RENTON, Wash. — Two things must happen for the Seahawks to make the playoffs. First, they have to beat the Los Angeles Rams at home this Sunday in a game scheduled for a 1:25 p.m. PT kickoff. Then, Seattle must hope for the Detroit Lions to beat the Packers on the road later in the evening.
If Seattle beats Los Angeles, the Lions would be eliminated from playoff contention before their game against Green Bay kicks off. Detroit’s only motivation at that point would be to finish the season strong and keep a divisional rival out of the postseason. The order in which the games will be played is not entirely favorable to the Seahawks, but coach Pete Carroll said he’s not at all bothered by the scheduling.
Seahawks and Rams will play *before* Lions & Packers. If Seattle wins, Detroit is eliminated from contention and has nothing to play for. A competitive disadvantage for Seattle, which needs a win over LA + DET win to make postseason.
(DET prolly plays hard regardless but still) https://t.co/Mc7HGO3Tst
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) January 2, 2023
“We don’t care about that one bit,” Carroll said Monday afternoon. “It’s not going to change anything that we’re doing. We’re going for it.”
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Carroll said the last thing he’s worried about is a Detroit team led by second-year head coach Dan Campbell not being hyped up and ready to play regardless of the circumstances.
“He’s going to get them fired up and jacked,” Carroll said of Campbell, whose Lions beat Green Bay in Week 9. “That’s all he’s ever done. That’ll be a great match, too. We’ve got to take care of business, be focused on our stuff and have a great week.”
Asked about the situation Monday, Campbell told reporters, “Either we’re playing to get in, or we’re playing to be spoiler, and that’s it. So, either way, we win.”
Next man up at linebacker
Third-year linebacker Jordyn Brookssuffered a torn ACL in the second quarter of Seattle’s 23-6 win over the Jets on Sunday. He’s out for the season and will have his knee surgically repaired.
Brooks is Seattle’s leading tackler and ranks third in the NFL with 161 total stops. He ranks second in the league with 103 solo tackles. For the first time in his NFL career, Brooks was also in charge of calling the plays in the huddle this season. His improvement in that role was noticeable midway through the season, and his command of the unit in tough times was key during the team’s four-game win streak.
GO DEEPER
Stepping into huge shoes, Jordyn Brooks' command of the Seahawks' defense keeps expanding
“Our heart is broken for Jordyn,” Carroll said. “He’s been so much in the fabric of this organization since he showed up the first day. Hearts out to him, because he wants to play football and he doesn’t get to. We’ve got to do our part.”
The new green-dot player will be Cody Barton. He’s been in the system for four years and took over as the defensive signal caller in the final two games of the 2021 season when the Seahawks were without an injured Bobby Wagner. Calling the plays won’t be much of an adjustment for the 2019 third-round pick out of Utah, but losing Brooks is nonetheless significant.
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“He’s done it a ton in practice for us, and it’s just second nature to him now,” Carroll said of Barton calling the plays. “He’s really in command, really smart, really a student of it. He takes a lot of pride in it.”
Barton will be flanked by third-year inside linebacker Tanner Muse, a third-round pick of the Raiders in the 2020 draft. He’s been with the Seahawks since 2021 but played just one defensive snap in his career before this season, in the 2021 regular-season finale.
This season, Muse has played extensively in two games: He replaced an injured Brooks in the second half against the 49ers in Week 15 and played a career-high 19 snaps. He played another 18 defensive snaps in the win over the Jets on Sunday. Muse finished with two solo tackles and a pass breakup.
“He did a nice job with assignments and responsibilities (and) almost had a pick,” Carroll said. “He did well. The couple times he’s spotted in there for us, he’s really tackled well. We can use all that we can get.”
Pete Carroll told us today that Jordyn Brooks has an ACL injury so his season is over. How will they replace him going forward? Pete offered three names: pic.twitter.com/OmdhomM5Jr
— Mike Salk, Seattle Sports Station (@TheMikeSalk) January 2, 2023
The Seahawks have enough flexibility on defense to avoid playing Muse extensively against the Rams if they so choose. For example, the first snap following Brooks’ injury was a first-and-10 from the 44-yard line. New York came out in 11 personnel (one tight end, one running back) and Seattle countered with its “Penny” package, a heavier form of nickel personnel that features three down linemen, two outside linebackers in a two-point stance on the edge, five defensive backs and Barton as the lone inside linebacker.
