2024-09-16 07:55:02
- Boye Mafe and Leonard Williams keep making plays in the backfield.
After a strong performance in Seattle’s opener that included a sack, third-year outside linebacker Boye Mafe was once again a nuisance for an opposing offense. Mafe started his day with a third-down sack on New England’s first drive, and applied pressure on Jacoby Brissett throughout the game. Mafe also drew a holding call on a running play that helped kill a New England drive, and finished the game with xfive tackles, two quarterback hits, and a sack.
Williams, meanwhile, followed an opener that featured four quarterback hits with four tackles, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits, splitting the second sack with rookie Byron Murphy II to give the Seahawks a crucial third-down stop late in the fourth quarter, setting up a blocked field goal and the game-tying drive.
- Julian Love makes big plays on special teams too.
Julian Love came to Seattle as a free agent last year having played a ton of special teams with the Giants, with the Seahawks, he has played less in that phase of the game as he became an every-down player on defense.
Love, who had 12 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in the opener, still sees some playing time on special teams, however, and on Sunday he came through with a huge play, blocking a field goal attempt that would have given the Patriots a six-point lead late in the game, setting the Seahawks up to go tie the game with a field goal and force overtime.
- Missed tackles hurt the Seahawks a lot more than they did a week ago.
As defensive coordinator Aden Durde noted during the week, the Seahawks had several tackles in their first game, but because so many defenders were swarming to the ball, they rarely hurt Seattle. Facing a more physical rushing attack, however, it was a slightly tougher day for the Seahawks in the tackling department.
Led by bruising running back Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots rushed for 185 yards, with plenty of yardage coming after initial contact.
All of that being said, there were still a lot of positives from Seattle’s defense, which forced six three-and-outs and had 2.5 sacks, and most importantly, got a quick stop to open overtime, setting up the offense for a game-winning drive.
Overall, there’s a ton to like from what the Seahawks have done on defense through their first two games, but Mike Macdonald will no-doubt see plenty he wants to clean up when he reviews the film of this game.
