Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's happening today – Tuesday, Dec. 22 – for your Seattle Seahawks.
Sports Illustrated's MMQB Lists Seahawks' Defense Among Biggest Week 15 Takeaways
Something was off about the Seahawks' defense through the first eight games of the season. They faced injuries to Jamal Adams, Bruce Irvin and Marquise Blair, among others. The pass rush wasn't where it needed to be, so John Schneider went out and traded for Carlos Dunlap II. Perhaps most of all, continuity and more practice time in a year where there were limited offseason opportunities has turned the defense's fortune.
In the first eight games of 2020, the Seahawks allowed 30.4 points per game. Over the past six games, that number has dropped to 16.0 points per game to rank first in the league. The defense allowed over 240 passing yards in seven of the first eight games, but has yet to do so in the last six. We could go on and on, but Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer dove further into the topic in his weekly MMQB column.
Breer was especially impressed with Ken Norton Jr.'s defense when they halted Washington's final drive to secure a crucial road victory. Washington had won four straight games before the Seahawks came to town.
"Winning a game on defense was a good step for the Seahawks," Breer wrote. "A very scrappy Football Team had gotten itself in position to upend the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon – and had a first-and-10 from the Seattle 23 with 1:18 left, having driven all the way from its own 14 to get there, facing a 20–15 deficit. From there …
"First down: Dwayne Haskins takes a shot to the end zone to tight Logan Thomas, who's tightly covered by first-round pick Jordyn Brooks and veteran safety Quandre Diggs.
"Second down: L.J. Collier turnstiles Washington left tackle Cornelius Lucas for a five-yard sack.
"Third down: Carlos Dunlap manhandles right tackle Morgan Moses on a bull rush, driving him on to his back, then quickly dumping Haskins for a nine-yard sack.
"Fourth down: Benson Mayowa races past Lucas and immediately flushes Haskins from the pocket, and Rasheem Green bears down on him as he heaves the ball downfield. It harmlessly hits the turf, the Seahawks decline a holding penalty, the game's over.
"Obviously, we haven't seen a ton of this sort of vintage Seattle defense at all this year, and that's why I think this is a development that shouldn't be shoved under the rug. An excited Pete Carroll said postgame that, 'They answered the finishing challenge. They cranked it. We didn't have to do anything special, we didn't pressure, we just cut them loose, and it just all of the sudden took life.' Sure did."
Seahawks Host Drive-Thru Holiday Experience For Community Partners
The Seahawks understand how unprecedented this year has been, so the organization invited 300 employees from 12 of our community partners to a one of a kind drive-thru holiday experience. The experience was held as a way to thank employees for going above and beyond to serve our community this year.
While safely distanced in their vehicles, guests drove through an audio-visual lighting and laser display inside the Lumen Field Event Center Parking Garage. Blitz, the Seahawks Dancers and Seahawks staff volunteers were on-hand to distribute holiday gifts and treats. Corporate partners also generously donated to the cause, with gift cards from Starbucks and candy bars from Mars. Build-A-Bear also donated bears while local business Hot Chocolat, The Confectional and Black Magic Sweets provided special treats.
Social Post Of The Day
Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene died on Monday, his family confirmed. Greene is third in league history in sacks after playing 15 seasons with four teams (Rams, Steelers, Panthers, 49ers). Seahawks tackle Duane Brown paid tribute to the legend with a post on Twitter:
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle has more on the Seahawks’ seven Pro Bowlers.
Bob Condotta and Adam Jude of the Seattle Times answer four questions in their weekly Four Downs column.
Brady Henderson of ESPN wrote about D.J. Reed, whose breakout season was on full display in Sunday’s victory.
Joe Fann of NBC Sports Northwest responded to fan overreactions and determined if they were, in fact, overreactions.
The Seahawks invited 300 employees from 12 local non-profit organizations to a one of a kind drive-thru holiday experience inside the Lumen Field Event Center Parking Garage as a way to thank the employees for going above and beyond to serve our community this year.
