Seattle, WA
Seattle Seahawks Takeaways: Stacy Rost on 24-3 win over Giants
The Seattle Seahawks beat the New York Giants 24-3 on Monday, and there are two big and obvious takeaways from this one: How much of what we saw from the defense is real? And how many starters can heal up over an early and much-needed bye week?
Seahawks 24, Giants 3: Recap | Sack record | Reaction | Stats
For the first time this season, it was the Hawks’ defense that stole the show. And I know they played a Giants team already struggling with consistency with a banged-up offensive line and missing its best player, running back Saquon Barkley. But it feels unfair to strip credit away from a defense that recorded 11 sacks in a game for the first time since 1986.
Did the Seahawks solve every problem? No. Will they get double-digit sacks in every game? Absolutely not. Did they benefit from a banged-up opponent? Yes. But even with all of that considered, this unit finally got into the swing of things, and there’s something to be said for trying to build on momentum.
It was a great game for rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon, regardless of those struggles from New York. He brought a physicality that fans have loved seeing from Pete Carroll’s best defensive units. Two sacks, a 97-yard pick-6, seven tackles and three quarterback hits is just plain dominant. So this is what a fifth overall pick looks like…
It’s a great feeling for Seahawks fans to enter the bye week coming off a dominant win. A lingering question will be how healthy they can be coming out. The Giants weren’t the only one short starters up front; Seattle was down to one starting offensive lineman after losing guards Phil Haynes and Damien Lewis. Safety Jamal Adams, making his return after over a year out, left the game after taking a hit to the head. Even quarterback Geno Smith missed a couple series after suffering a knee injury.
If the Seahawks can get healthy quick, they’ve got a chance to build on this stretch of wins with games against a struggling Bengals offense in Week 6 followed by a rebuilding Cardinals team.
A final thought: We’re all waiting for rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s breakout game, but how great was it to see second-round running back Zach Charbonnet punch out some physical runs? For a second consecutive season, Seattle is showing early returns from its draft class.
More from the Seattle Seahawks’ win
• The Big Plays: Seahawks defeat Giants 24-3
• Witherspoon returns first interception for TD, has two sacks
• Geno Smith hurts knee; Seahawks down four starting OL
• Seahawks’ Jamal Adams ruled out after nine plays with concussion