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3 Reasons For Optimism Amid Seattle Seahawks’ Recent Skid

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3 Reasons For Optimism Amid Seattle Seahawks’ Recent Skid


With a mini bye ahead of their Week 7 game, the Seattle Seahawks have major issues to address before they face the Atlanta Falcons. They’re on a three-game losing streak. But the team started the season 3-0.

It’s hard to win games in the NFL. This Seahawks team has proven it can do that, regardless of what the most recent performances have told us. The three games in 11 days aren’t an excuse to lose three in a row, but it is a factor.

What reasons are there to feel good about Seattle’s chances of bouncing back from its skid? Through six games, what has been the team’s strengths even in defeat? Here are three reasons for positivity regarding the Seahawks.

Linebacker Tyrel Dodson, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, nose tackle Johnathan Hankins and safeties Julian Love and Rayshawn Jenkins are the only four defensive players to start all six games thus far for the Seahawks. Injuries have plagued this team, and Love has missed time despite each of his starts.

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Riq Woolen, Leonard Williams, Boye Mafe, Byron Murphy II, Jerome Baker and Uchenna Nwosu are all key defenders or starters for Seattle who have missed some or extensive time. It hasn’t all been at the same time, either. Seattle has been forced to reshuffle its starting lineup constantly.

Through the first three games, the Seahawks were mostly healthy. The defense looked like a top-tier unit in conjunction with head coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme. Since then, the tight schedule only amplified Seattle’s issues — forcing players to get on the field even if they weren’t 100 percent.

Now, with a 10-day break, the Seahawks should get most of its starting lineup and premier backups back to health. If that’s the case, there’s a good chance the defense returns to form.

Despite losing the turnover battle 6-1 over its last three games, Seattle somehow still managed to keep itself within striking distance late in the defeats.

In the Seahawks’ three victories, the defense gave up 14.3 points per game and 248.7 yards per game. In the losses, the unit allowed 35.7 points per game and 430.7 yards. Seattle has scored at least 20 points per game but hasn’t done enough to crack the 30-point mark.

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If the Seahawks can become more consistent in closing out games when leading or completing late comebacks, the wins may start funneling back in. That’s much more difficult said than done, but Seattle is yet to be blown out, which is a positive.

Seattle’s kryptonite has been its ball security issues. From special teams fumbles to DK Metcalf fumbling in key situations, to Geno Smith’s six interceptions in six games. More often than not, those turnovers have resulted in points for the other team and have demoralized the Seahawks.

On the other hand, Seattle’s defense has forced just one turnover in the three losses (a 102-yard fumble return score versus the Giants). That unit has to be better creating opportunities and points for the Seahawks. Macdonald’s Baltimore Ravens led the NFL in takeaways (31) last season and turnover margin (+12) — a strength that has yet to translate to his scheme with Seattle.

This season, Seattle is tied for second-worst in the league at a minus-six turnover margin. A talent issue would be much harder to fix mid-season. A ball security issue can be reversed.



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Seattle, WA

Three trapped after car goes into ditch near Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum

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Three trapped after car goes into ditch near Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum


Firefighters are responding to a car that drove into a ditch near Lake Washington Boulevard East and East Foster Island Road on Friday, according to the Seattle Fire Department.

Crews arriving at the scene reported that three people are trapped inside the car.

Firefighters were working to stabilize the car and get everyone out safely. Crews worked to remove the roof of the car to get everyone out, according to fire officials.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area while emergency crews respond.

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The crash occurred in the area between the Montlake and Broadmoor neighborhoods, and traffic can be expected as emergency crews respond.

No additional information was immediately available.



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Seattle Kraken fall to Blues 5-1 in 2nd straight loss

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Seattle Kraken fall to Blues 5-1 in 2nd straight loss


ST. LOUIS (AP) — Dylan Holloway had a hat trick and added an assist in his return from a sprained ankle, Joel Hofer made 23 saves and the St. Louis Blues came off the Olympic break to beat the Seattle Kraken 5-1 on Thursday night.

St. Louis Blues 5, Seattle Kraken 1: Box score

Jordan Kyrou and Holloway — activated from injured reserve before the game — scored in a 23-second span early in the second period to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead.

Pius Suter added a goal and two assists to help the Blues end a three-game losing streak.

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Holloway completed St. Louis’ first hat trick of the season with 3:01 left, scoring into an empty net for his 11th of the season.

Kaapo Kakko tied it at 1 for Seattle in the first period, and Philipp Grubauer stopped 26 shots. The Kraken were coming off a 4-1 loss in Dallas on Wednesday night.

Kyrou made it 2-1 at 1:12 of the second off a feed from Pavel Buchnevich on a break. Holloway poked the puck past Grubauer off a scramble at 1:35. Suter scored at 1:56 of the third.

St. Louis’ Cam Fowler appeared in his 1,100th game, becoming the 10th active defenseman in the NHL to reach the mark.

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Up next

Kraken: Host Vancouver on Saturday night.

Blues: Host New Jersey on Saturday.

Seattle Kraken sign forwards Ben Meyers, Ryan Winterton to 2-year extensions



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Projected Lineup: Feb. 26 vs. Seattle | St. Louis Blues

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Projected Lineup: Feb. 26 vs. Seattle | St. Louis Blues


The St. Louis Blues are back in action as they host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday at Enterprise Center (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, 101 ESPN).

It will be the team’s first game since Feb. 4, and Jim Montgomery said the squad is ready to get back to work.

“Yeah, I think everybody is,” the head coach said. “I mean, you can tell. Guys were anxious today, but it’s like ‘enough of practicing against each other, it’s time to play a game.’”

Captain Brayden Schenn, who missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness, took the morning skate and is expected to play. Dylan Holloway (ankle), who has played just one game since Dec. 12, will make his return to the lineup as well.

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Robert Thomas has taken a leave of absence due to a personal matter. He’s expected to return to the team on Friday. 

Additionally Jack Finley will make his Blues debut. Finley – who is the son of former Blue Jeff Finley and was born in St. Louis – was claimed off waivers by the team on Feb. 7.

“It was a dream of mine to play for this team,” Finley said. “It was a big part of my childhood, big part of my family’s life. So definitely full-circle moment and proud to be a Blue.”

Jeff, who played defense for the Blues from 1998-2004, will be in the building Thursday night to see his son don the jersey he wore for so many years. 

“He was excited,” Jack said about his dad. “Maybe more excited than me. He loved this organization, loved this city… He’s excited to be back.”

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