What We Learned featuring Russell Wilson as Plastic Man
Sep 27, 2016, 6:27 AM | Updated: 9:32 am
Russell Wilson has made a reputation for fourth-quarter rallies ever since his rookie year. His comeback after that gruesome tackle on Sunday could be his most amazing yet.
Here’s a list of what we learned from the Seahawks’ 37-18 win over San Francisco and those things we’re still trying to figure out.
Three things we learned:
1. Wilson has superhero DNA.
Cam Newton likes to pretend like he’s Superman for Carolina. Seattle, meanwhile, has a player with elastic joints: Stretch Wilson. He can have his right ankle stepped on by Miami’s Ndamukong Suh and not miss a single play. Two weeks later, he had his left leg pinned awkwardly underneath 49ers linebacker Eli Harold and 10 minutes later he was arguing that he was ready to continue playing. And what does Seattle’s superhero sip when he’s not having his ligaments stretched beyond the bounds of reason? Nanobubbles, of course.
2. Jimmy Graham is a veritable skyscraper in the landscape of Seattle’s offense.
Wilson got what could turn out to be an incredibly valuable freebie in the second quarter against San Francisco when linebacker Ahmad Brooks jumped offsides, giving Seattle what amounted to a free play. Wilson lobbed the ball to a well-covered Graham. In fact, Graham was so well-covered that safety Jaquiski Tartt leaped up and grabbed the ball with both hands, but before Tartt could come down and secure the interception, Graham pulled the ball away for a 40-yard reception. Wilson is the kind of quarterback who doesn’t give away that kind of trust. For his first two years in town, Golden Tate was the only receiver Wilson consistently threw jump balls to. Graham’s game of takeaway should go a long way toward convincing Wilson that his 6-foot-8 tight end is someone who can come out on top.
3. The Seahawks aren’t entirely allergic to takeaways.
Seattle forced a turnover on Sunday. Finally. Blaine Gabbert threw a pass toward receiver Quinton Patten, the ball was deflected and then picked off by a diving Bobby Wagner. That’s it. That’s the only one through three games. The last time Seattle had only one takeaway after three games was 1997. The Seahawks ended up with 29 takeaways that season. Translation: There’s still time to turn it around. The Seahawks hope that’s a sign of things to come.
Three things we’re still trying to figure out:
1. What was the significance of the 49ers’ two fourth-quarter touchdowns?
Through three quarters, the Seahawks had allowed 132 yards and one field goal over San Francisco’s first 10 possessions. The 49ers’ final two drives produced 122 yards and 14 points. Did the Seahawks ease off the gas given that the outcome was already decided? Were they set up to play the pass and the 49ers wound up running the ball as coach Pete Carroll indicated on Monday? Or was that a lull that should be worrisome heading forward? As good as Seattle’s defense has looked so far this season – and it has looked great – the first three opponents were three of the seven worst teams in total offense last season. Seattle’s defense is off to a great start, but the opposing offenses are going to be more competent going forward.
2. Can Christine Michael consistently produce like he did Sunday?
Seattle needs him to be with Thomas Rawls out for at least a few more weeks with a leg injury. The fact that Michael has reclaimed his NFL career is fantastic. The fact that he’s doing it with the team that decided to trade him for a seventh-round pick two years after using a second-round pick to draft him is almost unbelievable. Now, we’re going to see how Michael handles a little bit of success. Can he remain consistent in his approach and effort even if the results – and in some cases perhaps the number of opportunities – fluctuate?
3. How close is C.J. Prosise to being back in Seattle’s backfield?
That’s becoming more and more important given the trickle-down effect of Rawls’ injury. If Rawls were healthy, Michael would step in for Prosise as Seattle’s third-down back. With Michael starting, that role as the third-down back falls to Alex Collins. Prosise suffered a broken bone in his hand in the first half of the opener, and while he has been practicing the past two weeks, the team has left him inactive as the injury has affected his ability to handle – and more specifically catch – the football.
