Seattle Seahawks: Studs and duds vs. Browns in Week 6
By Samuel Teets
Stud: Russell Wilson, QB
Was there ever any doubt that Wilson would appear in one of these spots? He might as well own a position for the rest of the season. At this point, Wilson is in the same class as Patrick Mahomes. Both quarterbacks are playing at MVP levels.
Against the Browns, who were missing their top two cornerbacks, Wilson completed 23 of his 33 pass attempts (69.7 percent) for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson also used his legs, running nine times for 31 yards and another touchdown. His passer rating was an impressive 117.6.
Wilson is now tied with Mahomes for the league lead in passing touchdowns at 14. However, Wilson also has three rushing touchdowns while Mahomes has none. Among players with at least 50 pass attempts, Wilson’s 124.7 passer rating leads the NFL. He has yet to throw an interception this season. Consider his MVP candidacy well underway.
Dud: Seattle’s pass rush
When the Seahawks signed Ezekiel Ansah and traded for Jadeveon Clowney, they expected the pass rush would be decent at least. Even without Jarran Reed, the additions of Ansah and Clowney should have an impact on the defensive front. However, both additions failed to make an impact on Sunday. Rookie first-round pick L.J. Collier also failed to make a difference. The Seahawks didn’t sack Mayfield during the game.
Ansah does deserve credit for recovering a Chubb fumble, but that was his greatest contribution on the day. I haven’t called out Ansah much this season because he’s been injured, but the veteran pass rusher has failed to make an impact when Seattle needs it. I’ve also avoided targeting Collier because the rookie has only appeared sparingly.
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The real player that deserves criticism here is Clowney. The three-time Pro Bowler wasn’t even able to get a quarterback hit on Mayfield even though Cleveland’s quarterback was under constant pressure last week against San Francisco. The Browns don’t have a great offensive line, the Seahawks just have a bad pass rush.