Three impressions from the Seahawks’ season-opening 28-16 win over the Colts.
INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — On Sunday, the Seahawks gave a complete effort for the most part.
Here are three first thoughts from Seattle’s 28-16 victory against the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener.
Shane Waldron’s offense (mostly) impresses.
That is the appearance of a Shane Waldron offensive.
On Sunday, the Seahawks’ 42-year-old first-year offensive coordinator made a good first impression, scoring touchdowns on their opening two drives of the season. On third-and-1, running back Chris Carson had a leaping 33-yard rush, accentuated by an unpleasant stiff arm from safety Julian Blackmon. Despite the fact that the offensive scheme had changed, quarterback Russell Wilson was as effective as ever, throwing three touchdown passes in the first half alone.
Two of them, predictably, went to dependable wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who swiveled in the end zone to catch a pop fly for a 23-yard touchdown and then centered under a famous Wilson rainbow for a 69-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. Wilson also scored a 9-yard touchdown on a crossing route to rookie tight end Gerald Everett.
ALSO, YOU CAN READ:
Broncos deliver convincing 27-13 win over Giants in the season opener
The Seahawk’s offense displayed everything its supporters had hoped for in the first half: short completions, tight ends in the passing game, long drives, and touchdown-scoring red-zone visits.
Except for a brief appearance by D.K. Metcalf, who didn’t make his first catch of the game until the third quarter. But it was later in Metcalf’s career that he made his most important contributions.
The offense again stagnated in the third quarter, punting twice before losing another classic Carson fumble, and then punting once more. Wilson and his teammates, on the other hand, rallied when it was most needed.
Seahawks defense also impresses (but not at first)
Ken Norton’s defense was exploited by a dubious Falcons offense for 450 passing yards and 68.5 percent completions in the Seahawks’ 2020 season opener.
On Sunday, Colts quarterback Carson Wentz completed 10 of his first 11 throws, and the home team opened the game with a 14-play, nine-minute, 19-second field goal drive.
Following that, the Seahawk’s defense regained its stride.
Seattle forced two three-and-outs (one of which Indianapolis lost a yard) and a fourth-down stop after Wentz mishandled a snap under center in the third quarter alone. A tenacious Seahawks pass rush totaled three key sacks and constantly made Wentz uncomfortable. Tre Flowers and D.J. Reed, the cornerback combination seen as the defense’s potential weak spot, held up admirably for the most part.
Wentz passed for 251 yards and two touchdowns on 25 of 37 passing attempts on Sunday
(and those numbers were inflated in garbage time). Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts was held to 56 rushing yards and 3.3 yards per carrying.
Seahawks find a way to finish
Isn’t Pete Carroll quoted as saying that the Seahawks can’t win games in the first, second, or third quarter?
Regardless, the Seahawks found a way to win on Sunday.
Early in the fourth quarter, on fourth-and-2 from the Seahawks’ 18-yard line,
defensive end Darrell Taylor burst past Indianapolis’ right tackle for his first career sack.
Wilson hit a wide-open Metcalf for a 30-yard gain on the next offensive drive,
then revisited the connection for a laser 15-yard touchdown along the seam.
Indianapolis scored a late-game touchdown, but the damage had already been done.
Wilson threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns on 18 of 23 passing, while Lockett had four receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Carson ran for 91 yards on 16 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per carrying.
A pair of fourth-quarter drives were the difference in a season-opening victory.
MORE, ASLO, AS WELL AS:
Broncos deliver convincing 27-13 win over Giants in the season opener
SOURCE:
Three impressions from the Seahawks’ season-opening 28-16 win over the Colts
