The Seahawks have just finished the first game on their 2024 preseason schedule, defeating the Chargers on the road by a score of 16-3.
We didn’t get to see starting quarterback Geno Smith, star wideout DK Metcalf or the first-string offensive line on the field, and there’s only so much you can learn from a preseason game that doesn’t count for anything in the standings. Nevertheless, there were a few units and individual players who stood out, sometimes in positive ways and sometimes not so much. Here are our studs and duds from Seattle’s first preseason game of the year.
Stud: Starting Seahawks defense
It was only against a backup Chargers offense, but our first look at Seattle’s new starting defense was overwhelmingly a positive one. Collectively, the Seahawks ended LA’s first several drives on three and outs and only allowed 15 total yards the entire first quarter. They had standouts at all three levels. In the secondary, cornerback Riq Woolen’s coverage was sharp, rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight flashed in the middle and up front edge Uchenna Nwosu got some quality pressure against his former team.
Dud: QB Sam Howell
With Seattle’s starter Geno Smith on the sidelines, they looked to primary backup Sam Howell to lead the offense today and it could have gone better. While Howell showed some impressive mobility and arm talent, he was also sloppy and inefficient. Howell did throw one touchdown but that was mostly YAC by tight end Brady Russell. He also finished the game having completed just 16 of 27 passes and only averaged 4.8 yards per attempt. Howell also had several balls deflected and was lucky not to have thrown a couple of interceptions.
Stud: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The Seahawks sat top receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but they wanted second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njgiba to get some looks with Howell. JSN came through with a couple of slick sideline catches and some surprising blocking in the run game.
Dud: Backup offensive tackles
While they thrived defensively, things weren’t so pretty on offense, especially in the trenches where the Seahawks didn’t bother to play any starters up front. The worst of it was from left tackle Stone Forsythe and right tackle McClendon Curtis, who both got beat up in pass protection. Fortunately, they’re only the team’s fourth and fifth options at this position right now.
Stud: RB Kenny McIntosh
Third-string running back Kenny McIntosh out of Georgia didn’t play a single snap on offense as a rookie last year, so this was his in some ways his debut for this team. While he had some issues in the backfield pass blocking, McIntosh acquitted himself well as a rusher in the first half, posting 40 yards on his eight carries.
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