CB Richard Sherman and Blitz were all smiles following the Seahawks 58-0 win over Arizona. (US Presswire) |
The Seahawks didn't do much wrong in their 58-0 rout of Arizona on Sunday and this week's grades reflect that.
Offense: A-
Last week, Russell Wilson carried the Seahawks to a 23-17 overtime win over Chicago. This week, Wilson sat back and let the team carry him. Running backs Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin both went over 100 yards rushing in the game, marking the first time in seven years that the Seahawks had multiple 100-yard rushers in the same game. Seattle's 284-yards rushing against Arizona was the fourth highest total in franchise history. The Seahawks also had their first 100-yard receiver of the season only it wasn't a wide receiver who reached 100-yards. It was tight end Anthony McCoy, who caught three passes for 105 yards, including a team long 67-yard catch in the first quarter. The minus in the A-minus comes from Wilson's second quarter interception. It was Wilson's first pick at home this season and just might have been the only mistake Seattle made on the day. Wilson finished 7 of 13 for 148 yards and a touchdown before being relieved by backup QB Matt Flynn when the score reached 45-0. Previous game's grade: A
Defense: A+
What Seattle did to Arizona on Sunday was the defensive equivalent of a pitching perfect game in baseball -- or for you bowlers out there, it's like rolling a 300. The Seahawks defense forced eight turnovers, outscored the Cardinals themselves 7-0 and held Arizona to just 154 total yards. They sacked the Cardinals two-headed QB combo of John Skelton and Ryan Lindley a combined three times. Arizona's leading rusher, William Powell, ran for all of 20 yards in the game. CB Richard Sherman and LB Bobby Wagner each caught more passes from Skelton than Arizona star WR Larry Fitzgerald. Sherman and Wagner both had two interceptions in the game, while Fitzgerald had one catch for two yards. In 11 pass attempts to Fitzgerald, Arizona's quarterbacks combined to go 1 of 11 for two yards with three interceptions. Previous game's grade: C
Special teams: A
Kicker Steven Hauschka scored more points on Sunday (16) than eight entire NFL teams. Hauschka was 3 for 3 on field goals and 7 of 7 on extra points. Kickers are expected to score points though, linebackers who play on special teams aren't, but don't tell that to Malcolm Smith. Smith blew the game open in the second quarter when he covered a muffed punt in the end zone for a touchdown that put the Seahawks up 31-0. Finally, lets not forget about Jon Ryan, who's three punts on the day included a 51-yarder and a 29-yard punt that pinned the Cardinals on their own 9-yard line. Previous game's grade: A
Coaching: A
The Seahawk coaching staff made small decisions that paid off against the Cardinals. For the second week in a row, Malcolm Smith started at linebacker. Last week Smith filled in for an injured Leroy Hill, this week, Hill was active, but Smith still started. Smith had a tackle for a loss against Arizona, that one TFL matches Hill's total for the entire season. The defensive game plan also didn't have Seattle's best cover corner -- Sherman -- shadow Fitzgerald. The strategy worked as the secondary combined to limit Fitzgerald to one catch for two yards. The coaches also get high marks for feeding the beast. With Marshawn Lynch in full beast mode, coach Pete Carroll decided to pull the reins in on Wilson and let Lynch go wild. Lynch ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns on only 11 carries. Previous game's grade: A-
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.