Seattle Seahawks: Studs and duds vs. Eagles in Wild Card Round

Despite mounting injuries, the Seattle Seahawks never trailed against the equally injured Philadelphia Eagles during Sunday’s Wild Card matchup.

While it wasn’t pretty, the Seattle Seahawks went to Lincoln Financial Field and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 17-9 in the Wild Card Round. Russell Wilson and Seattle’s pass rush shined in the team’s first playoff win since the 2016 season.

Carson Wentz did leave the game with a concussion after a controversial hit, but credit the Seahawks for handling business. Both the Seahawks and Eagles dealt with injuries heading into the game. While fans always want to see teams face each other when healthy, the injury bug continued biting both Seattle and Philadelphia on Sunday.

Next week, the Seahawks travel to Lambeau Field and face the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round. The Eagles defeated the Packers at Lambeau earlier this season.

Stud: The pass rush

The Seahawks struggled to get to quarterbacks all season. Rasheem Green, who underwhelmed as a rookie in 2018, led the team in sacks with four. He only started eight games. Quinton Jefferson finished second on the team in sacks with 3.5. However, two of those sacks came in Week 1. Jefferson’s production declined throughout the season.

Seattle’s 28 sacks in 2019 finished tied for the second-fewest among teams. Only the Miami Dolphins recorded fewer sacks with 23. However, against Philadelphia’s injured offensive line, Seattle’s pass rush finally found its rhythm.

Seattle’s defense registered seven sacks on Sunday. Jefferson led the way with two sacks, and Green contributed one of his own. Jadeveon Clowney, who the Seahawks traded for before the 2019 season, bounced back from injuries in time to play a role in the win as well.

It seems highly unlikely that Seattle’s pass rush will experience the same success against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday offered a glimpse of the defense’s potential. Now, can Seattle’s coaching staff put this unit in position for a repeat performance next week?

Dud: Tyler Lockett, WR

Lockett caught four passes for 62 yards against the Eagles. However, Wilson targeted his top receiver eight times. Those two players had an automatic connection earlier in the season and in previous years. However, Wilson’s numbers are down when targeting Lockett in recent weeks.

Admittedly, Lockett draws a lot of attention away from D.K. Metcalf. Lockett’s pull creates opportunities for the rookie wide receiver in the same way Antonio Brown created openings for JuJu Smith-Schuster on the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.

However, Wilson and Lockett need to connect more. The Eagles were the weakest team in the playoffs for the NFC. Things only get harder from here. Wilson needs his top target available and at the top of his game.