The Seahawks' run game didn't get going in Washington, but why?
The Seattle Seahawks' 33-31 loss to the Washington Commanders was a nice little reality check for Mike Macdonald.
But the manner of the loss was a little odd.
Sam Darnold, in his first game back from injury, had a whopping 45 pass attempts, the most he's had in a game since Week 13 of the 2019 season.
But there was a reason for that. The run game couldn't get going.
Just 44 yards on the ground from Jadarian Price (15), Emanuel Wilson (14), George Holani (10), and Darnold (5) meant that the Seahawks were forced to throw it all over the yard in less-than-ideal conditions.
But what was the reason for the poor performance on the ground?
“Credit to Washington did a great job, and also we feel like there's plenty of room to grow,” Macdonald said. “So I think it's a function of real time execution and also finding solutions as the game goes. Also the way the game was going of some things we wanted to be able to do offensively in the pass game and in the screen game.
"So I think it's a process thing, we stick to our process and really with our whole team right now, and the message after the game was I think we'd feel the same way after the game whether or not we closed it out and found a way to win."
The Seahawks' 44 rushing yards were easily the worst return of the season and the worst in the Macdonald era.
But there is a silver lining. Seattle still nearly won.
So, it isn't panic stations for the Seahawks' run game just yet, but next week, against the Los Angeles Chargers, the rushing attack better produce, otherwise questions will be asked of Brian Fleury.
The Seahawks have shown they can run the ball in the opening two weeks, and maybe we just put it down to a bad day for the offense and credit the Commanders for their game plan.
Because when you make a team one-dimensional, it makes things a lot easier, and Washington took down the champs because of it.
