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Since the acquisition of Duane Brown, the Seahawks’ offensive line has started to show signs of life, with national analysts beginning to notice. Sunday’s performance against the Eagles was arguably their best outing yet, holding a deep and dangerous pass rushing group in check.
Here is this week’s pass protection cutup so you can see for yourselves:
This is very encouraging. Both tackles were solid, and with the exception of the guards being beaten by Brandon Graham a couple times, the interior held up as well.
Here are a few specific plays that jumped out to me when I was going through this:
Ended up scrambling because no one was open, but look! Pass protection! Russell Wilson actually has time to go through progressions! pic.twitter.com/z1jCGuLlXn
— Ben Baldwin (@guga31bb) December 6, 2017
3rd and 7 conversion to Baldwin on the 1st drive. Having a left tackle changes everything pic.twitter.com/MjAHxWDIth
— Ben Baldwin (@guga31bb) December 6, 2017
Wilson kept clean on another 3rd down conversion pic.twitter.com/YmvzfJpJI1
— Ben Baldwin (@guga31bb) December 6, 2017
Russell Wilson against a 7 man rush. Hangs in the pocket and drops it in the bucket to Baldwin pic.twitter.com/Y1j9Njdk41
— Ben Baldwin (@guga31bb) December 6, 2017
The Next Challenge
Sunday’s game brings Calais Campbell and the Jaguars. Campbell has historically made a living feasting on Seattle’s offensive line, so this will be a true test. I would imagine that the Seahawks will do everything they can to avoid leaving Ethan Pocic matched up one on one with Campbell to avoid a repeat of what Campbell did to Seattle’s guards last year:
Calais Campbell is a grown man pic.twitter.com/fZ8MmiX8Cq
— Ben Baldwin (@guga31bb) December 27, 2016
The following game will see the Seahawks face off against the Rams, who pressured Russell Wilson on an astounding 51% of his dropbacks when the two teams played earlier this year. Winning these two games would put Seattle in the driver’s seat for the division. Will the offensive line be up to the challenge?