Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore’s NFL-best protection final yr, was main one of many worst rush defenses within the league earlier this season. However Seattle constantly stuffed the Cardinals, who got here in because the fifth-best working crew within the league at 149.4 yards per sport.
“Three games in a row now we played pretty decent on defense,” Macdonald mentioned. “There is an expectation and standard here throughout the course of our Seahawks history that we’re trying to live up to and build on. So that’s the idea.”
At 6-5, the Seahawks drew even with the Cardinals within the tightly bunched division. The groups play one another once more in two weeks at Arizona.
What’s working
Final month’s commerce for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has clearly paid off. Seattle hasn’t allowed a working again to hurry for greater than 79 yards since its Week 8 loss to Buffalo, which was Jones’ first sport in a Seahawks uniform. He has led the crew in tackles in each sport he’s performed and has helped resurrect the run protection.
What wants assist
The Seahawks’ run sport continues to underperform. Seattle received 65 yards on the bottom Sunday, with the Cardinals holding Kenneth Walker III to 41 yards on 16 makes an attempt. Zach Charbonnet had 22 yards on six carries.
Walker hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb wants to think about one thing totally different to get the working backs concerned.
Top off
Williams single-handedly disrupted the Cardinals with 2 1/2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one go defensed.
“I thought he was dominant,” Macdonald mentioned. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and he played out of his mind.”
The Seahawks completed with 5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, 5 tackles for loss and 6 go deflections in opposition to the Cardinals, shutting down a crew that had averaged 29.3 factors over its earlier three video games.
Inventory down
Geno Smith completed with 254 yards passing and a landing, however he threw one other momentum-stalling interception. Smith was picked off on a third-and-6 play on the Arizona 18-yard line initially of the fourth quarter, ending an 11-play, 73-yard drive.
Smith has an NFL-most 12 interceptions this season, greater than in both of his earlier two seasons because the Seahawks’ full-time starter.
“That was a huge drive for us. … Obviously made a terrible mistake down there, something I got to clean up,” Smith mentioned. “But it was a big drive. We wanted to put the game ahead at least two scores.”
The offensive line has contributed to the issue. Guard Anthony Bradford left with an ankle damage, and the road struggled to guard Smith, who was sacked 5 instances.
Accidents
Macdonald mentioned Bradford is anticipated to overlook subsequent week’s sport.
Key quantity
77 — Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the crew with six catches for 77 yards and a landing, marking the fourth consecutive sport that Smith-Njigba has led the crew in receptions. He topped 100 yards receiving within the earlier two video games.
“He’s getting open,” Smith mentioned. “He’s catching the ball. He’s doing a great job in the screen game. All-around great player. I just think the way that teams are playing us coverage-wise, I feel like it’s the ultimate sign of respect.”
Up subsequent
The Seahawks play on the struggling New York Jets on Sunday.