Chris Carson’s performance against Cards exemplifies Seahawks’ style

Chris Carson rushed for 104 yards and tacked on another 41 through four catches, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-10 in a Week 4 road win Sunday.

Seahawks 27, Cardinals 10: 710’s Reaction | Recap & photos | Stats

It wasn’t just Carson’s 100-yard performance – his first of the season – that pleased head coach Pete Carroll. It was the style with which he did it – with physical, punishing gains that exemplify exactly what Seattle prided itself on last season.

“I think probably the guy I’m most excited about is for Chris,” Carroll said postgame. “Chris Carson had a great game. Sent them the message about his style of play. And our style of play riding on his shoulders was really obvious today. He had 40-something yards in the pass as well as 100-something in running, but it was more about the style. It was more about what he brings to us. So I was really fired up for him.”

Prior to Sunday’s win, the Seahawks had been struggling to find their footing in the run after leading the league in rushing yards per game last year. Center Justin Britt spoke about his frustration after Seattle’s loss to the Saints.

“There was a reason it just wasn’t clicking,” Britt said. “Which is weird because coming off last year, we’re so used to just being able to run the ball well. Especially in short yardage, we’ve got to do better.”

It was a quick turn around after all; Carson was at his best in a game that saw him put a spin move to evade unblocked linebacker Terrell Suggs for a gain of eight yards, rush for 10 yards down the middle to put Seattle in the red zone at the close of the first half, and push a Cardinals defender into a backpedal to force a 12-yard gain.

Just as importantly, Carson didn’t fumble, something that had become an uncharacteristic trend over the last three weeks.

Of course, truly establishing the run will mean continuing that success Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams. Interestingly, despite losing both games, Seattle ran well against the Rams last year. The Seahawks will also get Rashaad Penny back and have a healthy C.J. Prosise, who scored his first touchdown since 2016 on Sunday, available in the backfield.

“We’re in good shape there,” Carroll said of the trio of running backs.

Seahawks stay healthy

Carson took a brief exit from Sunday’s game, but remained on the sideline and was able to return to play. Carroll said the team came out healthy.

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