What We Saw: Week 1

Deebo Samuel became the King of the Jungle after his performance against the Lions.

Ben Brown
What We Saw 3 Years Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Cowboys @ Buccaneers
Eagles @ Falcons
Steelers @ Bills
Vikings @ Bengals
49ers @ Lions
Cardinals @ Titans
Seahawks @ Colts
Chargers @ Football Team
Jets @ Panthers
Jaguars @ Texans
Browns @ Chiefs
Dolphins @ Patriots
Packers @ Saints
Broncos @ Giants
Bears @ Rams
Ravens @ Raiders

Seahawks @ Colts

Final Score: Seahawks 28, Colts 16

Writer: Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)

 

This entire game felt like it was played at half speed and was just a slugfest. The reality was Seattle consistently moved with purpose, rarely moving backward and scoring some authoritative touchdowns. The Colts always seemed like they were going to take a jump, but sputtered out every time they grabbed on to some momentum. A healthy combination of penalties, far too many QB pressures, and a running game that never really clicked ground down their efforts and left fans wanting. As for Seattle, they are not going to let go of the run game, regardless of who is given the OC title, as Russell Wilson attempted just 10 first-half passes. Their first drive featured only 2 passes: an incompletion and a 24 yard TD to Tyler Lockett. When you run for over 60 yards on the other 7 plays, it allows you the luxury of picking your spots to throw. But, if this isn’t just an outlier, this pattern of heavy running and limited passing will hold everyone back yet again and Seattle will be squandering what they have in Wilson.

 

Seattle Seahawks

 

Quarterback

 

Russell Wilson: 18/23, 254 yards, 4 TD | 5 carries, 9 yards

 

Call him DangeRuss, Mr. Unlimited, or whatever he goes by, just make sure you call him elite. This was just another game you can add to his constantly growing highlight reel of a career. If you looked at his numbers and saw he only threw for 250 yards, you would think he had a quiet game. That’s until you realize he had 4 touchdown passes and 3 of those came before he had 3 incompletions. One of the best throws of the week was an easy-looking 69-yard dime to Lockett that traveled in the air from the Seattle 23 to the Indianapolis 18. It hit him in stride for a walk-in TD. They need to let Russ cook. They won’t win with what they have without letting him do so.

 

 

Running Backs

 

Chris Carson: 16 carries, 91 yards | 3 targets, 3 catches, 26 yards

Rashaad Penny: 2 carries, 8 yards

DeeJay Dallas: 1 carry, 5 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards

 

There was a clear divide in the RB room this week. Chris Carson ceded only 3 carries and he was impressive with his workload. The offensive line did a good enough job of creating running room in front of him and he hit every hole with a burst. In classic Carson fashion, though, he was handing out spin moves and jump cuts to all that wanted them but was also consistently giving them good gains on early downs and converting when needed. Carson had a small role in the passing game this week in terms of quantity, but 3 targets on only 23 total passes is actually encouraging for a limited pass-catching back like Carson. Penny and Dallas were inconsequential, which is a downturn for people expecting Penny’s role to grow.

 

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

Tyler Lockett: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD

DK Metcalf: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Will Dissly: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 37 yards

Gerald Everett: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 20 yards, TD

D’Wayne Eskridge: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards | 2 carries, 22 yards

 

Can we please stop disrespecting Tyler Lockett? The man makes plays week in and week out, and still, we talk about him like he’s an afterthought to DK Metcalf. When you see the adjustment he made on his 1st TD, I want you to really appreciate how difficult that play was. That was 100% Wilson just thinking, “Eh, I’ll just float it over and let Tyler figure it out,” and did he ever. He missed some time in the game and the Seahawks went away from the pass as their defense was smothering for long stretches, so he only finished with 4 catches, but averaging 25 yards a catch will do.

 

 

DK had zero targets in the 1st half. Zero. None. But, with a changing game script and a roughed-up Lockett, he saw 5 targets and ended with a respectable stat line. I wouldn’t say him being uninvolved is alarming or even worrisome, as we don’t know the supposed new-look offense’s tendencies just yet and it could be one of a hundred reasons. I would definitely keep an eye on what he does in the next couple of days, especially tracking his target share by half. For now, let’s see if he comes back with a 7/150/2 line next week while Lockett takes a backseat. Seems their way.

