Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 30-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium:
OFFENSE
There was little to complain about in the first half, as Seattle’s five drives resulted in two touchdowns, two field-goal attempts and the half ending. Quarterback Russell Wilson was cooking — getting receiver DK Metcalf more involved than he had in the first two games to ensure Metcalf kept his focus — and Chris Carson was running the ball at will. But someone threw a switch at halftime as Seattle managed just 160 second-half yards, with a good portion of that being inconsequential. Wilson was far less effective as he found himself under more pressure, and Seattle never put together anything close to a sustained drive.
Grade: C-
DEFENSE
Where to start? Seattle allowed 453 yards while the Vikings converted 9 of 14 on third down. The D got torched at the most inopportune times, particularly late in the first half when the Vikings marched right down the field to score the touchdown that stood up as the winner. The pass rush was minimal, as the Seahawks managed just one sack and four quarterback hits. And nickelback Ugo Amadi’s holding penalty on a third-down sack in the second quarter, when Seattle was up 17-7, was absolutely the game’s turning point. At least the defense managed to hold Minnesota to field goals in the second half.
Grade: D
SPECIAL TEAMS
For nearly two years kicker Jason Myers has been Mr. Automatic, but his streak of consecutive made field goals finally came to an end at 37 as he missed a 44-yarder wide left by a smidgen in the second quarter. He did, however, drill a 53-yarder earlier in the game. Punter Michael Dickson was only called upon twice, and while he didn’t do anything spectacular but he did his job. Kickoff and punt coverage was solid per usual. Still not convinced DeeJay Dallas represents enough of a threat as a kickoff returner.
Grade: B-
COACHING
Well, at least the undisciplined penalties from the previous week were cleaned up. Otherwise, a lot of the same issues cropped up again. Seattle was out-adjusted, as the Seahawks lost the second half by three scores for the second straight week. Targeting DK Metcalf early in the game was a good idea, but on the other side of the ball Minnesota was continually able to exploit mismatches in the middle of the field. There was some curious clock management at the end of the second quarter, and if you’re going to run actual plays in the final moments of a half, you might as well try to score instead of finishing with a stat-padding play.
Grade: D
OVERALL
Houston, we have a problem. For the second straight week the Seahawks raced out to a two-score lead, and for the second straight week the defense couldn’t hold it while the offense dried up after halftime. An old adage says that once is an accident, twice is a trend. Seattle is trending in the wrong direction, especially when the second loss is against a winless team playing without its best offensive player (Dalvin Cook). And with the rest of the NFC West continuing to roll through the competition, the Seahawks are staring at serious trouble after just three weeks.
Grade: D+
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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