Seattle, WA

Key Matchups to Watch as Seattle Seahawks Battle New England Patriots in Week 2

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2024

Key Matchups to Watch as Seattle Seahawks Battle New England Patriots in Week 2

In a somewhat unlikely contest between 1-0 teams, the Seattle Seahawks will hit the road looking to stay undefeated in the Mike Macdonald era with a physical matchup against the New England Patriots on tap in Week 2.

Which matchups will have the greatest influence on who snags an early season victory in Foxboro? Here are six positional battles to watch at Gillette Stadium on Sunday:

–Seahawks tackles Charles Cross and Stone Forsythe versus Patriots edge defenders Keion White and Josh Uche: Amid struggles for the entire offensive line in the season opener, Cross stood out as a lone bright spot, allowing only one pressure and dishing out several quality blocks to spring Ken Walker III in the run game against Denver. The third-year tackle will be tested in Foxboro by two vastly different rushers in White and Uche, however. Built like a defensive tackle at 285 pounds, White has impressive power and length to go with surprising quickness at his size, allowing him to collapse pockets both as a bull rusher and using his long arms for effective counters. He generated 2.5 sacks and three quarterback hits in Week 1 while seeing action at multiple alignments up front and may require help from tight ends to keep him from wreaking havoc on Sunday. As for the 6-1, 245-pound Uche, speed and quickness are his calling card, and he’s only two years removed from an 11.5-sack season for the Patriots, which could pose major problems for the 6-8 Forsythe filling in for an injured George Fant on the right side and trying to block him.

–Seahawks edge Boye Mafe, defensive tackles Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy versus Patriots left tackle Vederian Lowe and left guard Michael Jordan: While the Patriots may have an advantage with White and Uche going against an undermanned tackle group, they also have their own offensive line injuries to be concerned about that could dramatically impact their ability to move the ball on Sunday. Lowe didn’t start Week 1 coming off an injury, but he quickly came in for Chukwuma Okorafor in the first half and had his share of issues, allowing three pressures and a quarterback hit on just 23 pass blocking reps. Next to him, Jordan fared okay in pass protection with two pressures allowed, but he wasn’t able to consistently create push in the run game starting in place of an injured Sidy Sow. The Seahawks have far better interior talent and depth than the Bengals did with Williams, Murphy, and Jarran Reed all eager to feast on a practice squad guard, while Lowe surrendered six sacks and nearly 40 pressures last year, which should have Mafe and Derick Hall licking their lips ready to go into attack mode hunting down Jacoby Brissett.

–Seahawks receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba versus Patriots cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones: For a second straight week, Metcalf will be pitted against a quality young corner in Gonzalez, who allowed three catches on three targets for only 15 yards against Cincinnati last week. The former Oregon standout offers good size at 6-1, 205 pounds and ran a sub-4.40 40-yard dash at the combine two years ago, so he has the physical traits to match up against a freakish athlete such as Metcalf. Still, he isn’t near as polished as Pat Surtain II, and the veteran receiver should have his share of opportunities to make plays against the young defender on Sunday. Now in his ninth season, Jonathan Jones has been around the block for a while and squaring off against Lockett will present a fun contest between wily veterans who consistently get the job done. In the slot, Marcus Jones has been rock solid since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2022, allowing only one touchdown in coverage. He’s just 5-8, however, and the 6-1 Smith-Njigba could create a significant size mismatch for the former Houston star that the Seahawks can capitalize on in the middle of the field.

–Seahawks linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker versus Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson: Seattle held its own against Javonte Williams and Denver’s stable of backs last week, allowing 64 combined rushing yards to the three backs who received carries in the opener. The defense did that with Dodson and Baker being active, however, and both veteran linebackers received questionable designations with injuries on Friday, creating questions both about their availability and their effectiveness if they do play in Foxboro. Under the assumption each player suits up and starts, Dodson and Baker will need to bring their hard hats bracing for the bruising 227-pound Stevenson, who produced an NFL-high 118 yards after contact last week and forced a whopping 10 missed tackles as he put the Patriots offense on his back. New England also has a dangerous change of pace option to throw at the two linebackers in coverage in the speedy Gibson, who has nearly 1,300 career receiving yards with seven touchdowns. If the Seahawks have to play rookie Tyrice Knight and/or untested second-year defender Drake Thomas, this could be a major advantage for the home team.

–Seahawks tight ends Noah Fant, AJ Barner, and Brady Russell versus Patriots linebackers Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai: Tight ends weren’t a big part of Seattle’s passing attack in Week 1 with Fant, Barner, and Russell combining for just two catches and 11 yards. But while Bentley and Tavai are capable downhill tacklers and offer some pass rushing ability as blitzers, neither player brings above average athletic traits to the table as sideline-to-sideline defenders, and both can be liabilities in coverage. Last week, the Bengals targeted Bentley seven times and completed seven passes for 62 yards against him. As for Tavai, he has allowed 78 percent of targets against him in his career to be completed while allowing six touchdowns. If offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb can scheme up one-on-one situations for Fant and the rest of his tight ends against New England’s off-ball linebackers, including on play action with an effective run game, the Seahawks should have chances to attack the middle of the field and potentially down the seam with their receivers drawing a ton of attention on the outside.

