Four Things Learned or Re-Confirmed about the Seattle Seahawks from Saturday’s Loss to the Atlanta Falcons
The Seattle Seahawks lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. Here are four things that we learned or were confirmed of from the game.
1. Earl Thomas is vital to the Seahawks ever getting back to the Super Bowl
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan took advantage of several middle-deep passes over the middle against the Seahawks on Saturday. This area would have been where Thomas would normally roam. Any reader can find the easy facts. Possibly the most important statistic is this: This season the Seahawks were 3-4 without Thomas and 8-2-1 with Thomas. The way the Seahawks scheme on defense there is simply no answer on Seattle’s roster for a replacement for Thomas, and maybe there is not one in the whole of the National Football League. On one play in the third quarter against the Falcons, Ryan through a twenty-yard seam pass over the middle that fell incomplete. Safety Steven Terrell watched the play develop in front of him and, fortunately, the ball fell to the ground eight yards ahead of him. He did not move during the whole sequence. Thomas would have come up into the play, and may have had a good chance at intercepting the pass. Thomas coming back completely healthy next year is an absolute must for the Seahawks to move deeper in the playoffs than they have the last two years.
2. Germain Ifedi made a bigger difference than we thought
The offensive line received quite a bit criticism this season, and that criticism was mostly deserved. Ifedi may have been a bit underrated, however. Did he struggle with inconsistency this year? Of course, but he was rookie. Ifedi late in the year seemed to be evolving, though, especially as a run-blocker. He was very good in that facet against the Detroit Lions. Once Ifedi left with injury in the Falcons game, the team was no longer able to run the ball. This probably was not all due to Ifedi going out, but Seahawks fans should definitely be aware of what a difference he made this season. In fact, while the line has not been good this year one could also have hope that next year the offensive line could be much better. The tandem of center Justin Britt and Ifedi was beginning to prove to be formidable.
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3. The Seahawks are extremely thin in the secondary
The Falcons are really good offensively, of course, but for most of the game Atlanta was facing an extremely weakened Seahawks secondary. Thomas was out, of course, but DeShawn Shead also was injured in the third quarter. Shead may have suffered an ACL injury and is a restricted free agent; whether Shead returns to Seattle will remain in question for quite some time. Cornerback Jeremy Lane also missed some time in the Falcons game with cramps. The replacements, Steven Terrell, DeAndre Elliott, among others, do not seem to be long-term solutions. Seattle relies more heavily on secondary scheme and communication within a unit where the players are used to playing together every game than almost any other team. Thomas should be fine for the start of next season; Shead may not and may not even be with Seattle. Finding a starting group early in training camp and staying healthy has to happen for Seattle to not only get off to a good start in 2017 but being prepared for a playoff run as well.
4. Paul Richardson can make a huge difference, when healthy
Think of the possibility of starting 2017 with a receiving unit that consists of a healthy Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett and Richardson. We learned this year how quickly injuries can impact the hopes of the Seahawks, but thinking optimistically Seattle should remain healthier next season. Richardson showed strong hands and excellent speed in the last two games of the year. Imagine Richardson and Lockett on the field at the same time out wide and Baldwin inside.
For that matter, imagine those receivers healthy along with an improved offensive line. Now imagine a season that starts with a healthy Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise. Now imagine the possibilities that the Seahawks offense might have next season. 2017 starts in September. Good things will happen.
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