Seahawks Instant Reaction: Seattle Sports on 37-23 win over Chargers

The Seahawks have gained once more, and at the moment are the one crew within the NFC West with a document over .500. And sure, meaning they’re in first place.

Recap: Hawks beat Chargers 37-23 | Geno Smith-led Seahawks in first place

Seattle put collectively perhaps its greatest recreation of the season to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 37-23 on Sunday (field rating), enhancing to 4-3 on the season. L.A. fell to 4-3 with the loss, however much more essential, the 49ers misplaced 44-23 to Kansas Metropolis, and with the 3-3 Rams on their bye week, Seattle strikes into sole possession of first place within the NFC West.

As we do after each Seahawks recreation, we have now collected the moment reactions of the voices of Seattle Sports activities. See what they need to say under, and tune into the station Monday for way more in-depth evaluation on the sport.

Mike Salk – Brock & Salk (6-10 a.m.)

At 3-3 and taking part in a high quality crew on the highway, this was going to be a watershed recreation for the Seahawks. Win and also you lead the division in a weak convention. Lose and also you present that you just could be a kind of groups that may be frisky however not likely aggressive.

Nicely, they not solely gained, however they did it convincingly. This was essentially the most full victory of the Seahawks’ younger season as all three phases contributed.

Salk: Three largest causes Seahawks have performed means into first place

By beating the Chargers on their “residence” (rented) turf, the Seahawks despatched a message to the remainder of the league: take us severely. That very same message would possibly apply to some followers, their native media (myself included), and loads of nationwide pundits who assumed their coach was simply refusing to confess that this was a full rebuild.

With a balanced offense led by a rejuvenated (or perhaps reincarnated) quarterback and a protection that was in a position to play complimentary soccer and get off the sector at key moments, the Seahawks lead the NFC West almost midway by means of the season. If this rookie class continues to develop and develop (and all indicators level to that taking place), this crew would be the largest shock within the NFL.

Stacy Rost – Bump & Stacy (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Please welcome to the stage your first-place Seattle Seahawks.

We knew the Chargers might give the Seahawks their largest take a look at since Week 2. Seattle’s opponents since then have introduced with them some strengths, but in addition weaknesses that offered alternative. Detroit was placing up extra factors than all however one different crew, but in addition permitting over 30 factors per recreation. The Falcons and Saints had been with out a number of starters.

The Chargers weren’t utterly wholesome Sunday, however they’d a number of remaining playmakers (each beginning huge receivers and beginning working again Austin Ekeler had been accessible). The offense had quieted a bit however was completely able to dropping 30. They had been a protection that had battle towards the run however had one of many league’s sack leaders in Khalil Mack, and had been additionally fielding the most effective quarterback this crew may have confronted all season in Justin Herbert.

Seattle beat them by two touchdowns.

And now the Seahawks are in sole possession of the NFC West.

There’s loads but to show for this squad, however what we’re seeing by means of the primary half of the season right here in Seattle is, quietly, turning out to be one of many extra fascinating storylines of the NFL season to this point.

Dave Wyman – Wyman & Bob (2-7 p.m.)

The Seattle Seahawks are in first place! Who realistically anticipated to ever say that this season? We even heard it on the published right this moment from the FOX play-by-play man, saying the projected win whole for this crew was 5. But, right here they’re at 4-3 and in first place with the protection trying dramatically higher.

The offense was already clicking for many of this season with Geno Smith surpassing anyone’s expectations, however right this moment the story was rookie working again Ken Walker III. He goes for 168 dashing yards and two touchdowns and appears greater than worthy of his draft place.

Between the 2 rookie tackles, two rookie corners and now Walker, this may very well be one in every of Seattle’s greatest draft lessons in years.

There are nonetheless 10 video games left to play, however the Hawks appear like they may very well be one of many largest surprises within the NFL. Particularly with the NFC trying as mediocre because it has to this point.

If you put up near 40 factors, it’s unusual to concentrate on the protection, however that facet of the ball was large in slowing down probably the greatest offenses in soccer.

The Chargers entered the sport because the seventh-best scoring offense in soccer at almost 24 factors per recreation, but they scored simply two touchdowns through the significant portion of the sport. The early fourth down cease set the tone, and the pressured fumble (and restoration) by Darrell Taylor was a welcome sight after the entire questions on his lack of manufacturing and the position he may need on this protection.

That ball-hawking mentality helped the offense set up its rhythm – and the core of what this crew is constructed to do: run the ball and management time of possession. The ten-minute scoring drive within the third quarter took the wind out of the Chargers’ sails and let the Seahawks dictate how the second half could be performed.

It additionally helps that Ken Walker appears to be like like every thing the Seahawks hoped he could be after spending a second-round choose on him. A bodily runner can alter the dynamic of soccer video games, particularly late when the protection is worn out and has been on the sector for some time.

This was a measuring stick win for the Seahawks, and at this level of the season they need to be thought of as legit playoff contenders.

Brock Huard – Brock & Salk

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf carted off throughout first quarter