All-22 Musings: Tyler Lockett scorches the Cardinals

For the first time this season, the inevitability of the Seahawks and Russell Wilson was not proven to be true. Both a regulation lead and possession in overtime were lost as the Cardinals furthered Seattle’s desert nightmares, as Arizona prevailed to drop the Seahawks to 5-1 on the season.

Seattle’s first loss of the season will be remembered for uncharacteristic mistakes from Wilson and that DK Metcalf play. However, we were also treated to an all-time performance from Tyler Lockett. That stunning showing and more will be celebrated here.

[SEA 1-10 SEA 25] (15:00) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep left to T.Lockett to ARZ 41 for 34 yards (P.Peterson)

The game began with Russell Wilson becoming the Seahawks’ all-time leader in completions, dropping a rainbow into Tyler Lockett’s waiting hand. Lockett has become utterly elite at tracking the football and using subtle contract to create enough separation at the catch point—he does that here and it results in a stunning throw and catch.

[SEA 1-Goal ARZ 3] (12:03) R.Wilson pass short left to T.Lockett for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN

Dre Kirkpatrick, absolutely tormented by Lockett on Sunday night, is bailed out by a slip here. However, make no mistake: Lockett had already left him for dead. At the top of his route, Lockett gives Kirkpatrick a vertical step before whipping out toward the sideline for the easy touchdown.

[ARZ 2-8 ARZ 27] (6:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) K.Murray pass incomplete deep right to D.Arnold

If you hold reservations about Jordyn Brooks’ ability to play in space and effectively carry tight ends and running backs down the field, this is exactly the type of play you want to see. Brooks has absolutely no issue turning his hips and opening up to run downfield with Dan Arnold, an extremely promising moment for Seattle’s first-round pick. (For what it is worth: Arnold has good athleticism for a tight end, testing in the 83rd percentile among receivers as a prospect.)

[ARZ 1-10 ARZ 36] (5:36) (Shotgun) K.Drake left end to ARZ 35 for -1 yards (L.Collier)

Really strong play from both Poona Ford and L.J. Collier at the point of attack to create a tackle for loss. The Seahawks’ complete lack of a pass rush is made even more frustrating because it overshadows Collier, Ford, Jarran Reed, and others making Seattle’s front incredibly hard to run against.

[ARZ 1-10 SEA 43] (3:52) J.Jones reported in as eligible. K.Drake up the middle to SEA 43 for no gain (B.Mone; J.Brooks)

Speaking of which.

What a grown-man play from Bryan Mone, who has been so steady for the Seahawks all season long as a run defender, shedding the center and combining with Brooks to stop Kenyan Drake for no gain. Depending on the type of shape Damon Harrison is in, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Mone retains his role as the third defensive tackle in the rotation, even once Harrison comes in.

[ARZ 1-19 ARZ 31] (11:26) (Shotgun) K.Murray pass short left to D.Hopkins to ARZ 32 for 1 yard (P.Ford). FUMBLES (P.Ford), touched at ARZ 32, RECOVERED by SEA-K.Wright at ARZ 31

An awesome effort from Ford leads to a turnover, with Seattle’s nose tackle recognizing the screen, working down the line, and throwing Deandre Hopkins to the turf and dislodging the football. Ford has been one of the few steady presences on defense this year and has popped up with a few more splash plays—including this highly unusual one.

[SEA 1-Goal ARZ 3] (9:08) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short right intended for C.Carson INTERCEPTED by B.Baker at ARZ 2. B.Baker to SEA 8 for 90 yards (D.Metcalf)

This is the one you have all been waiting for, right?

22.64 miles per hour.

114.8 yards to chase Budda Baker down.

DK Metcalf. What a freak of nature.

[ARZ 3-Goal SEA 2] (7:34) J.Jones reported in as eligible. K.Murray left end to SEA 3 for -1 yards (J.Brooks)

If the first clip of Brooks, carrying Arnold downfield, is a sign of what people weren’t sure he could do, then this clip is exactly what he was expected to do. Brooks’ play speed is absolutely phenomenal and exactly what the Seahawks needed in their front seven. It’s a magnificent display of just that here, as Brooks chases down one of the league’s quickest and most elusive runners in Kyler Murray. Look at Brooks’ burst when he flattens out and closes on Murray—that is some closing speed right there.

[SEA 1-10 SEA 14] (5:31) (Shotgun) R.Wilson left end to SEA 48 for 34 yards (D.Kirkpatrick)

Seattle went back to the triple option for the second time this season and once again it worked brilliantly, with Wilson dashing through the defense for a 34-yard gain. Though I wish the offense still utilized Wilson more on option runs, I understand the rapid decrease in them in recent years. (Also: Look at Damien Lewis getting out in front—what a player he already is.)

[SEA 2-10 ARZ 24] (4:10) C.Hyde left end for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN

The entire left side of the offensive line blocks this well, but what a play from the veteran Duane Brown especially, taking Patrick Peterson for a ride and allowing Carlos Hyde to scamper up the sideline. Even last season in the midst of a knee injury, Brown did so well as a puller and in space and that has continued this year.

[SEA 1-10 SEA 47] (1:06) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short middle to T.Lockett ran ob at ARZ 37 for 16 yards (B.Baker)

This is an absolutely filthy move from Lockett just short of the sticks, pulling up as if he is going to dart upfield and then still shooting toward the sideline after Kirkpatrick has slipped to the turf. “Lockett embarrasses Kirkpatrick” was a beat hit often on Sunday night and here, it set up the Seahawks perfectly at the end of the first half.

[SEA 1-20 ARZ 47] (:51) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep right to T.Lockett for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN

Wilson decides to accelerate the end-of-half drive by launching a ridiculous bomb to Lockett, some 55 yards downfield into double coverage. Wilson releasing the ball when he does tells you all you need to know about the belief he has both in his ball placement and in Lockett’s ability to come down with pretty much anything Wilson throws his way.

[ARZ 2-7 SEA 46] (13:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) K.Murray pass short right to D.Hopkins to 50 for -4 yards (K.Wright)

Someone needs to tell the Cardinals they will need more than just two blockers if they want to stop K.J. Wright from destroying a screen pass. A putrid effort from Hopkins’ blockers and Wright’s mastery of screen-wrecking, coming together for a big loss on second down—a beautiful thing.

[SEA 2-4 SEA 39] (10:23) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short right to W.Dissly to SEA 49 for 10 yards (J.Hicks)

Nothing like a little sidearm action from Wilson, flipping a quick shot between two defenders to Will Dissly who takes it for a first down. Wilson is changing his arm angle and delivering like that on a near-weekly basis this season, just another sign he is really feeling it.

[SEA 3-4 SEA 49] (14:08) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short right to T.Lockett to ARZ 35 for 16 yards (B.Baker)

Sometimes, Lockett just leaves you shaking your head—there cannot be many more thankless coverage tasks in the NFL. Seattle’s wideout completely shakes Byron Murphy at the top of his route, giving the former Husky a little hesitation and a step to the outside to freeze him, before scurrying away for the 16-yard gain. It was an absolutely unbelievable game from Lockett.

[SEA 4-2 ARZ 3] (6:50) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass incomplete short left to T.Lockett. Seattle challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short left to T.Lockett for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN

There are few things I love more than when Wilson and Lockett try to out do one another on a throw and catch. Wilson fades back, releases a flawlessly arching ball to the back of the end zone? That’s fine, Lockett will just make one of the most difficult toe-tapping touchdown catches of the season. They’ll just keep on upping the degree of difficulty, because evidently nothing is all that hard for these two when they combine.