Huard’s Chalk Talk: Russell Wilson to Doug Baldwin for 34 yards on Seahawks’ first drive vs 49ers

The Seahawks got off to a fast start in their 37-18 win over San Francisco on Sunday, opening the game with a touchdown drive that included a 34-yard completion from Russell Wilson to Doug Baldwin.

Brock Huard breaks down that play in this week’s “Chalk Talk” video, which is embedded above. Huard explains why Wilson changed the play at the line of scrimmage – as he also did on his game-winning touchdown pass in Seattle’s opener – and how Jermaine Kearse played an essential role in freeing up Baldwin.

“As Russell matures with this offense and as he evolves with this offense, he’s changing everything now,” Baldwin said after the game. “That play was specifically not that play and he changed it once he saw the coverage. Jermaine executed it perfectly and gave me a chance to get the ball down the sideline from Russell.”

Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Wilson is indeed changing plays with more frequency than ever before as he operates with a greater command of the position in his fifth season.

“He had a couple really nice checks and things that he did in protection and route-wise that put us in really good positions,” Carroll said. “That’s great stuff and it’s so exciting to see it happen and get the benefits of it in big plays and all of that. There will be a lot more of that during the course of the season.”

You can watch Wilson’s 34-yard completion to Baldwin here.