In that package, Johnathan Abram was the nickelback, and Teez Tabor was the other deep safety opposite Quandre Diggs. Seattle used that package on early downs throughout the game in addition to pulling Muse off the field for the dime package, which has six defensive backs and is often deployed on obvious passing downs and two-minute situations.
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Muse will probably be a starter on Sunday against the Rams, but with Abram, Tabor and nickelback Coby Bryant, Seattle can mix and match its defensive looks as needed.
“We’ll have a good week of practice and figure it all out,” Carroll said. “It does open up opportunities, so we’ll see.”
Rough day for receivers
DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett combined for 18 yards and three catches on seven targets Sunday. It was their second-worst outing from a production standout behind a Week 16 loss to the Cardinals in 2019 when Lockett had a 12-yard catch and Metcalf was shut out. On Sunday, Lockett played just 22 of Seattle’s 71 penalty-free offensive snaps because of a leg contusion sustained in the first half. Lockett missed the entire third quarter and played just 10 fourth-quarter snaps before Carroll rested him for the remainder of the contest.
Metcalf, on the other hand, played the entire game and didn’t catch a ball until the third quarter, and it was a quick hitch for just 3 yards. His other four targets were as follows: A third-and-6 slant broken up by Ahmad Gardner in the end zone; an overthrown back-shoulder fade in the end zone (against versus Gardner); an overthrown go route against ex-Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed; and a drop on a deep ball against Gardner.
The win over New York was only the third time Metcalf has played an entire game and caught just one pass. It also happened in Week 4 against Arizona in 2019 and Week 12 against Washington in 2021.
The Jets are among only a few teams with not one but two cornerbacks capable of covering Metcalf in one-on-one situations. Lockett’s absence for a chunk of the game made it even easier to rotate additional defenders in Metcalf’s direction. That said, Metcalf dropped what would have been a 27-yard completion and had two other balls sail over his head after separating from the defender. Only one of his targets was broken up.
When asked on Monday about Metcalf’s performance, Carroll didn’t sound overly concerned.
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“I said to DK somewhere in the fourth quarter, ‘It’s just one of those days,’” Carroll said. “The targets that we got, we just didn’t hook up on. We went to him, and we went to him in a big way. Down in the end zone for the touchdown, a couple big deeps that just didn’t work. But it was just that day the ball didn’t get to him. He said, ‘I ain’t worried about it.’ He was good about it.
“Watch out this week.”
Parkinson, Fant step up in Dissly’s absence
To spring Kenneth Walker III on his 60-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, tight end Noah Fant cleared out defensive end Carl Lawson while Colby Parkinson walled off safety Jordan Whitehead.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM K9!
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/HZFF3a3dgz
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 1, 2023
Parkinson did the same thing to Whitehead on Walker’s 11-yard run in the same period. The two tight ends also had a combo block on defensive end Jermaine Johnson to create a crease for DeeJay Dallas on a 7-yard run to move the chains in the opening quarter. Parkinson pancaked Lawson on Geno Smith’s 11-yard run to pick up a first down on third-and-4 in the second quarter.
Without Will Dissly in the lineup because of a season-ending knee injury, Parkinson and Fant took it upon themselves to step up as blockers in the run game. They directly contributed to Walker, Dallas and Smith combining for nine first-down carries.
“They played really hard, and they physically played their best game in terms of blocking, finishing plays,” Carroll said Monday morning on his KIRO-AM radio show. “I was just really impressed with those guys because Will has been a steady force for some time now, and they’ve allowed him to be the best blocker, the noted guy. They didn’t go for that yesterday. They were both battling, and Tyler (Mabry) got to help out a little bit, but it was really Colby and Noah — both of them had their best games.”
During Carroll’s news conference Monday afternoon, he said there was a conscious effort put forth by Parkinson and Fant, two players known more for their pass catching, to show that they can be just as physical as their injured teammate. That’ll be significant in the regular season finale against Los Angeles, which ranks 12th in designed yards per carry allowed and rush EPA, according to TruMedia.
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What Parkinson and Fant can contribute to the passing game matters, too, but Seattle knows it will struggle to move the ball efficiently without its tight ends being physical run blockers. Seattle ranks second in usage rate of 12 personnel (29.2 percent) and 13 personnel (11.6 percent). Diversifying their play calling in those groupings requires having versatile tight ends committed to catching passes and mauling defenders in the run game.
“The two of those guys really showed up,” Carroll said. “Tyler catching a touchdown pass is icing on the cake for those guys. They’re feeling pretty good about themselves today.”
