SEATTLE — The Seahawks’ 6-foot-5, 342-pound offensive guard spelled out Seattle’s offensive success from his locker following Sunday’s 33-31 loss to Los Angeles.
“The thing is about being physical,” DJ Fluker said when asked about Seattle’s ability to run the ball Sunday, “(the Rams) haven’t seen a team that plays physical. They want to be pass-rushers. They haven’t seen a team that actually goes out there and takes it to them every single play.”
Coach Pete Carroll hasn’t been shy in his desire for his offense to regain the power run game that’s been the hallmark of the Carroll era. Through the season’s first four weeks, Seattle has employed various mixtures of Chris Carson, Mike Davis, Rashaad Penny and CJ Prosise.
Within Sunday’s loss, Seattle may have discovered the right running back recipe. It featured Carson’s physical, slashing style with a side of Davis’ tough, shifty running.
The Seahawks averaged 5.9 yards per carry Sunday running behind Germain Ifedi, Fluker, Justin Britt, J.R. Sweezy and Duane Brown — more than a 2-yard improvement from Seattle’s 3.8 yard-per-carry average through its first four games.
Carson, returning from a hip injury that sidelined him last week against the Cardinals, picked up where he left off in Week 3. The second-year back had his second straight 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 116 rush yards on 19 carries. He showcased his physical style and found success against a stiff Los Angeles front that included All-Pros Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh.
After receiving 13 carries through the first two weeks, Carson has combined for 51 in his past two games.
“I’m really proud of the guys up front the way they run blocked all day long,” Carroll said. “Chris ran like crazy, just did a great job of running tough.”
Earlier in the week, Carroll promised Davis, who surpassed 100 yards in Week 4 against Arizona, would still be involved in the run game when Carson returned. Davis provided a strong one-two punch with Carson, carrying 12 times for 68 yards and a touchdown.
The odd man out Sunday? That was first-round rookie Penny, who received zero carries. His only touch came on a first-half kick return.
“It’s a big thing, especially in this league having two backs that can produce,” Carson said. “It’s big. You see how (New Orleans backs Mark) Ingram and (Alvin) Kamara do it, so it just keeps fresh legs out there.”
Davis, a fourth-year back who started Seattle’s final five games last season, was a question mark to make the roster this preseason. He’s now seemingly found a major role in the Seahawks’ offense. His 6-yard first-quarter touchdown run was his third TD in the past two games.
“It feels good,” Davis said. “Like I said, that one-two punch with my man Chris. We just rotate in and just make sure that we keep each other fresh so that whenever we come in, that guy is ready to go 100 percent.”
Many of Seattle’s big runs came off read-option. Although QB Russell Wilson never kept the ball, the delayed handoff provided time for holes to form, and Carson and Davis found them.
The successful run game created down field shot plays off play-action. Tyler Lockett’s 39-yard second-quarter touchdown came off a run fake to Carson, as did David Moore’s 30-yard TD catch late in the third.
“I’m thrilled because you can see it,” Carroll said of his rushing attack. “You can see what type of team we are now. You know who we are. We know who we are, too. We’re just getting warmed up. … You can see the magnitude of the running game sets up the passing game and allows us to do stuff that we want to do down the field.”
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