Spark in Seahawks’ running game provides highlight in ugly loss

Rookie Thomas Rawls' 169 yards on the ground were the second most for the Seahawks since Shaun Alexander's 201-yard effort in 2006.

BY ERIC MANDEL

Oct 12, 2015, 10:02 AM Updated: 10:37 am

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Thomas Rawls rushed for a 69-yard touchdown Sunday, the Seahawks' first running TD of the season. (AP)

(AP)

For a variety of reasons, Thomas Rawls isn’t being confused for Marshawn Lynch. But after three games as the Seahawks’ featured runner, it’s hard not to see some striking similarities.

“He’s very physical, he’s kind of a little Marshawn, if you will,” said offensive lineman Justin Britt. “He’s not gonna go down easy. He’s gonna keep fighting and as offensive linemen, whenever you have those backs behind you, you’re going to try to block extra hard and make sure they get that extra chance they can.”

After breaking free for 104 yards in relief of an injured Lynch vs. Chicago, Rawls, an undrafted rookie from Central Michigan, followed with a more pedestrian 48 yards against the Lions. The 22 year old restated his promise against a stout Bengals defense, though, barreling for 169 yards on 23 carries, including a punishing, Beast-like 69-yard touchdown run where he started in the middle of the field, bounced outside, outran three defenders and embarrassed a would-be tackler.

“I cut it back and after that I just let my talents take over,” he said.

The 169 yards was the second most for the Seahawks since Shaun Alexander’s 201-yard effort in 2006 against the Green Bay Packers. Lynch’s best single game effort is 153 yards.

According to Seahawks.com, Rawls had an estimated 80-90 people travel the roughly 300 miles south from his hometown of Flint, Mich., to see him play.

Rawls said the offensive line made it easy for him early, getting the defense to flow down with the blocks, allowing for simple and effective cut backs.

“We did a great job up front,” he said. “I just took advantage of every opportunity. The (Cincinnati) defense, they started to key in on me a little more throughout the game. They played a great game.”

Offensive lineman Russell Okung isn’t surprised by Rawls’ success.

“He was doing that all through our OTAs and minicamp and even through training camp,” Okung said. “So we just knew he’d have to get some touches and he’s done very well with Marshawn being out.”

The Seahawks rushed for more than 100 yards for the 15th straight game, and the 200 total yards on the ground were Seattle’s best since a 264-yard outburst against the Cardinals last Dec. 21. Despite the noteworthy effort, the attack stalled in the fourth quarter and Rawls didn’t get an official carry in overtime, his lone 2-yard run negated by a penalty.

Britt said he didn’t think the Bengals altered anything defensively in the fourth quarter to alter the offense’s success.

“I don’t think so, I just think we weren’t executing as a whole offense,” he said. “We went back to one guy here or there not doing the right thing or not finishing that play. And me, myself, we all got to be accountable and just do the right thing.”

Rawls agreed, saying the Bengals never let up.

“It’s just a grind throughout the game,” he said. “We pride ourselves on finishing. Cincinnati, they finished. They played a great game. We just gotta get back this week of preparation and improve.”

The inexperienced offensive line has been heavily criticized to start the season, but felt a bit more of a click coming into the week. Still, it allowed four sacks and 10 QB hits.

Okung said it comes down to execution.

“It was mano a mano up front and we just had to win, and we didn’t,” he said.

Okung said the group is starting to regain its position as a tough running team, which might coincide with Lynch’s return. And perhaps a new 1-2, pound-pound punch.

“It’s part of who we are,” Okung said. “It’s our identity and what we stand for. We are a run-first team and that wasn’t the case today finishing.”