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USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Kole Musgrove

Studs and Duds from Seahawks 37-27 win over Panthers

Seahawks Panthers Seattle Jake Bobo Adam Thielen Devon Witherspoon Jarran Reed Andy Dalton Christopher Mast Geno Smith

The Seattle Seahawks keep up their winning ways, claiming a second straight victory. This time, the Carolina Panthers were their latest victim.

Seattle matched their point total from last week, 37, but under much different circumstances. Instead of a dramatic finish in overtime, the Seahawks had the game wrapped up well into the 4th quarter, giving fans a much-needed respite from wild finishes.

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In a game like this, which was less competitive than 37-27 might suggest, there are going to be more Studs than Duds.

No. 1 Stud - The 12th Man

(Photo by Christopher Mast/Getty Images)

Oh yes, we are giving some well-deserved love to the loudest fans in the NFL. On the day the Seahawks honored their Super Bowl XLVIII team, the 12th Man reminded the league why they made Lumen Field (then-CenturyLink) so difficult to visit in 2013.

The 12’s roared out a vintage performance, forcing an astonishing EIGHT false starts on Carolina – including three in the fourth quarter alone!

Head coach Pete Carroll was ecstatic about the Seattle faithful, and quarterback Geno Smith even credited them with the win.

Geno credits the 12th Man for the win today pic.twitter.com/cb8x11nZfH

— Kole Musgrove (@KoleMusgrove23) September 25, 2023

No. 2 Stud - Devon Witherspoon

The Seattle Seahawks very well could have yet another young star at cornerback developing for them. Through two weeks, the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NFL draft is showing why Seattle bucked the “consensus” pick Jalen Carter and chose Witherspoon instead.

Witherspoon led the team with 11 total tackles, and recorded two pass breakups. It seemed as if Witherspoon was all over the field. No matter where the play was developing, Witherspoon always found a way to be involved.

No. 3 Stud - Jarran Reed

The return of Jarran Reed back to Seattle is already paying huge dividends for the Seahawks defensive line. Reed is picking up as if he never even left, and it’s showing.

Reed has been a revelation along Seattle’s defensive front. Against the Panthers, he was making life miserable for quarterback Andy Dalton. Reed logged 1.5 sacks, hit Dalton three times, had a tackle for a loss, and even defended a pass.

No. 1 Dud - Anyone defending Adam Thielen

Before the Seahawks drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba, I wrote about how the team should consider signing recently released wide receiver Adam Thielen to give further depth to their wide receiving corps. Instead, Thielen signed with the Panthers, and came back to haunt the Seahawks.

Not only did Thielen prove he has more than enough gas left in the tank, he absolutely torched Seattle’s secondary. Thielen hauled in 11 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown. If he were a yard further, he would have had another touchdown, as his 24-yard reception to end the third quarter ended at the goal line, setting up a touchdown for Carolina to start the fourth.

No. 4 Stud - Jake Bobo

New rule for Studs and Duds: if you catch your first career touchdown, automatic entry as a “Stud” for the game. Such is the case for preseason superstar and fan-favorite wide receiver Jake Bobo. Undrafted out of UCLA, Bobo performed more than well enough in August to earn himself a roster spot with the Seahawks.

On Sunday, Bobo rewarded his team with his first career touchdown. Although it was Bobo’s only reception of the afternoon, he certainly made it count. Trust me when I say the 12th Man loved seeing Bobo’s first score.