NFL Seattle Seahawks

Lack Of Identity Dooms Seattle Seahawks In Week 6 Loss

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The Seattle Seahawks were flat out beat at home by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Running back DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys dominated the game from beginning to end in a huge 30-23 road win over the defending champions to move to 5-1 on the season. There were plenty of places where the Seahawks could have played better, but overall, they got away from their identity in this game. Head coach Pete Carroll referred to it as a “lack of rhythm,” mostly on the offensive side of the ball.

Since Carroll came to Seattle in 2010, the identity of the Seahawks has centered around running the ball, controlling time of possession and being physical on both sides of the ball. The team was unable to do any of those things on Sunday and it ultimately led to an ugly loss at home; something that has only happened twice in the Russell Wilson era.

The Seahawks were unable to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, and it largely had to do with the play-calling. Marshawn Lynch was effective every time he touched the ball, but he only had 10 carries. While the Seahawks only ran 48 plays on offense, the play-calling was too “cute” and they got away from their strength of running the football. Instead, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell tried to get wide receiver Percy Harvin going on short screen passes, which the Cowboys were all over. While Harvin is one of the most dangerous weapons in Seattle’s offense, he isn’t the identity of their offense. Giving the ball to Beast Mode is the identity of this offense. When they run the ball, they are able to control the time of possession and open things up for other players, such as Harvin. Harvin ended the day with six touches for minus-one yards, and the Seahawks only had the ball for 22:21 of the game.

The other part of the game that really stood out was how the Cowboys were able to manhandle the Seahawks’ defensive line. The league’s top rushing attack dominated the league’s top rush defense and it was the story of the game. No doubt, Dallas has the best offensive line in football, and Seattle had no answer to their physicality. On top of that, the Cowboys’ defense shut down Seattle’s offense. There’s not many teams that are able to outmuscle the Seahawks on both sides of the ball, but Dallas certainly did so on Sunday afternoon. Add the fact that this was Wilson’s worst game of his career and it all added up to a disappointing Seahawks loss.

This wasn’t a good game at all from a Seattle team that is both humbled and frustrated with their 3-2 start. But it’s early and there’s lots of season left to turn it around. This is still a good football team, but it all starts with following the identity that Carroll and his coaching staff have instilled in this organization — run the ball, control the ball and play physical. They’ll look to respond next week in a road matchup with the St. Louis Rams.

Connor Frederickson is a Seattle Seahawks Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @cfredrun or add him to your network on Google.

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