–Seahawks safeties Julian Love and Rayshawn Jenkins versus Patriots tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper: Without prime Randy Moss, Wes Welker, or Julian Edelman walking through the door, the Patriots lack proven weapons on the outside and their best weapons in the passing game reside at tight end in Henry and Hooper, two experienced vets with soft hands who can create downfield and after the catch. In the past, the Seahawks have had major issues defending tight ends, though the Broncos only got two catches for 12 yards from that group last week. Hooper led the Patriots with 31 yards on two catches and Henry added two catches for 18 yards, and though those are far from impressive stat lines, both players have extensive track records of doing damage as chain movers and in the red zone. The onus will fall on Love and Jenkins, who each will see action matched up against tight ends on Sunday, to prevent the two veterans from consistently providing a security blanket for Brissett and allowing the home team to stay on schedule.

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Seattle, WA

What does the Buccaneers beating the Panthers mean for the Seahawks?

Published

10 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

What does the Buccaneers beating the Panthers mean for the Seahawks?

We’ll have to wait one more day to learn who takes the NFC South crown.

The Buccaneers, losers of seven of their last eight coming into today, were able to piece together a tough, 16-14 win in bad weather against the Panthers. It was a calming three hours for the Bucs and their fans, who had seen their team go from theorized Super Bowl contender in the early months of the season to bottomless freefall.

Had the Panthers found a way to win today, the NFC South, and the #4 seed in the NFC, would have been determined. Instead, we’ll have to wait another day, as a matchup between the two NFC South rivals who are eliminated from the postseason entirely will now determine everything. Certainly ironic, but great for drama.

The New Orleans Saints travel to the Atlanta Falcons tomorrow to wrap up their respective seasons, and while they’re not playing for much more than pride, both the Buccaneers and Panthers will be watching with great interest. If the Falcons win, today will prove to be little more than a minor setback for Carolina, and they’ll win the division regardless.

However, should the Saints get the road upset, everything gets flipped. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were seemingly skidding towards a shocking early offseason, would be awarded the division on tiebreakers. Their Week Eight 23-3 victory over New Orleans, at the time seemingly innocuous, would end up salvaging their playoff spot.

Both Atlanta and New Orleans are on hot runs right now, the Falcons winners of three straight and the Saints on a four game streak. It’s a surprisingly compelling game given that both teams are guaranteed losing records on the season.

And this is very relevant to the Seattle Seahawks, because depending on tonight’s result in San Francisco, the NFC South division winner will either possibly, or definitely, be the team they play in their first playoff game.

If Seattle prevails tonight and takes the top seed in the NFC, it is entirely possible that their Divisional Round opponent is whoever comes out on top here. As the top seed, they play the lowest remaining seed, which would be either Carolina or Tampa Bay if all three home teams win on Wild Card Weekend. I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s entirely possible.

On the other hand, if the Seahawks drop their game tonight and end up the #5 seeded NFC squad, then they’re drawing the winner of the NFC South in the first round for sure. Seattle has already played both teams this year, dropping an early-season bout to Tampa Bay 38-35, and just last week handling Carolina 27-10.

Of course, the Buccaneers were a far better team in that Week Five matchup, and the Seahawks have changed radically over the last three months as well, so it’s a matter of debate which team Seattle matches up better with. I imagine most Seahawks fans would feel good about either opponent, but there’s probably a preference somewhere in there.

Regardless, we’ll be waiting one more day to find out who the opponent will be, by which Seattle will already know if they’re watching the first round of the playoffs on a bye, or facing off against the south’s winner on the road.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons: How to watch, start time, odds and prediction

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons: How to watch, start time, odds and prediction

Kicker Harrison Mevis aims to get back on track when the Rams play the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Mevis, signed by the Rams in November, made all eight of his field-goal attempts before missing from 48 yards late in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 38-37 overtime defeat by the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 18 in Seattle.

“Just continuing to keep firing away,” Mevis said. “I’m not going to be perfect in my career — nobody is. And it’s all about how you respond and bounce back and make the next kick.”

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Gary Klein breaks down everything you need to know heading into Monday night’s matchup between the Rams and the Atlanta Falcons.

In the aftermath of the loss, which included a fourth-quarter punt return for a touchdown by the Seahawks, Rams coach Sean McVay fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn.

Three of the Rams’ four losses have resulted from major kicking-game miscues, and Blackburn’s firing was just the latest change made to solve the issues.

When the Rams signed Mevis to replace Joshua Karty — who last week was signed by the Arizona Cardinals off the Rams practice squad — they also brought in veteran snapper Jake McQuaide to replace Alex Ward.

The game against the Falcons will serve as Ben Kotwica’s debut as interim special teams coordinator.