(Photo of Pete Carroll: Lindsey Wasson / Getty Images)
RENTON, Wash. — Two things must happen for the Seahawks to make the playoffs. First, they have to beat the Los Angeles Rams at home this Sunday in a game scheduled for a 1:25 p.m. PT kickoff. Then, Seattle must hope for the Detroit Lions to beat the Packers on the road later in the evening.
If Seattle beats Los Angeles, the Lions would be eliminated from playoff contention before their game against Green Bay kicks off. Detroit’s only motivation at that point would be to finish the season strong and keep a divisional rival out of the postseason. The order in which the games will be played is not entirely favorable to the Seahawks, but coach Pete Carroll said he’s not at all bothered by the scheduling.
Seahawks and Rams will play *before* Lions & Packers. If Seattle wins, Detroit is eliminated from contention and has nothing to play for. A competitive disadvantage for Seattle, which needs a win over LA + DET win to make postseason.
(DET prolly plays hard regardless but still) https://t.co/Mc7HGO3Tst
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) January 2, 2023
“We don’t care about that one bit,” Carroll said Monday afternoon. “It’s not going to change anything that we’re doing. We’re going for it.”
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Carroll said the last thing he’s worried about is a Detroit team led by second-year head coach Dan Campbell not being hyped up and ready to play regardless of the circumstances.
“He’s going to get them fired up and jacked,” Carroll said of Campbell, whose Lions beat Green Bay in Week 9. “That’s all he’s ever done. That’ll be a great match, too. We’ve got to take care of business, be focused on our stuff and have a great week.”
Asked about the situation Monday, Campbell told reporters, “Either we’re playing to get in, or we’re playing to be spoiler, and that’s it. So, either way, we win.”
Next man up at linebacker
Third-year linebacker Jordyn Brookssuffered a torn ACL in the second quarter of Seattle’s 23-6 win over the Jets on Sunday. He’s out for the season and will have his knee surgically repaired.
Brooks is Seattle’s leading tackler and ranks third in the NFL with 161 total stops. He ranks second in the league with 103 solo tackles. For the first time in his NFL career, Brooks was also in charge of calling the plays in the huddle this season. His improvement in that role was noticeable midway through the season, and his command of the unit in tough times was key during the team’s four-game win streak.
GO DEEPER
Stepping into huge shoes, Jordyn Brooks' command of the Seahawks' defense keeps expanding
“Our heart is broken for Jordyn,” Carroll said. “He’s been so much in the fabric of this organization since he showed up the first day. Hearts out to him, because he wants to play football and he doesn’t get to. We’ve got to do our part.”
The new green-dot player will be Cody Barton. He’s been in the system for four years and took over as the defensive signal caller in the final two games of the 2021 season when the Seahawks were without an injured Bobby Wagner. Calling the plays won’t be much of an adjustment for the 2019 third-round pick out of Utah, but losing Brooks is nonetheless significant.
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“He’s done it a ton in practice for us, and it’s just second nature to him now,” Carroll said of Barton calling the plays. “He’s really in command, really smart, really a student of it. He takes a lot of pride in it.”
Barton will be flanked by third-year inside linebacker Tanner Muse, a third-round pick of the Raiders in the 2020 draft. He’s been with the Seahawks since 2021 but played just one defensive snap in his career before this season, in the 2021 regular-season finale.
This season, Muse has played extensively in two games: He replaced an injured Brooks in the second half against the 49ers in Week 15 and played a career-high 19 snaps. He played another 18 defensive snaps in the win over the Jets on Sunday. Muse finished with two solo tackles and a pass breakup.
“He did a nice job with assignments and responsibilities (and) almost had a pick,” Carroll said. “He did well. The couple times he’s spotted in there for us, he’s really tackled well. We can use all that we can get.”
Pete Carroll told us today that Jordyn Brooks has an ACL injury so his season is over. How will they replace him going forward? Pete offered three names: pic.twitter.com/OmdhomM5Jr
— Mike Salk, Seattle Sports Station (@TheMikeSalk) January 2, 2023
The Seahawks have enough flexibility on defense to avoid playing Muse extensively against the Rams if they so choose. For example, the first snap following Brooks’ injury was a first-and-10 from the 44-yard line. New York came out in 11 personnel (one tight end, one running back) and Seattle countered with its “Penny” package, a heavier form of nickel personnel that features three down linemen, two outside linebackers in a two-point stance on the edge, five defensive backs and Barton as the lone inside linebacker.
