Mike Macdonald's Debut: A Mixed Bag for the Seahawks
Efficiency on First Down; Struggles on Third
In his debut as defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, Mike Macdonald's defense showed promise and areas for improvement. On first down, the Seahawks were effective in limiting yardage, allowing an average of just 4.2 yards per play. This was a significant improvement over last season, when the Seahawks allowed 5.2 yards per play on first down. However, the Seahawks struggled on third down, allowing opponents to convert 42.9% of their attempts. This was the third-highest conversion rate in the NFL in Week 1. The Seahawks' struggles on third down were particularly evident in the second half, when they allowed the Broncos to convert 6 of 10 third-down attempts.
Third Down Struggles Stemming from Missed Tackles
One of the main reasons for the Seahawks' struggles on third down was their inability to make tackles. The Seahawks missed a total of 10 tackles on third down, which allowed the Broncos to keep drives alive and extend their possessions. Missed tackles have been a problem for the Seahawks in recent years, and it's something that Macdonald will need to address if he wants to improve the team's defense.
Pressure on Quarterback, But Lack of Sacks
The Seahawks' defense was able to generate pressure on the quarterback, but they were unable to convert that pressure into sacks. The Seahawks recorded just one sack in the game, which came from defensive end Darrell Taylor. The Seahawks' lack of sacks was a bit of a surprise, given that they have a talented pass rush. However, the Broncos' offensive line did a good job of protecting quarterback Russell Wilson, and the Seahawks were unable to get to him consistently. Overall, Macdonald's debut was a mixed bag. The Seahawks showed some improvement on first down, but they struggled on third down and were unable to generate enough pressure on the quarterback. These are areas that Macdonald will need to address if he wants to improve the Seahawks' defense.
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