Alex Van Pelt: A Detailed Review of Seahawks' Road Win Over Patriots
Analyzing Seattle Seahawks' Victory
It was a close win for the Seattle Seahawks, just as we anticipated in the preview. There is a lot of room for improvement, but now is the time to fix those problems with a 2-0 win. Let’s take a look at what went well and badly in the Seahawks’ 23-20 overtime win over the New England Patriots. All data used in this article was taken from PFF.
Defensive Performance Overview
Watching the game, you might think that what I’m about to say is a lie, but it’s not. The Seahawks had fewer missed tackles against the New England Patriots (7) than in the game against the Denver Broncos (11). The reason for the impression that we were worse in this regard in the last game is simple. Making an analogy, Mike Macdonald’s defense “hunts” in a group. That is, the players position/move themselves in such a way that even if a tackle is missed, a nearby teammate will be there to help.
- In Pete Carroll’s defense, which was more similar to what we did against the Patriots, it’s a solitary hunt.
- The players have more freedom and chance to make a great play, but if a mistake is made, a high price will be paid.
Offensive Highlights
We are among the best in the league when it comes to pressuring the QB. We have 50 pressures in Weeks 1 and 2 with 29 and 21, respectively. Only 10% (5) of the pressures were converted into sacks. This could be the difference between a loss and a victory. Boye Mafe is so explosive that he can quickly reach the RB before the OL pulls can reach him.
- This victory demonstrates the good work of Geno Smith as a quarterback.
- However, the offensive line still needs improvement.
Improving the Offensive Line
Since the Russell Wilson era, the OL has been an issue. We’ve had some good units, but for the most part there was always something that needed tweaking. It’s 2024 and that hasn’t changed yet.
- Charles Cross has made a good leap in quality, but the rest of the unit is a concern.
- Thanks to the good work of Geno Smith, we came out on top against the Pats.
The Seahawks rank 31st in pass block win rate (38%) and 31st in run block win rate (65%). We need to bolster this area significantly for continued success.
Conclusion: Future Potential
The Seahawks have shown promise but obvious areas need honing moving forward. Alex Van Pelt’s insights provide great depth into how the team can enhance their playmaking abilities, especially as they gear up for tougher matchups ahead.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.