Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Thursday, January 20 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
Seahawks Ranked Third In Rick Gosselin's Annual Special Teams Rankings
For more than four decades, football writer Rick Gosselin has compiled a detailed, comprehensive list of the NFL's top special teams units using a criteria of more than 20 categories like kickoff and punt return yardage, field goal percentages, opponent starting field position, and much, much more. Teams are assigned points for their standing in each category — one for best, 32 for worst.
Quality special teams play has always been an emphasis of Pete Carroll-coached football teams — the Seahawks actually finished second in Gosselin’s 2020 rankings. And as one of four teams to not suffer any "negative plays" on special teams in 2021, according to Gosselin — meaning no blocked kicks, turnovers, or return touchdowns — the Seahawks finished the season with the third-ranked special teams unit in the league, behind the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts. Across the 22 special teams categories, the Seahawks compiled a total of 276 points (Baltimore 241.5, Indianapolis 272). The Green Bay Packers finished worst in the league with a total of 482.5.
One category that helped push the Seahawks toward the top of the rankings was number of punts inside the 20-yard line, in which the Seahawks' Michael Dickson ranked first with 40 (Houston's Cameron Johnston finished second with 37). The Seahawks also ranked number one with an average kickoff starting point at the 26.8-yard line.
The Seahawks' 14 points scored on special teams — in the form of a Travis Homer onside kick recovery for a score, a Travis Homer touchdown run on a fake punt, and Rasheem Green's blocked PAT return for two points — was good for third in the league, with Dallas and Indianapolis tied for the top spot with 18.
The Seahawks also finished tied for number one in special teams takeaways with three along with Buffalo, Indianapolis, and San Francisco.
Listen To The Seahawks Insiders Podcast
Hosted by sideline reporter Jen Mueller and Seahawks Senior Digital Media Reporter John Boyle, the Seahawks Insiders podcast takes an in-depth look at each week's Seahawks game and analyzes the previous week's matchup. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.
Social Post Of The Day
Quandre Diggs made good on his preseason promise to intercept former teammate Matthew Stafford this season after it was announced the quarterback would be traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
More From Around The Web
At Seahawks.com, reporter John Boyle on the Seahawks signing DE Alex Tchangam to a reserve/future contract.
Todd Vandenburg of 12th Man Rising hands out final grades for Seahawks players and coaches.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times looks back at how Seahawks’ coordinator changes have worked out in the past.
Ty Dane Gonzales of Sports Illustrated looks at whether the Seahawks will pay D.J. Reed this offseason.
Congrats to Seahawks Dancer Pon, our Seahawks Dancer of the Day! Pon was selected for Week 17 vs. the Detroit Lions on January 2, 2022 at Lumen Field.
Pon and Cameron get ready in the locker room to take the field for our Pregame Performance.
Pon's all-time favorite Seahawks Player is Kam Chancellor.
Pon hearing the announcement that he is our Dancer of the Day at pregame rehearsal.
Pon is celebrated by his teammates after announcement is made.
Pon's favorite Seahawks memory is when we won the Super Bowl against the Broncos in New York.
This is Pon's 3rd season with the Seahawks Dancers.
Pon catching some air in our pregame performance.
Pon rallying the crowd as our team takes the field!
Pon is an incredible dancer and also choreographs on the side.
Pon is a member of Line 5 lead by Dance Captain, Vince.
