The Seattle Seahawks pass defense played a quality game in Sunday’s 23-20 Week 2 overtime victory over the New England Patriots. Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett was limited to just 15 completions and 125 net passing yards. Mike Macdonald’s defense currently owns the league’s second-ranked passing unit as a result, one that’s allowing just 128.5 air yards per game through two completed weeks.
That doesn’t necessarily mean it was perfect. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was whistled for two defensive pass interference penalties. Macdonald would like further clarification from the league on the second call. The first one wasn’t exactly a cut-and-dry call either, but Macdonald took particular issue with the second whistled infraction, admitting the first one wasn’t a “smart decision” by Witherspoon.
“Want some more clarification,” Macdonald said on Monday about Witherspoon’s second DPI call.”Want to try to make sure we’re coaching the right things on that front. I chalked that one up to the cost of doing business,” Macdonald concluded, in a clip that’s been splayed with the actual play by The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar.
Mike Macdonald said Devon Witherspoon’s 1st penalty (a DPI) on Sunday wasn’t smart decision.
On this one, he said: “Want some more clarification…Want to try to make sure we're coaching the right things on that front. I chalked that one up to the cost of doing business.” pic.twitter.com/onqCztOUL9
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) September 17, 2024
They were the first two penalties of Witherspoon’s sophomore season after he played a clean game in the Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. Witherspoon was whistled for five penalties as a rookie in 2023, including just one multi-penalty contest. The former Illinois standout has already matched that lowlight.
Macdonald is correct to request clarification from the league. Once he and his staff receive clarity on where Witherspoon went wrong in the eyes of the referees, they can coach and develop the correct technique in practice. That’s the type of thinking that should ensure the Seahawks aren’t overly penalized this season.
