While much of the NFL bumbled through miscues that typically permeate preseason football, the Seahawks’ defense and special teams were all highlights and hijinks Saturday at CenturyLink Field.
Boosted by CB Brandon Browner’s 106-yard return via fumble recovery and a 107-yard kick return from former University of Washington star Jermaine Kearse, Seattle pounced on the Broncos in the first half of their second preseason game for a 40-10 win.
“When I looked up I saw nothing but green ahead of me,” Browner said afterward of the touchdown. “I only saw offensive linemen. I’ll always take my chances against offensive linemen.”
The defense forced three first-half turnovers, which offset Denver outgaining Seattle in total yards, 209-173. The offense, for the second week in a row, had no turnovers.
Some traditions continued: CB Richard Sherman (excessive celebration) and OL Breno Giacomini (unnecessary roughness) picked up personal fouls. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll threw his challenge flag (and won) in the second quarter.
QB Russell Wilson and most of Seattle’s first-team offense played the entire first half. Wilson fumbled the snap before finding Kearse for a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, then hit TE Sean McGrath on a 3-yard strike with 37 seconds remaining in the second.
Offense feeling better
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell expressed disappointment with how the first-team offense performed last week during a 31-10 win against the Chargers. They looked much different operating against Denver’s first-team defense.
He probably could have done without the 12 penalties that cost 107 yards — six of which lost 65 in the first half.
“It’s lousy to play football like that,” Carroll said. “I don’t like it at all.”
But, they made up for it in other ways.
Wilson completed eight of 12 passes and finished with 127 yards and two touchdowns while RB Robert Turbin rushed nine times for 35 yards. The first-team offense also had a trio of three-and-outs, but for the second consecutive week owned the turnover battle (4-0).
“The most important factor that’s happening right now is that we’re not giving the football up,” Carroll said. “That’s how we intend to play forever.”
Kearse cruises
Kearse, in his second season, entered training camp as one of the players who could most benefit from an injury to WR Percy Harvin, He seized the opportunity since Seattle’s expensive off-season acquisition underwent hip surgery in early August. The Lakewood native’s one catch on Saturday went for a touchdown, and his 107-yard kickoff return, including a stout stiffarm, was made more impressive by this fact: He never returned a kick during his college career.
“It was nice. I haven’t returned a kickoff since high school,” Kearse said.
Carroll said he opted to give the wideout the chance to return kicks instead of CB Jeremy Lane because offensive players are generally more comfortable with taking a hit and holding on to the ball. Earlier in the week, Kearse told Wilson he would return one for a touchdown if he received the opportunity.
“He took advantage of it,” Carroll said. “He did about as well as you could do cranking out your first opportunity. Beautiful.”
Nickel and…
Seattle opened the game in nickel coverage, with five defensive backs, and forced a three-and-out, as Manning completed just one of three passes. And since DE Cliff Avril and DE Chris Clemons are working their way back from injury, that meant Benson Mayowa, an undrafted free agent from the University of Idaho who began training camp as a fourth string defensive end, made the start.
In 2012, his Vandals finished 122nd in the nation in points allowed, surrendering an average of 42.4 points per game. Based on Mayowa’s first career start, he wasn’t part of the problem.
Mayowa and DE O’Brien Schofield recorded two of Seattle’s four sacks in the first half.
Still hurting
Seattle’s defense wasn’t near full strength, and it was reflected at times in the way Manning calmly marched the offense down the field. But three turnovers in the first half ultimately thwarted two potential scoring drives. Among those missing: WR Percy Harvin, WR Sidney Rice, DE Cliff Avril, TE Zach Miller, DT Jaye Howard, DT Tony McDaniel, RB Christine Michael, DE Bruce Irvin, LB Korey Toomer, DT Greg Scruggs and OL James Carpenter.
Against the spread
Carroll improved to 21-9-1 all-time against the spread in preseason football games. Vegas oddsmakers had installed Seattle as four-point favorites against the Broncos. The Seahawks have won seven consecutive preseason games back to Sept. 2, 2011, when they won 20-3 in Seattle against the Oakland Raiders.
Williams again impressive
On a night filled with spectacular touchdowns, WR Stephen Williams might have notched the most impressive play from scrimmage. His 38-yard dive-and-catch came late in the third quarter courtesy of backup QB Tarvaris Jackson. Williams laid out, sneaked both hands under the ball while managing to avoid the touch of two Broncos defenders, before diving backwards into the end zone. He led Seattle with two catches for 45 yards.
9 Comments
It’s only the preseason, the skeptics say, but these guys are all out there giving their best – especially because they’re trying to win the annual game of musical roster spots. After two more tries, almost half of the guys currently wearing NFL uniforms will have to figure out how to make a living with the other stuff they learned in college. Nobody would call the Seahawks play in the first two preseason games “midseason form,” the Seahawks, without even bringing their “A” game have so far dope-slapped two NFL franchises – mostly with special teams and second stringers and sleepers (Stephen Williams, Jermaine Kearse).
I predict it’s going to be a really fun season to be a Seahawks fan. Last year was pretty good; this year should be a blast.
Health permitting, you’re right. This team has enough young talent to bust a move this year. After this year, young guys start to earn large coin and cap flexibility shrinks. Harder to sustain.
I’d put the over/under for wins at 11 and take the over, though just barely. Their road schedule is brutal.
Is it just me or does Russell seem to be air mailing a lot of passes? Seems like he is overthrowing receivers more this year than last preseason and throwing high. Probably nothing, but if it is not… could be a problem. Anyone notice if his arm action has changed at all?
He had four incompletes Moose. Relax.
I am not going chicken little here, just an observation over the two preseason games. The majority of his incomplete passes have been over thrown, and it has been observed that Wilson worked on his lower body quite a bit in the off season, which may result in a stronger throwing motion. If you say it is all good, you would know better than I, I don’t cover the team. Glad to hear my concern is unfounded. I will admit that the hype makes me nervous; it is a long NFL season and things happen. Don’t want to count those eggs just yet…
Moose,
I was there early enough to see Russell throwing passes in skelly drills. There wasn’t a route where he didn’t hit his receiver in stride.
Brady Quinn, on the other hand — yikes!
At first I was worried the team might be showing too much of their game plans and teams might exploit that during the season but I think they’re just playing hard. I loved that they made Peyton Manning show frustrating in an exhibition game.
This was a lot of fun to watch. I miss playing in the AFC West. Even now I don’t get as excited for division rival games as I did before the switch. I almost thought I saw Rusty Tillman running the sidelines along with Jermaine during his TD run!
Most amusing exhibition game I can remember.
AFC West is long gone, J.