After Further Review: Final Grades for Seahawks versus Buccaneers
This is a delayed look back at the game from the past week. After further review, this is how each unit graded, free from the instant raw emotion of a Seattle Seahawks loss.
Quarterback
This is the first game in some time, maybe ever, that quarterback Russell Wilson actually looked a bit rattled. While Wilson ran for a season-high amount of yardage of 80 yards, he was also moving around in the pocket in situations – rare though they were – where there was no pressure. The majority of the time Wilson stepped back to pass, 51 percent to be exact, he was under pressure from the Tampa Buccaneers. Wilson obviously appeared to be sensing a rush on some occasions when there was no rush, which makes sense as he had every right to think that way. The offensive line was awful. Still, Wilson threw two interceptions, one can possibly be blamed on a poor route by receiver Paul Richardson and the second one that was purely Wilson’s fault as Wilson through into two-deep coverage. Wilson’s quarterback rating was 38.8, horrendous for him. Did the poor line play affect Wilson? Of course. But Wilson was also inaccurate for much of the game.
Grade: C-
Running Back
If one was to take away Wilson’s rushing yards, the running back group, led by Thomas Rawls’ 12 carries for 38 yards, was not productive. Overall, the unit ran 13 times for 38 yards. Also, the backs did not catch the ball, totaling one reception for four yards. Part of the issue was that later in the game, Rawls had a few decent runs but offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell did not stay with the running game. Had Bevell done so, the Buccaneers pass rush may have slowed a bit. Only due to this possibility do the running backs not rate an F.
Grade: D
Receivers
The Seahawks receivers were not creating any space against Tampa Bay. While some deep throws may have been open, Wilson missed his spot. Still, Richardson ran a poor route and then did not fight for the ball on a first half Wilson interception. Tight end Jimmy Graham had a massive late-game fumble. Doug Baldwin had seven catches, but for only 34 yards. Jermaine Kearse had one catch on five catches and dropped a potential first down catch. Kearse also had another offensive pass interference called against him, his fourth of the year. Finally, Tyler Lockett was targeted six times and caught the ball zero times.
Grade: D
Offensive line
What more can be said about how pitiful this group played on Sunday? The unit was completely overwhelmed by a Tampa Bay defense that ranked in the twenties in most defensive categories coming into the game. The line gave up six sacks, along with allowing Wilson to be pressured the aforementioned 51 percent of dropbacks. The line opened few holes for the backs. Of course, center Justin Britt did not play, but his replacement, Joey Hunt, was not the worst part of the group. For a unit that has been so inconsistent this year, this may have been their worst performance.
Grade: F
Defensive line
Michael Bennett did not play again, and Frank Clark had a second half 15-yard penalty, but the line was still fairly solid. Of course, while Tampa Bay’s defense produced six sacks of Wilson, the Seahawks had zero against Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston. Also, Tampa Bay was able to have several five-yards-and-longer runs in the second half against the Seahawks. Clark had two tackles for loss and was held in the Bucs end zone on a penalty that resulted in a safety. Would Bennett have made a difference against his old team? Yes. But Bennett did not play against the New England Patriots or Philadelphia Eagles either, and Seattle won both those games against good teams.
Grade: B-
Linebackers
K.J. Wright was great. He made a thundering tackle at the end of the first half that made the clock expire and did not allow the Buccaneers to run another play that could have resulted in a field goal. Wright made several other key stops that basically put an end to a Bucs drive. Bobby Wagner proved once again that he is either the best linebacker in the National Football League or one of the best, but still got beat on coverage a time or two. Overall, Wright and Wagner combined for 18 total tackles and two-and-a-half tackles for loss.
Grade: A
Secondary
The Buccaneers scored two touchdowns on their first two drives which ended up being the only points they would need to win the game. Winston was crisp on throws and Mike Evans was the best player on the field for the entire game. Evans beat corner Richard Sherman cleanly on a 23-yard touchdown pass. Sherman complained after the throw about Evans grabbing Sherman’s jersey, but in reality Sherman was doing the same to Evans. There was no call for pass interference either way and there should not have been. Winston made a great throw and Evans ran a great route. Still, with no Earl Thomas or DeShawn Shead, the secondary did well enough to allow the Seahawks to win the game, but the offense could not contribute.
Oh, and Kam Chancellor is still Kam Chancellor which means he is really good.
Grade: B
Kicking game
While the stats show that punter Jon Ryan averaged 47.1 yards-a-punt, he had two punts in a row that were fairly short. This led to the Buccaneers having decent field position. Though Tampa Bay did not score off the shorter punts, the Buccaneers were able to keep the Seahawks pinned deep in the own end of the field after good punts of their own. The Seahawks averaged starting drives on their own 21 yard-line and had four drives start within their own 20. Lockett was ineffective returning kickoffs and punts. The Buccaneers won the game versus Seattle for several reasons, and the kicking game – and Tampa Bay’s domination of it – was one major reason.
Grade: C-
Coaching
After the game head coach Pete Carroll took responsibility for the Seahawks loss and said he should have had the team more ready to play. Carroll is a great coach and the players like him. Apparent from the outset was the fact that Tampa Bay wanted this game more than the Seahawks wanted to win, however. The Buccaneers were more into every play and played with more inspiration. Maybe the Seahawks were without emotional leader Thomas. Maybe the Buccaneers have to fight for a playoff spot more. Either way, the Seahawks were lackadaisical and partly Carroll does have himself to blame. The good part of this for Seahawks fans is that Seattle does not take two weeks off from being not motivated to play; the game versus the Carolina Panthers on Sunday will be different.
Hopefully the offensive line will play differently as well.
Coaching grade: C
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