Kotwica has worked in the NFL for most of the last 18 years, and he coached with McVay on Washington’s staff. Kotwica was the Denver Broncos special teams coordinator in 2023 and 2024 before joining the Rams staff as a special teams assistant.

“We’ve had a couple of plays that have cost us during the course of the year, but I love the way that our guys are going about the business,” Kotwica said. “They understand the urgency. We’re part of a championship football team and we’re just ready to contribute to holding up that Lombardi [Trophy] early next year.”

Key injuries

Rams: OL Kevin Dotson (ankle, out); DB Josh Wallace (ankle, out); WR Davante Adams (hamstring, doubtful); OL Alaric Jackson (knee, questionable); DL Braden Fiske (ankle, questionable but expected to play); CB Roger McCreary (hip, expected to be activated to roster from injured reserve).

Falcons: CB Mike Hughes (ankle, out); CB Clark Phillips III (triceps/illness, out); DL Sam Roberts (knee/ankle, out); WR Drake London (knee, questionable).

How to watch and listen to Rams vs. Falcons

The Rams (11-4) and the Atlanta Falcons (6-9) will play at 5:15 p.m. PST Monday. The game will be shown on ABC in the Los Angeles area and nationally on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 710 AM, 93.1 FM and 1330 AM (Español).

Betting odds and lines for Rams vs. Falcons

Betting lines and odds for Rams vs. the Atlanta Falcons.

Who will win Rams vs. Falcons?

Gary Klein’s pick: A few weeks ago, this looked like a potential easy victory for the Rams. Now it could be more difficult. Still, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will outduel Kirk Cousins. Rams 30, Falcons 24

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Seattle, WA

Carolina Panthers rookie reveals how Seattle Seahawks defense caught them off guard

Published

6 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Carolina Panthers rookie reveals how Seattle Seahawks defense caught them off guard

The Panthers Played 1920s Football In The 2020s

The Carolina Panthers had 40 net yards passing on Sunday, in a game where they never once held the lead. Bryce Young averaged 1.54 yards per dropback on plays that didn’t end in him scrambling. Jalen Coker led the team in receiving yards, nearly doubling second place, with sixteen of them. Stud rookie Tet McMillan had five yards. WR2 Xavier Leggette had three yards.

It’s safe to say that whatever buttons Mike Macdonald and Aden Durde pushed before and during this game, they were the correct buttons to push. This is the kind of one-sided dominance that you’d expect to see in a college game, where Alabama plays against Troy, or Oregon draws Idaho. Maybe against a fourth string quarterback who has no business playing.

But this was former #1 overall pick Bryce Young, starting quarterback for a Carolina Panthers team that has playoff aspirations with one week to go. They had all their starters except for right guard Rob Hunt, who has been missing for some time anyway. This Panthers team has upset the Los Angeles Rams and beaten the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the last month.

It’s a real team. But when it came to throwing the ball on this particular Sunday, they didn’t really look like one. And don’t forget to consider that their running game was perfectly competent as well, averaging about four yards a carry before a couple of game-ending kneeldowns. How did Seattle do it? Star receiver Tetairoa McMillan chimed in after the game.

McMillan Explains It All

In a locker room interview shortly after the game ended, McMillan referenced how Seattle caught Carolina off-guard by playing more man coverage than expected.

“I think it just caught us by surprise. And obviously it puts more pressure on the quarterback, because they get back there faster,” he explained. “But then, at the same time, it’s up to the receivers to get open. To create a clear picture for Bryce.”

McMillan’s lone catch of the day came with 3:47 left in the fourth quarter, Carolina down by ten and deep in their own territory. Facing 4th and 17, Bryce Young checked it down over the middle to Tet, who was quickly tackled by Julian Love to get the ball back to Seattle’s offense. It was a day to forget for him in particular, who has had an excellent rookie campaign to this point.

Dec 28, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw a pass. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

One Simple Trick To Make Your Passing Game Disappear

It certainly makes sense why Carolina wouldn’t expect Seattle to play much man defense. According to data collected by Football Insights, Seattle’s defense is in zone on 78% of their snaps and in man coverage on just 17% (the remaining 5% is plays where the coverage type wasn’t clear). The split in the previous six games is 78%/21%.

There are a few other teams that play man less than Seattle, but not many, which goes well with their near-league low blitz rate. So you can certainly understand why Carolina wasn’t anticipating anything different. After all, the way in which Seattle has played defense all season has resulted in one of the best squads in football and inside track to the top seed in the NFC.

But Macdonald clearly saw an advantage in switching things up, a luxury afforded to him with elite cover corners like Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen on the field. Clearly, former Seahawk coach Dave Canales wasn’t ready for it, and on a day where Seattle needed an elite defensive performance to get the win, this was a big part of the formula.

This is the sort of thing that Seattle will hopefully have in their back pocket come postseason time, when the edges are small and unexpected coaching adjustments can make a big difference. With the offense having some issues in recent weeks, the defense may need to be elite to get wins, so it’s good to have a Mike Macdonald on your side.

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