Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Chargers
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterbacks
- Geno Smith: 11/18, 117 yards 0 TDs, 0 INTs | 6 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD
- Russell Wilson: 6/9, 73 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs | 3 carries, 31 yards, 0 TD
The Seahawks’ QBs both looked great in the contest. The playcalling provided no shortage of deep ball opportunities, and both QBs looked comfortable taking risky shots. Russell Wilson’s passes were absolutely superb, with plenty of power behind them. On the Seahawks’ first possession, he threw a beautiful bullet into a tiny window to WR Jacob Hollister, but unfortunately Hollister was unable to come down with it. Wilson maintained good composure in the pocket and was able to flash dual threat ability when necessary. With about 7 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Wilson had a beautiful scramble out of a collapsed pocket, and WR Gary Jennings delivered a crushing illegal blindside blow to a clueless defender. All players appeared ready and willing to make downfield blocks, which bodes well for Wilson’s ability to make plays with his legs.
Geno Smith legitimately looked like a poor man’s version of Russell Wilson. He didn’t hesitate to toss out deep throws and made them look good. I honestly assumed that Smith was completely washed up, but he looked like a great fit for the offense and could be a viable stream option if Wilson ever missed time.
Running Backs
- C.J. Prosise: 5 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD | 1 reception, 15 yards
- Rashaad Penny: 8 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD | 3 receptions, 15 yards
- Chris Carson: 3 carries, 23 yards, 0 TD
Chris Carson demonstrated his north-south bruising style early. His running in Saturday’s contest could best be described as violent. He hit holes without hesitation and looked almost frantic in his pursuit of a lane. He’s very much an aggressive early down back. However, his lack of usage in the passing game makes me a little less keen on targeting him in PPR drafts, especially considering the frequency of looks that Rashaad Penny received in the passing game.
I was initially quick to dismiss Penny in favor of Carson in all of my rankings. However, now that I’ve seen the way each is uniquely implemented into the game plan, I would personally target Penny over Carson in PPR and vice-versa in Standard formats. It’s also worth noting that in addition to his proficiency as a receiver, Penny can serve as a goalline back. His lone rushing TD came with 11:35 left in the 2nd quarter when he was able to bang it up the middle on 4th and 1 for the score, despite being initially stuffed at the line of scrimmage. It’s clear they wanted to see all that Penny could do, and his utility could provide him enough opportunity to be a value at his current ADP.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- John Ursua: 2 receptions, 52 yards, 0 TDs
- Tyler Lockett: 2 receptions, 50 yards
- Jaron Brown: 1 reception, 18 yards
- Jacob Hollister: 3 receptions, 17 yards
Let’s be honest: Tyler Lockett is the closest thing that the Seahawks have to a WR1. Fortunately for them, he looks like he could play the part. He would’ve probably had another 30+ yards and a TD if a defender hadn’t barely broken up a deep ball with about 2:00 left in the first quarter. Russell Wilson was able to narrowly avoid being sacked before slinging the ball to Lockett, who had his man beat after a filthy double move, but the defender was able to tip the ball with his fingertips and disrupt the pass. Lockett looks like he has all the explosiveness and speed to be depended on consistently in the Seahawks’ offense, and I’m definitely targeting him.
John Ursua also deserves some recognition for his play last night. He had a wild 28-yard catch-and-run down the sideline in which he avoided defenders and sidestepped to narrowly avoid stepping out of bounds. He’s small, but he’s definitely fast and he could be someone to keep an eye out for on a Seahawks team devoid of significant WR talent. Jacob Hollister looked good but is by no means a man to target. He’s more of a safety net option than a big time playmaker, so he should be valued accordingly.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterbacks
- Tyrod Taylor: 6/9, 61 yards, 0 TD | 6 carries, 34 yards
- Cardale Jones: 4/5, 50 yards, 0 TD
- Easton Stick: 12/16, 82 yards, 1 TD | 3 carries, 14 yards, 1 TD
Tyrod Taylor got the start for the Chargers in the absence of Phillip Rivers. Tyrod was pressured constantly and was quick to scramble. He looked uncomfortable at times and also missed a deep throw to a very wide open Austin Ekeler with around 10:45 left in the second quarter. I’d stay far away from him, even if Rivers misses time. It simply doesn’t look like he’s in the right place in that offense.
Cardale Jones looked better than I expected him to. His first pass was a good-looking deep ball to Artavis Scott. Jones juxtaposed Taylor’s tendency to scramble with a consistent pocket pressure and good force behind his throws. Obviously he’s a long shot to see playing time, but the team wouldn’t be completely in shambles if Jones were forced to see action.
Easton Stick came away with two scores in the contest. He obviously got to see action later in the game with lesser competition, but he could be in contention for the QB3 spot, and with Taylor and Rivers not getting any younger, he may be worth a look in deeper dynasty formats.
Running Backs
- Austin Ekeler: 4 carries, 11 yards | 2 receptions, 22 yards
- Justin Jackson: 5 carries, 13 yards | 1 reception, 4 yards
- Troymaine Pope: 5 carries, 27 yards | 3 receptions, 8 yards
Melvin Gordon, who? While the Chargers’ RB corps didn’t have particularly flashy stats, they all looked competent in the contest. Their offensive line didn’t seem to do them any favors, as they were caught up often by the Seahawks’ defense. Austin Ekeler looks like he has real potential to be a serious focal point in the offense. Had Taylor not missed him on the deep throw, Ekeler would have been the talking point of the Chargers’ offense. He’ll do great things in Gordon’s absence, and is certainly worth targeting at this point.
Justin Jackson looked solid and decisive in his cuts, but he’s not as explosive as Ekeler. I know there are truthers out there, but I just don’t see it. I think the job is Ekeler’s to run away with, especially in PPR formats. Troymaine Pope may be someone to look out for in deep PPR dynasty formats, but if Melvin Gordon comes back, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was let go.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Artavis Scott: 4 receptions, 66 yards
- Jason Moore: 1 reception, 15 yards
- Mike Williams: 1 reception, 11 yards
- Hunter Henry: 2 receptions, 13 yards
The Chargers predominantly relied on a safe short and intermediate passing game. They gave looks to a ton of their depth pieces, and the only guy to truly stand out in the contest was Artavis Scott. Not only did he have a nice deep catch from Cardale Jones, but he also took a bullet to the chest from Tyrod Taylor with 3:30 left in the first. He displayed good route running ability and hands in the contest, and is someone to keep on your radar moving forward. Would I draft him with Mike Williams there? No. However, he could claw his way up the depth chart and be a contributor in the future.
Hunter Henry was very much a safety blanket in the contest. He could be worth plugging in to your TE spot, but you could say that about almost any starting TE in the NFL. He’s not going to win you any weeks, but he won’t lose them either.
— Marshal Hickman