Good morning, 12’s. Be sure to pour yourself an extra cup of coffee today, as I’m sure everyone stayed up late from last night’s thrilling Seahawks victory over the Washington Commanders to the tune of 29-26.
The defensive battle quickly turned into a quasi-shootout in the 4th quarter, as both teams exchanged touchdown drives. Fortunately, Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense were the last ones to have the ball, as they drove down the field in 0:50 seconds to set up the game-winning field goal.
The Seattle Seahawks remain tied with the San Francisco 49ers at identical 6-3 records, atop the NFC West. From Sunday, here are the top Studs and Duds:
No. 1 Stud - Boye Mafe
When you set a franchise record, you get to call yourself a Stud for the week. Such is the case for second year linebacker Boye Mafe, who is more than living up to Pete Carroll’s claims this summer as most improved player.
Mafe’s reign of terror for opposing quarterbacks continued on Sunday, as he has now set a franchise record for a sack in seven-straight games. Mafe now surpasses Michael Sinclair, who had the previous record of six.
On the year, Mafe’s quiet and steady production has him at seven sacks in 2023, a sharp increase from only three in his rookie season.
No. 1 Dud - Third down offense, once more
At this point, I might need to just start copy and pasting from previous week’s articles, as the Seahawks’ production has become quiet repetitive in this regard. Once again, third down continues to be the biggest issue for this offense. Against the Commanders, Seattle was a measly 4-for-14 on the key down, which is only a 29% success rate.
Sadly, this is somehow an an improvement from last week, when they were 1-for-12 in Baltimore. So… progress, I suppose?
The problem is, when you fail to extend drives, you allow opponents to remain in the game. Seattle had 11 more first downs, ran 13 more plays, had 133 more yards, almost a full yard more in average gain per play, and led in many other statistical categories. Yet it was only a three-point victory at the buzzer for the Seahawks.
No. 2 Studs - Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon
When you have opposing fan Twitter accounts tweeting content like this, you know your team has something special in the secondary:
What a dream it would be to have a CB duo of Witherspoon and Woolen
— Hugh (@CommandersPost) November 13, 2023
Devon Witherspoon continued his seemingly unstoppable campaign for Defensive Rookie of the Year with a crucial forced fumble. As quarterback Sam Howell took off, he was met by both Witherspoon and Quandre Diggs. But ‘Spoon did not let up, as he attacked the ball directly, ripping it out of Howell’s hands.
Then Woolen was right there, ready to pounce on it, creating a turnover for the Seahawks. While the offense wasn’t able to capitalize, it’s encouraging to see this defense remains opportunistic in key moments.
No. 3 Stud - Bobby Wagner
Bobby Wagner, the ageless wonder, continues to defy expectations for a linebacker at 33. The future first ballot Hall of Famer was once again arguably the best defender on the field against the Commanders.
Wagner was seemingly everywhere. He led the team with ten total tackles, recorded half a sack with Dre’Mont Jones, and after the sack, broke up a pass (one of his two defenses) on third down to prevent a conversion.
There isn’t much to say about Wagner that hasn’t been said countless times, but there is one that can never be said enough: it’s good to have Bobby back.
No. 4 Studs - Offense in the clutch
We’re going to give a collective Stud award to several key players, because it wouldn’t be fair to not mention them. The Seahawks offense has been stuck in the mud for the better part of a month, and was looking the same in the first half. But whatever adjustments were made at intermission worked, because they went back to being explosive in the last two quarters.
Quarterback Geno Smith looked like the Pro Bowler he was last season, setting a career-high mark for passing yards in a single game at 369, along with two touchdowns. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett both combined for 15 receptions and 190 yards, both coming in supremely clutch during the final two scoring drives. Running back Kenneth Walker III got the party started with his 64-yard touchdown reception, bringing him to 127 all-purpose yards for the afternoon.
No. 5 Stud - Jason Myers
The fifth and final Stud of the game has to go to No. 5 himself, kicker Jason Myers. There cannot be enough praise heaped on Myers for his remarkable afternoon, as he truly saved the Seahawks against the Commanders. Of Seattle’s 29 points, 17 were courtesy of Myers’ five field goals and two successful extra points.
In one of the best kicking days we’ve seen from a Seattle Seahawk, Myers likely cemented himself in the eyes of many 12’s as one of the best at the position in franchise history.
More Seahawks Wire stories
Richard Sherman comments on Geno Smith’s clutch finish
Ranking all 32 starting QBs by success rate going into Week 11
NFL Power Rankings: Eagles, Chiefs back on top, Seahawks up 2
Twitter reacts to another big game by rookie Devon Witherspoon
Reactions to Geno Smith’s up and down game all over the place