 

 

Will Dissly out-targeted Gerald Everett, which was a bit of a bummer for managers looking for that TE diamond in the rough. The upside was that Everett found the end zone and looked all the part of an explosive weapon for Russ. When Seattle is forced to open the playbook a bit more, there should be some big games involved, just not in a run-heavy fight like this. Until then, just enjoy this Dissly stiff arm. It’s a thing of beauty.

 

 

Indianapolis Colts

 

Quarterback

 

Carson Wentz: 25/38, 251 yards, 2 TD, 3 Sacks | 4 carries, 23 yards

 

Wentz got plenty of cardio in today. This offensive line got uncharacteristically worked all game and Wentz did everything he could to limit the damage to only 3 sacks, not including 2-point conversions. He had a nice pass to Parris Campbell on a play-action that ended up as Parris’ lone catch of the game, but it made me wonder why they didn’t go to that well more often. There were a lot of screens to fight the pressure, but even those seemed not quite good enough to get the offense moving. All things considered, it was a good first game with a new team, in what seemed like a simplified version of the playbook. It makes me wonder if his missed time is affecting their ability to get more creative.

 

 

Running Backs

 

Jonathan Taylor: 17 carries, 56 yards | 7 targets, 6 receptions, 60 yards

Nyheim Hines: 9 carries, 34 yards, TD | 8 targets, 6 receptions, 48 yards

 

The good news is Jonathan Taylor got heavy involvement in this game. The bad news is it didn’t seem to matter. Despite getting 24 opportunities, he struggled all game to convert on money downs and establish a presence on the ground. The offensive line did not do anyone any favors today and sadly, that included JT. He did have a TD called back on a penalty, which later led to a Pascal TD, so there was a glimmer of a big game in the makings. The passing game involvement is encouraging, as he almost matched Hines in targets, but that should come down a little as there shouldn’t be many games like this for the offensive line. Nyheim Hines received 17 opportunities and that level of workload should be sustainable. He looked good lined up out wide and made a couple of good grabs, looking more like a receiver than a back.

 

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

Zach Pascal: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD

Michael Pittman Jr: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 29 yards

Parris Campbell: 3 targets, 1 reception, 24 yards

Mike Strachan: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards

Jack Doyle: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 21 yards

 

With no one getting more than 5 targets, it’s pretty tough to determine who will eventually finish as the team’s WR1. Parris Campbell moved well and more importantly, stayed healthy in his limited action. Clearly, he is being eased in by HC Frank Reich, which makes sense as he was injured last year right after having a 9-target game out of the gate. His play was encouraging; he was creating separation and moving at full speed on a beautiful PA pass. He should receive a heavier workload as the playbook opens up and everyone becomes acclimated to the offense with Wentz under center. Zach Pascal looks to be a favorite of the coaching staff, but I’m not sure how that really affects his target share moving forward. He has strong hands and made some physical catches, helping out Wentz in a couple of spots. He seems worth a speculative add as he now seems as likely a candidate as any other to lead them. It also doesn’t hurt that he showed Wentz he can be a trusted target.

Pittman Jr. makes me a bit nervous. You have Campbell getting eased in, TY Hilton is banged up, and the best he could manage with all of that working for him was 3 catches on 4 targets. After a disappointing target percentage last year, I was hoping he could take a step forward with Wentz. This is absolutely worth monitoring. Doyle and Cox offer almost nothing. They are there because they can block, and the line is not fully healthy. I would love to see what Kylen Granson can do with a QB that historically loves targeting TEs.

 

 

— Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)

Series Navigation
Introduction
Cowboys @ Buccaneers
Eagles @ Falcons
Steelers @ Bills
Vikings @ Bengals
49ers @ Lions
Cardinals @ Titans
Seahawks @ Colts
Chargers @ Football Team
Jets @ Panthers
Jaguars @ Texans
Browns @ Chiefs
Dolphins @ Patriots
Packers @ Saints
Broncos @ Giants
Bears @ Rams
Ravens @ Raiders

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