Seattle has continued their winning ways for a second-straight week. For the 17th time in their last 22 visits to the east coast for an early window game, the Seahawks prove victorious and will return to the Pacific Northwest with a win.
For the first road game, and first overtime game, in Mike Macdonald's career, the rookie head coach is able to get his team prepared accordingly. With any game, there are those who standout both positively and negatively. Here at Seahawks Wire, you already know what we call them: Studs and Duds.
Fortunately, with a victory, the Seahawks certainly have more of the former than the latter.
No. 1 Stud - Geno Smith
Sep 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Top honors have to go to Seattle's two-time Pro Bowler quarterback Geno Smith. On a day when the Seahawks could not get the ground game going, Smith was sublime. Smith picked apart New England's stout defense, completing 33-of-44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown. Smith's day was actually much better than his final attempts/completion numbers look, as his receivers dropped five passes on the day.
Last season, Smith led the NFL with five game-winning drives, with his first coming in Week 2 on the road in overtime. Well, here we are, in another Week 2 game on the road in overtime, and Smith delivered once more.
Smith may struggle to get love from the national media, but the 12's who watch the games each week know how good of a quarterback he is.
No. 2 Stud - DK Metcalf
Sep 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) makes the play over New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
What a game from DK Metcalf! On Sunday. No. 14 was targeted 14 times and hauled in 10 of them for a team-leading 129 yards and a touchdown. In fact, it was Metcalf's touchdown that got the fireworks started for Seattle, breaking free for a wide-open 56-yard touchdown reception. It was the first time in his career Metcalf had a 100+ yard game in either Week 1 or Week 2.
Metcalf is also a fan of history, as he apparently tried to recreate the image of George Washington crossing the Delaware.
No. 3 Stud - Jaxon Smith-Njigba
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 15: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball against Jahlani Tavai #48 of the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Not to be (fully) outdone by his teammate, Seattle's second year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a career day against New England. JSN was targeted 16 times, and caught a career-best 12 balls for 117 yards - also a career best. Headed into the season, JSN was a prime candidate to have a breakout year under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb's new system. If Week 2 is an indication of what is to come, JSN is going to have a monster sophomore season.
Overall, JSN and DK Metcalf combined for 22 receptions for 246 yards.
No. 1 Dud - Anthony Bradford... again.
Aug 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (70) after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
It has been a rough start to the season for Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford. In Week 1 against the Broncos, Bradford was literally responsible for four free points as he was flagged twice for safeties. Things were not much better in Week 2 in New England, as Bradford was guilty of an unnecessary roughness penalty, as well as a false start. Twenty of Seattle's 50 penalty yards were courtesy of Bradford.
If Bradford is unable to turn around his play in a hurry, he is going to be at risk of losing his starting spot, if he hasn't already. The leash should not be long with him at this point, especially with top rookie guard Christian Haynes waiting in the wings.
No. 2 Dud - Zach Charbonnet
Sep 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
We covered the lack of rushing attack in takeaways, but it was so bad we need to double down. Zach Charbonnet absolutely was not able to take his opportunity without Kenneth Walker in the lineup. Yes, Charbonnet did have a touchdown, but his 38 yards on 14 carries was not getting the job done. Curiously, the Seahawks did not substitute in Kenny McIntosh or George Holani even once.
Charbonnet did have some redemption in the fourth quarter and in overtime, as he did make a crucial 3rd down conversion to keep the game-winning drive alive.
No. 4 Studs - Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II
Sep 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) rushes against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Seattle's dynamic duo on the defensive line get to share a spot on the Studs list. On the day, Leonard Williams had four tackles, four quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks. His running mate, Byron Murphy II, had four tackles as well and half a sack.
Williams and Murphy combined for half a sack when they brought Jacoby Brissett down in the fourth quarter, setting up a field goal attempt for New England, and the biggest play of the game for either team....
No. 5 Stud - Julian Love
Sep 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) blocks the field goal attempt by New England Patriots place kicker Joey Slye (13) in the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Another week, another game changing play from Seattle's starting safety Julian Love. Against the Broncos, Love led the team in tackles and secured an interception. In Week 2, Love directly affected the course of the game on special teams.
Leading 20-17, the Patriots attempted a 48-yard field goal, which was blocked by Love! Had Joey Slye connected, he would have given New England a 23-17 lead with 3:54 left in the game. Seattle would have needed to find the end zone to win, a place on the field the team had not been anywhere near since the second quarter. Instead, the block kept it 20-17, and the Seahawks had a more managable drive to tie the game and send it to overtime.
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