Seattle Seahawks: Studs and duds vs. Falcons in Week 8

The Seattle Seahawks bounced back from a loss in Week 7 to top the Atlanta Falcons in a close 27-20 contest. Studs and duds from the key win.

After stringing together three consecutive wins, the Seattle Seahawks were crushed by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7. The 30-16 loss saw Russell Wilson throw his first interception this season. Overall, it was a total defeat with no bright spots, for Seattle. Looking at the schedule, it appeared the Seahawks had an easy matchup in Week 8 against the then 1-6 Atlanta Falcons.

Indeed, the game looked like it was already over at halftime. The Seahawks led 24-0. However, the Falcons came storming back in the second half. If not for a red zone fumble in the fourth quarter by Devonta Freeman, the game would have been much closer. Rookie safety, Marquise Blair knocked the ball out and Bobby Wagner recovered to protect Seattle’s 24-11 lead.

While the Seahawks won, the team cannot celebrate. The Falcons didn’t even have Matt Ryan, but they were one fumble shy of beating the Seahawks. Seattle’s studs and duds from the game all need to stay alert as the Week 10 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers grows near.

Stud: Bobby Wagner, LB

While the All-Pro middle linebacker did not post crazy tackle numbers, Bobby Wagner did a little bit of everything for the Seahawks on Sunday. Wagner recorded five combined tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and he had that crucial fumble recovery in the fourth quarter.

Wagner is on pace for 148 combined tackles this season, which would be the second-highest total of his career. Wagner has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last five seasons. He’s been selected as a First-Team All-Pro four times during that stretch as well.

Dud: Injuries

While the Seahawks picked up the win, it came at a cost. Staring center, Justin Britt was forced from the game in the first half with a knee injury. The Seahawks fear Britt suffered a season-ending knee injury, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Joey Hunt is listed behind Britt on the depth chart.

While Britt isn’t a great center, Wilson is on pace to be sacked 38 times this season. That’s the fewest since the Pro Bowlers rookie season in 2012 when Max Unger was the team’s center. Even if the analytics don’t give Britt much credit, he’s been essential to Seattle’s stability this season.

After the game, Rapoport reported that Pete Carroll told reporters the team feared Britt’s injury was a torn ACL.