Geno SmithSteph Chambers/Getty Images
After yet another home setback, this time against the rival San Francisco 49ers in primetime, there will be justifications given in Seattle. Pledges made. Reminder that even after the loss, the team is 3-3 and tied for first place in the NFC West.
Peel all that away though, and you’re left with one sobering reality—these Seahawks aren’t any better or worse than last year’s team. Their 3-0 start said much more about who they played than what they are. The last three games have told us what they are.
Moving the ball isn’t a problem—Seattle has piled up the yards, including over 500 in a Week 4 loss at Detroit. But all the yards ever yarded does little good if a team commits backbreaking turnovers like the Seahawks three giveaways in a 36-24 loss to the 49ers.
The defense? The defense is a mess. One week after letting rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the New York Giants run all over them, the Seahawks surrendered 228 yards on the ground to San Francisco—despite the Niners losing lead back Jordan Mason for half the game.
Seattle entered Week 6, allowing 311 yards a game, but that’s another myth born of early tomato cans. Against the Niners? 483 yards allowed—the second week in a row giving up at least 420.
Last year’s Seahawks weren’t a bad team. They won more games than they lost. But they also missed the postseason.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Read the full article here