speak messages. If changes need to be made, they will be made.
“We’re kind of still in this phase of working through an organized rotation and then playing it by ear as the game goes along. Both guys did a nice job, “said Macdonald during his Friday afternoon press conference. “Again, there are still some plays we’re chasing, but overall, I thought offensively, the guys executed at a high level throughout the week at the right guard spot.”
STOPPING THE RUN
On the flip side the defense will need to stop the run. The Seahawk’s defense is ranked sixth overall, allowing 270 yards per game. The pass defense led by Julian Love, Devon Witherspoon, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Riq Woolen is tied for second in the league, allowing 128.5 yards per game. The rush defense is ranked 21st and allowing 142.0 yards per game. The Seahawk’s front seven of Jonathan Hankins, Jarran Reed, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Boye Mafe, Tyrel Dodson, and Tyrice Knight have figured out how to play off each other when rushing the quarterback. Against the Patriots, the Seahawks had eight quarterback hits and three sacks.
LACK OF COHESION AT POINT OF ATTACK
Two issues are contributing to the Seahawk’s poor run defense. Inability to consistently set the edge and poor tackling due to a lack of discipline at the point of attack. The failure to consistently set the edge is mental and physical. Players have to quickly recognize the run and get to their run fits. Each defensive player must play true to the scheme and off their teammate. Good run defense also requires familiarity with each other. Middle linebacker and anchor of the defense, Dodson, says the team is trending toward the right decision.
“I’m not happy about last week, to be honest with you. The run game is how you make your bread and butter in the NFL, making the offense one-dimensional, and you have to do that by stopping the run. We’re making good progress, but the progress still has to be the number one thing, which is no one runs on us,” said Dodson. “ That’s the most disrespectful thing, in my opinion, is an offense running the ball on you. So we got to get that fixed and it starts with me. I got to up my game in the run defense, so I’m ready to do that this week.”
MIAMI RUN GAME
Despite a 31 to 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins had 139 yards, with running back De’Von Achane accounting for 96 yards. Achane had seven receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown. The Dolphins offense is ranked 8th overall, 20th in rushing and no.1 in passing. That was with Tua Tagovailoa, who is now sidelined with a concussion. Skylar Thompson will start at quarterback, and the Dolphins will look to the run game to take the pressure off Thompson, who is starting his first NFL game since 2022.
INJURY REPORT
TEAM ROSTER MOVES
The Seahawks placed Geroge Fant on the injured reserve list, signed tackle McClendon Curtis off the practice squad, filled his spot with Marquis Blair who was released on Wednesday Linebackers Patrick O’ Connell Tyus Bowser were elevated to Sunday game day roster .
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION
| 2024 REGULAR SEASON | SEAHAWKS | DOLPHINS |
| Record | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Total Yard Gained | 662 | 751 |
| Total Offense ( NFL Rank) | 331.0 (13) | 375.5 (8) |
| Rush Offense | 96.0 (23) | 110.0 (20) |
| Pass offense | 235.0 (6) | 265.5 (1) |
| Points Per Game | 24.5 (T9) | 15.0 ( T27) |
| Total Yards Allowed | 541 | 514 |
| Total Defense | 270.5(6) | 257.0 (4) |
| Rush Defense | 142.0 (T21) | 118.0 (15) |
| Pass Defense | 128.5 (T2) | 139.0 (5) |
| Points Allowed/ Game | 20.0 (T12) | 24.0 ( T23) |
| Possession Avg. | 27:58 | 34:45 |
| Sacked/Yds.Lost | 5/28 | 5/32 |
| Sacks Made/Yds.Lost | 5/30 | 3/32 |
| Interceptions By | 2 | 0 |
| Penalties/Yds | 12/91 | 16/153 |
| Punts/Avg | 10/51.0 | 5/49.2 |
| Turnover Differential | +1)T9) | -2(T24) |
2024 STAT LEADERS
| SEAHAWKS | DOLPHINS | |
| Rushing | Kenneth Walker III 103 (20-5.2-1) | De’Von Achane 120 (32-3, 8-1) |
| Passing | Geno Smith 498 (65-51-2-1 97-4) | Tua Tagovailoa 483 ( 62-40-2-3 78.9) |
| Receptions | Jaxson Smith-Njigba 14 (136-9. 7-0) | De’Von Achane 14 (145-10.4-1) |
| Scoring (Non kicker) | Zach Charbonnet 12 | De’Von Achane 12 |
| Sacks | Boye Mofe 2 | Three tied with 1.0 |
| Int | J. Love & R.Woolen 1 | n/a |
| Punting | Michael Dickson 51.0/41.9 net (1 in 20) | Jake Bailey 49.2/48.6 ( 4 In 20) |
| Kicking | Jason Myers 19 ( 5/5 FG, 4/4 PAT) | Jason Snaders 12 (3/4 FG,3/3 PAT) |
l
- Seahawks Rookie Camp Day 1 Highlights
- Exploring Jadarian Price’s Impact on Seahawks’ Offense
- Seattle Storm’s Preseason Breakdown: Stats and Highlights
- Mariners complete strong road trip but Matt Brash causes concern
- Key Takeaways from Seattle Storm’s Thrilling Preseason Match
Discover more from Cascadiasports.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
