Craig Mitchelldyer/Associated Press
Russell Wilson chose a great time to be human.
The dislocated finger that forced Seahawks quarterback Jason Garrett from the game in halftime on Thursday night, which was 26-17 Los Angeles Rams loss, is without doubt the most important storyline.
It's an understatement to say it's major injury, even if it's minor. Seattle will be the toughest division in the NFL if the 32-year old superstar is out of action for any length of time.
Let's get to the point. The NFC West is already a stalemate for the Seahawks. With a loss in the head-to-head, they won't be able to close the gap of two games with the Rams. Or a gap of three games with the division-leading Arizona Cardinals.
The Seahawks are out of the NFC West. Wilson's finger is not the reason.
Their defense stinks.
About midway through the third period, everyone was talking about the moment. Wilson was about to throw a deep pass to Tyler Lockett that almost resulted in a touchdown, but Wilson's hand caught Aaron Donald, a Rams defensive tackle.
Wilson had a finger left pointed in a way that fingers don't normally point, and it was the result.
Wilson tried to try it with a wrapped finger but he lost interest after one more series.
Fans will then rationalize that if Wilson hadn't gone down, the Seahawks might have won the game. Russell Wilson is the king of Thursday Night Football. He would have donned his cape to lead the Seahawks in a come from behind win.
That last part is what's the problem. Seattle must win games every week with Wilson as Superman. Smith was not terrible, for what it's worthwhile. Yes, he did throw the game-sealing pass. Smith was only 10-of-17 for 131 yards, and led Seattle's 98-yard touchdown drive.
It's not bad for a guy who last saw an NFL game in 2017.
Smith wasn't the problem. Although he ran just 3.1 yards per play, Alex Collins was not the problem.
Problem was, Seattle's defense was terrible again.
As we head into Week 5, there was no other team in the league that allowed more yards per match than the 444.5 Seahawks. Seattle allowed the fifth most passing yards per match (292.5), and the 152.0 most rushing yards per match. Over the first four games, the Seahawks allowed opponents to convert 40 percent of their third downs while having nine sacks.
Seattle's defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. stated to reporters before a Week 4 matchup with the rival 49ers that his defense needed time to gel.
Norton stated, "Defense is Chemistry, it's Emotion, it's Technique." It's all the things that come together. You have to learn to play together, guys."
Elaine Thompson/Associated Press
The Seattle defense then allowed 457 yards to the 49ers team, which featured rookie quarterback Trey Lance in his first game action. The signs were clear once again. Seattle's defense was horrible.
This writing was daubed in neon green letters seven feet tall all over Lumen Field, where it was against the Rams.
Matthew Stafford, despite a broken finger, completed 25-of 37 passes for 365 yards in the win against Seattle's weak secondary. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods were wide receivers who did what they wanted, totaling 19 catches for 242 yard.
What is Seattle's Pass Rush? It didn't exist. One sack, three QB hits. Jamal Adams, Seahawks safety superstar? As has been the case in 2021, Abused in Coverage
Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson Jr. combined to rush for 119 yard and two touchdowns. The Rams averaged 7.1 yards per pass and racked up 476 yards in offense as a team.
These aren’t new issues. The Seahawks' defense was a disaster in 2020. StatMuse pointed it out that this is déjà vu all over again
The odds of a second half rebound a la 2020 aren’t as good this year. Field Gulls' John Gilbert said last week that last year's improvement was due to facing poor quarterbacks.
Only one quarterback from Seattle's nine remaining games in 2020 (Arizona's Kyler) is still with the same team. The Seahawks did not play better. They were up against worse.
The NFC West division this year is not plagued by an injured 49ers team, a weakened Cardinals team or a Rams team that has been hampered by its quarterback. A week ago, the Niners set a new season record for yards against Seattle. The Cardinals are currently the league's unbeaten team. In Seattle, the Seahawks were defeated by the Rams.
You should not forget the upcoming out of-division matchups at Green Bay and Pittsburgh.
Seattle's defense is not the only problem. The Seahawks were held to less than 100 yards on the ground, Carson being sidelined with a "long-term neck injury". The Seahawks were 18th in rush, which contributed to their last-place finish in possession time.
The Seahawks won't win if they don't have the ball.
Although the offensive line isn’t bad, it’s not great. We are basically back to where we were last year. Wilson must carry the whole team.
He must do it in a brutal division. A busted finger.
Elaine Thompson/Associated Press
Some will call this Chicken Little-ing. Wilson may be back next week. Seattle has never played a winning team until November 14, when it will travel to Lambeau Field. Russell Wilson has only missed the postseason once in nine seasons. He isn't about to begin now.
This is not a panic. This is the reality. This is the reality of the Seahawks. Wilson may have a bandage on his finger, but that's not enough to fix the problem.
Seattle is unlikely to win the NFC West. It may lose the playoffs despite this defense.
If that is the case, then the next offseason might make the last one seem like a vacation.
