Chargers 24 Seahawks 14 - Winners and Losers from Seattle’s defeat vs. Los Angeles

The Seattle Seahawks are 0-2 in preseason play for 2018, having lost 24-14 to the Los Angeles Chargers. This is obviously upsetting, disturbing, and makes you wonder if Seattle should tank meaningless. That doesn’t mean we can’t evaluate individual performances from starters, rookies, and roster hopefuls

Here’s a quick rundown of my winners and losers from Saturday night in Southern California.

Winners

Russell Wilson

I didn’t really want to see Russ out there for a full half, but obviously Pete Carroll did, and Wilson finished 13/21 for 193 yards, with 150 of those coming on his first five completions. His deep ball was on point, which was a pleasant sight. He had a couple of high throws but nothing too glaringly bad, and overall he was ... well, Russell Wilson. And that was without Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett.

Jaron Brown

Was that not encouraging to see? Brown is Seattle’s presumptive #3 wide receiver, and he hauled in both passes for 74 yards. I have no idea why his second catch was called defensive pass interference when it should’ve been a no-call, but nevertheless, he showed off his capabilities as a deep threat, and in limited preseason action has been a good target for Wilson.

David Moore

I don’t want to declare Moore as a certainty to make the team considering Kasen Williams tore it up last preseason, but they’ve raved about him in camp, and he had two catches for 71 yards, with the first one a spectacular grab in double coverage when I swear it was going to be picked off. Of course... that DB he beat was the same one Kasen styled on. I’m a little more confident Moore makes the team than when Williams failed to do so in 2017.

Rasheem Green

Green didn’t stand out as much early on as he did last week against the Colts, but he finished the game with 1.5 sacks and a nice tackle for loss on a shotgun run by Detrez Newsome. I’m excited about Rasheem Green, and so should you.

Michael Dickson

Dickson had three punts and averaged 53.7 yards, including a 57-yard bomb that pinned the Chargers at their own 10-yard line. He absolutely looks the part of a future All-Pro punter, and I do not think I’m being hyperbolic. Seattle’s special teams has been more mediocre than good dating back to 2014, and punting has been part of the problem. I’m convinced he’s at least part of the solution.

Alex McGough

The QB competition got a bit more interesting, as McGough appeared much more comfortable this week than he did in his debut, going 9/12 for 97 yards, as well as his first touchdown pass, a nice lob to Malik Turner that pulled Seattle within 7 points in the 4th quarter.

C.J. Prosise

This is going to look somewhat silly considering Prosise had just 47 yards on 9 touches... but he didn’t get injured, and that’s genuinely a win right there given his history. “Ineffective but finished the game” is better than “Splash play and then he turns his ankle.”

Losers

Germain Ifedi

I understand Seattle doesn’t have better options at right tackle at this point, but I struggle to see how Ifedi can seriously start a full season again. He was getting ripped apart in pass protection numerous times, including one that led to a sack on Russell Wilson. Melvin Ingram is a great pass rusher but Ifedi essentially turned him into Reggie White. The frustration is mounting, and Germain is obviously aware. I don’t see how Ifedi is getting better, but what can you do? Turn to George Fant? Willie Beavers hardly impressed in backup duty. It’s gonna be rough.

Austin Davis

A paltry 1-of-3 for 6 yards and a sack. He had zero first-downs. That was painful to watch.

Jon Ryan

Michael Dickson’s first punt went for 55 yards and no gain thanks to an impressive hangtime and great play by Shaquem Griffin. Jon Ryan’s first punt went 57 yards, didn’t have Dickson’s hangtime, and JJ Jones raced past both Jacob Martin and Delano Hill for a really easy touchdown. Martin and Hill have to be better, but Ryan is the one whose job is really under threat, and that was rough to see.

Delano Hill

This is two weeks in a row that Hill has been at the center of a failure to make a critical 3rd down stop in late-game situations. Field Gulls’ own Matty F. Brown has the quick analysis on his failure to stop Detrez Newsome on his 31-yard scamper.

Hill was also partially at fault on the punt return touchdown as mentioned before, and seems to be a liability in pass coverage. At this point, it is absolutely possible that the second-year man out of Michigan is in danger of not making the 53-man roster. Nothing he does stands out.

Mike Tyson

He looked lost in pass coverage and frankly doesn’t have the speed or awareness to be a cornerback. I would be surprised if he made the team.

Will Dissly

Chris Carson had a touchdown taken away because of a block in the back penalty by the rookie TE. On the surface, it’s an incredible lame penalty call as it’s more of a light two-handed shove on Jatavis Brown. That said, the intent was obvious and not really smart football, and you’d like to see those mistakes cleaned up, especially since it cost the Seahawks an additional four points.

Interior defensive line

Seattle’s run defense gave up 176 yards on 37 attempts. The interior of the Seahawks’ front four got pushed around at times, and also opened up huge holes for quarterbacks Geno Smith and Cardale Jones to escape pressure to gain some yards. It wasn’t an all-around bad day or anything, but definitely not a dominant night in the trenches for the Seahawks defense.

San Diego

Poor San Diego. Curt Menefee and Brock Huard called the LA Chargers “San Diego” multiple times, then referee Tony Corrente did the same thing. I understand. It still feels weird saying Los Angeles Chargers.

Winner and Loser at the same time

Chris Carson

Wow did Carson look powerful, determined, and showed great vision on his cuts and following his blockers. He had 9 carries for 34 yards, and had several impressive moments on Seattle’s first two drives, but he also had a touchdown taken away (through no fault of his own) and fumbled right at the goal line, so what could’ve been a great evening turned into a mixed evening for Carson.