Three things from the Seahawks’ win over Detroit

Figures that the Mariners’ season would be done when everyone went crazy about a bat in Seattle. But in addition to Rule 12, Section 4, Article 1 (which defines an illegally-batted ball) here’s a list of other things we learned about the Seahawks from their Monday-night win over Detroit.

Three things we learned:

1. The offensive line is not fixed.

It was tempting to think that the Seahawks got things straightened out when they rushed for 121 yards in the second half of their win over Chicago last week. They did not get things straightened out. At least not going forward, and the biggest question is not running the ball – despite the fact that Russell Wilson remains the team’s top rusher – but pass protection. The Bears entered last week’s game in Seattle with no sacks. They sacked Wilson four times. The Lions entered Monday night’s game in Seattle with four sacks. They sacked Wilson six times, Detroit’s highest single-game total in more than 10 years. Next up: The Bengals, who are tied for sixth in the league with 11 sacks after four games.

2. Seattle’s defense is the most fundamentally sound in the league.

At least it is since Kam Chancellor’s return. In the two games since he has been back, Seattle has allowed a total of three plays to gain more than 20 yards. The Seahawks have forced a punt on 17 of 19 possessions, given up one field goal and forced one turnover. Yes, that turnover came at the doorstep of the end zone, but Seattle’s defense constantly held serve against the Lions on Monday night, even when a pair of Seahawks turnovers gave the Lions the ball near midfield. That defense just might be able to buy the Seahawks enough time to grow into a functional offense this season.

3. The Seahawks’ biggest asset on offense is at times a liability.

Wilson’s ability to scramble and go off script is the single most effective tool in Seattle’s offensive arsenal right now. Look no further than his pair of third-down throws to Jermaine Kearse on Monday night. One set up Seattle’s only touchdown, the other iced the game. In each instance, Wilson’s scrambling bought Seattle time and his willingness and ability to keep his eyes downfield produced huge results. But his improv act also resulted in the only Lions touchdown as he lost a ball that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown. The same playmaking ability that led to Seattle’s only touchdown also set up Detroit’s only trip to the end zone, which brings up the question of just how sustainable the Seahawks’ current formula is.

Three things we’re still trying to figure out:

1. How can Jimmy Graham become an asset in Seattle’s scramble game?

This might be the single biggest question on the team outside of the offensive line. Graham is a unique receiving target, but he’s also someone whose history is entirely with a New Orleans offense built around timing and precision and quick decision making. He’s not used to a quarterback who goes sandlot to evade the rush, resets and continues to look downfield. But if Seattle is going to maximize its use of Graham, he has to stay alive in routes and follow the scramble rules the Seahawks have established. He’s enough of an athlete to be a huge difference maker, but he has to learn how to be a factor when Wilson goes off script and Wilson has to have the trust to look for Graham.

2. When are the sacks going to start coming?

The Seahawks – especially Cliff Avril – seem to have gotten pressure, but after four games they have just six sacks. There are only five teams in the league who have fewer sacks. Detroit seemed to present a perfect opportunity. Matthew Stafford had been so beat up through the first two games there was a question about whether he would be able to play in Week 3. The Seahawks also held a lead throughout Monday night’s game, and yet they didn’t sack nor did they intercept Stafford. While Seattle’s defense has been rock solid the past two weeks, the lack of sacks and turnovers is what kept the Lions in the game.

3. How low can Seattle’s scoring go?

The Seahawks’ offense has scored five touchdowns this season, tied with San Francisco for fewest of any team in the league. Seattle is one of three teams that has yet to rush for a touchdown. Miami and Jacksonville are the other two. And for all the worry that Seattle was wasting a championship-caliber defense back in 2012 when Wilson was a rookie, the Seahawks’ offense had scored six touchdowns through four games when they stood at 2-2 that season. Is this offense going to wind up worse than it was then?

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