Seattle Seahawks: Studs and duds from Week 4 vs. Dolphins
By Samuel Teets
The Seattle Seahawks hung on to a thin lead against the Miami Dolphins, pulling off a 31-23 win. Seattle advanced to 4-0.
With a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Week 4, the Seattle Seahawks have started 4-0 in the 2020 NFL season for the first time since 2013, when they went 13-3 and won the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks cut it closer than they needed to against Miami, recovering an onside kick in the final two minutes to deny Ryan Fitzpatrick a chance at the comeback. There’s a lot for Seattle to fix, but a 4-0 start puts Russell Wilson’s team in first place in the NFC West.
While the Seahawks picked up a win, everything wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Miami pushed Seattle during the second half, keeping the lead in single digits. The Seahawks certainly had some studs and duds in the matchup.
Stud: Chris Carson, RB
Carson suffered a first-degree sprain in his knee during Week 3 when Dallas’ Trysten Hill unnecessarily rolled on the back’s legs. Head coach Pete Carroll later revealed his frustrations with the play on ESPN 710 Seattle, “I was really pissed about that one. I don’t know what’s going to happen with that, but I was pissed because that guy hurt him, unfortunately.”
Carson’s teammates also expressed their displeasure with Hill, especially K.J. Wright. Fortunately, the injury didn’t cost Carson any significant playing time. Instead, Carlos Hyde missed Sunday’s showdown at Hard Rock Stadium. With his backup out, Carson carried a heavy load for Seattle. He finished the game with 16 carries and three receptions.
After rushing for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, Carson got off to a slow start in 2020. He averaged 52.3 rushing yards per game during the first three weeks, but the former seventh-round pick found some momentum in Week 4. Carson averaged 5.0 yards per carry on his way to a two-touchdown day. The back also racked up 80 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards, meaning he led Seattle in yards from scrimmage.
Last year, Carson averaged 18 carries per game. He hasn’t hit 18 carries in a single game yet. Maybe Wilson’s incredible season is taking snaps from Carson, or perhaps this is Seattle’s way of preserving Carson’s legs. Either way, look for the Seahawks to get Carson more touches in future games.
Dud: The final score
Can you put the final score in an article like this? Yes. The Seahawks advanced to 4-0 with their 31-23 victory, but this marks the third consecutive week where Seattle only won by one score. Carroll’s team can’t put opponents away, and Brian Flores’ team hung around for way too long.
Seattle has the makings of an elite offensive team, but the Seahawks can’t continue playing down to their opponents’ levels. The Miami matchup should’ve been an easy outing. Instead, it came down to a failed onside kick.