Reporter Bob Condotta hands out strong grades for Seahawks’ opening win

Mike Macdonald referred several times this week to the Seahawks’ season opener — which was the first game of his NFL head-coaching career — as a test.

If so, it appeared the team had barely studied in the first half. After some quick cramming at halftime, the Seahawks answered enough questions the rest of the way to get a passing grade.

“Drew it up that way,’’ Macdonald said with a smile after the Seahawks rebounded from a sluggish first half to beat Denver 26-20. “Just wanted some adversity there.’’

Along the way, Macdonald and his staff passed an early test by showing the ability to make the necessary halftime adjustments — especially in mostly ditching any long-developing passes and leading with the running game while sprinkling in some quick-hitting throws.

The defense seemed on point the whole game with the caveat that Denver quarterback Bo Nix looked like what he was — a rookie making his first NFL start on the road with a rebuilding team around him.

“Hopefully we’ll make a huge jump from game one to game two,’’ Macdonald said.

The Seahawks certainly will have to be better to beat New England next Sunday.

But on this Sunday, the Seahawks passed with colors that if not quite flying, were at least off the ground.

On to the grades.

Quarterback

Speaking of starts, Geno Smith’s was gruesome as he threw an interception on his first throw of the season. Typifying the even-keel demeanor he’s displayed throughout his time with the Seahawks, he didn’t let it rattle him. He adjusted to what he had to work with around him, notably when he took off running in the second quarter and showed the athleticism he still has at almost 34 years old to scoot 34 yards into the end zone. His final third-down pass to Tyler Lockett was thrown to the only spot where it could have been completed.

Running back

You saw what a difference Kenneth Walker III can make to this offense when the team makes a concerted effort to get him the ball. Walker spent the first half shaking off tacklers the minute he got the ball. Given some room to run in the second he was brilliant, finishing with 103 yards. Zach Charbonnet showed the all-around talent that makes him a fitting complement with his 30-yard TD catch.

Grade: A-minus.

Receiver

It’s tough to grade this position since Smith had no time to throw in the first half, and the Seahawks appeared to limit their passing in the second half to short tosses, mostly to the sidelines. That’s an approach that favors Lockett, who showed why he remains as valuable as anyone on the team with six receptions on seven targets for a team-high 77 yards. The change in plan helped limit DK Metcalf to three receptions for 29 yards — and he was called for a hold that nullified a Walker TD. He will have better days. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had two receptions for 19 yards but also drew a crucial pass-interference penalty on the second scoring drive in the third quarter.

Grade: B.

Tight end

There was little passing-game production here — Noah Fant had two catches for 11 yards and that was it. In the first half, the Seahawks seemed to feel the absence of Pharaoh Brown, who was signed in large part for his blocking. They used Brady Russell and rookie AJ Barner in more blocking roles in the second half — Russell once lining up as a fullback. And they seemed to respond.

Grade: B-minus.

Offensive line

The first half was an F as the Seahawks OL could barely get out of its own way. The second half felt like a good, solid B. So put the overall grade in the middle. There are caveats to the rugged start. Center Connor Williams didn’t play in the preseason and hadn’t played since tearing his ACL Dec. 11. The line in the first half looked like it had barely played together. Right tackle George Fant left with a knee injury on the fourth series. The Seahawks seemed to simplify their plan in the second half going more with runs — and with the short passes that didn’t require the line to have to block as long.

Grade: C-minus.

Defensive line

That Denver had only 231 yards — fewer than the Seahawks allowed in all but one game last year (214 against the Bengals) — and averaged just 3.3 per play speaks to what was a solid effort by all three levels of the defense. Leonard Williams — as might be expected and hoped given his new contract — was the statistical standout with four of the nine quarterback hits, the only lineman to get any. And Denver’s running backs had just 64 yards on 20 carries, indicating the interior guys did their job well. First-round pick Byron Murphy II had two tackles as he seemed to be finding his way.

Grade: A-minus.

Linebacker

On this day, all the preseason worry over the inside linebacking duo seemed for naught. Tyrel Dodson was indeed everywhere, making 10 tackles, one for a loss, and breaking up a pass (which he would probably say he should have caught for an interception). Jerome Baker had five tackles and a fumble recovery. The two seemed to show the sideline-to-sideline speed, coverage ability and playmaking the team hoped. The outside LBs did their job, as well, as Boye Mafe had a sack, four tackles and two QB hits, while Derick Hall had three QB hits.

Grade: A.

Safety

Strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins had what quietly was one of the big plays of the day with his tackle on Denver’s first run following Smith’s interception to prevent a TD. The Broncos had to settle for a field goal and just a 3-0 lead and a tone had been set. Julian Love, in his first game as the unquestioned leader of the secondary, showed why the team entrusted him with that role making a team-high 12 tackles and an interception at the goal line in the second quarter. And third safety K’Von Wallace showed why the team wants to carve out a situational role for him, forcing the fumble Baker recovered.

Grade: A.

Cornerback

A solid day here, too, led by Riq Woolen getting his first interception of the season. The Seahawks will surely hope that is the beginning of Woolen validating that last year was just a blip (largely caused by a few injuries) and he’s on his way to another Pro Bowl year. Devon Witherspoon had seven tackles and a pass defensed as well.

Grade: A.

Special teams

This was a solid day here save for one big mistake — rookie Dee Williams muffing a punt at the Seattle 10 in the second quarter that Denver recovered. Macdonald said later the team didn’t really question his decision to try to catch that one. Williams seemed to play it safe from there. The new dynamic kickoff seemed mostly irrelevant for both sides, and Jason Myers made both of his field goals, including a 50-yarder.

Grade: C.

Coaching

Macdonald came to Seattle with a rep as a defensive guru and nothing that happened Sunday showed otherwise as the Seahawks defense played well throughout. More telling was the coaching done at halftime to adjust the offensive game plan and keep the players focused and able to execute it. A solid start for the new staff.

Grade: A-minus.

Source: https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/reporter-bob-condotta-hands-out-strong-grades-for-seahawks-opening-win-analysis/