In that package, Johnathan Abram was the nickelback, and Teez Tabor was the other deep safety opposite Quandre Diggs. Seattle used that package on early downs throughout the game in addition to pulling Muse off the field for the dime package, which has six defensive backs and is often deployed on obvious passing downs and two-minute situations.
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Muse will probably be a starter on Sunday against the Rams, but with Abram, Tabor and nickelback Coby Bryant, Seattle can mix and match its defensive looks as needed.
“We’ll have a good week of practice and figure it all out,” Carroll said. “It does open up opportunities, so we’ll see.”
Rough day for receivers
DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett combined for 18 yards and three catches on seven targets Sunday. It was their second-worst outing from a production standout behind a Week 16 loss to the Cardinals in 2019 when Lockett had a 12-yard catch and Metcalf was shut out. On Sunday, Lockett played just 22 of Seattle’s 71 penalty-free offensive snaps because of a leg contusion sustained in the first half. Lockett missed the entire third quarter and played just 10 fourth-quarter snaps before Carroll rested him for the remainder of the contest.
Metcalf, on the other hand, played the entire game and didn’t catch a ball until the third quarter, and it was a quick hitch for just 3 yards. His other four targets were as follows: A third-and-6 slant broken up by Ahmad Gardner in the end zone; an overthrown back-shoulder fade in the end zone (against versus Gardner); an overthrown go route against ex-Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed; and a drop on a deep ball against Gardner.
The win over New York was only the third time Metcalf has played an entire game and caught just one pass. It also happened in Week 4 against Arizona in 2019 and Week 12 against Washington in 2021.
The Jets are among only a few teams with not one but two cornerbacks capable of covering Metcalf in one-on-one situations. Lockett’s absence for a chunk of the game made it even easier to rotate additional defenders in Metcalf’s direction. That said, Metcalf dropped what would have been a 27-yard completion and had two other balls sail over his head after separating from the defender. Only one of his targets was broken up.
When asked on Monday about Metcalf’s performance, Carroll didn’t sound overly concerned.
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“I said to DK somewhere in the fourth quarter, ‘It’s just one of those days,’” Carroll said. “The targets that we got, we just didn’t hook up on. We went to him, and we went to him in a big way. Down in the end zone for the touchdown, a couple big deeps that just didn’t work. But it was just that day the ball didn’t get to him. He said, ‘I ain’t worried about it.’ He was good about it.
“Watch out this week.”
Parkinson, Fant step up in Dissly’s absence
To spring Kenneth Walker III on his 60-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, tight end Noah Fant cleared out defensive end Carl Lawson while Colby Parkinson walled off safety Jordan Whitehead.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM K9!
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/HZFF3a3dgz
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 1, 2023
Parkinson did the same thing to Whitehead on Walker’s 11-yard run in the same period. The two tight ends also had a combo block on defensive end Jermaine Johnson to create a crease for DeeJay Dallas on a 7-yard run to move the chains in the opening quarter. Parkinson pancaked Lawson on Geno Smith’s 11-yard run to pick up a first down on third-and-4 in the second quarter.
Without Will Dissly in the lineup because of a season-ending knee injury, Parkinson and Fant took it upon themselves to step up as blockers in the run game. They directly contributed to Walker, Dallas and Smith combining for nine first-down carries.
“They played really hard, and they physically played their best game in terms of blocking, finishing plays,” Carroll said Monday morning on his KIRO-AM radio show. “I was just really impressed with those guys because Will has been a steady force for some time now, and they’ve allowed him to be the best blocker, the noted guy. They didn’t go for that yesterday. They were both battling, and Tyler (Mabry) got to help out a little bit, but it was really Colby and Noah — both of them had their best games.”
During Carroll’s news conference Monday afternoon, he said there was a conscious effort put forth by Parkinson and Fant, two players known more for their pass catching, to show that they can be just as physical as their injured teammate. That’ll be significant in the regular season finale against Los Angeles, which ranks 12th in designed yards per carry allowed and rush EPA, according to TruMedia.
Advertisement
What Parkinson and Fant can contribute to the passing game matters, too, but Seattle knows it will struggle to move the ball efficiently without its tight ends being physical run blockers. Seattle ranks second in usage rate of 12 personnel (29.2 percent) and 13 personnel (11.6 percent). Diversifying their play calling in those groupings requires having versatile tight ends committed to catching passes and mauling defenders in the run game.
“The two of those guys really showed up,” Carroll said. “Tyler catching a touchdown pass is icing on the cake for those guys. They’re feeling pretty good about themselves today.”
(Photo of Pete Carroll: Lindsey Wasson / Getty Images)
