Cigar Ideas, Sport 16: Seahawks out-wrestle Bears within the mud, preserve playoff hopes alive

Apologies to everybody whose fantasy championships had been invested on this recreation, as a result of this was an old style defensive showdown. And for as powerful because it was to observe from a “let’s see some points” perspective, there was one thing lovely within the ugliness of this recreation.

Even in an NFL that strives for factors, typically you simply must win ugly and whereas I’m certain neither teaching workers needed or anticipated this kind of recreation, it created a situation the place each defenses wanted to be good, with the slightest slip probably costing the sport.

The loopy factor is, neither protection slipped— like, in any respect. Seattle seemed like they had been on their approach to a feisty offensive efficiency after they drove the size of the sphere on their first possession. The inside O-line seemed glorious as they trap-blocked their approach to first down after first down on the legs of Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh. Geno Smith sprinkled in a couple of brief completions and it seemed just like the ‘Hawks had been in for an enormous day regardless of the unexpectedly wet situations.

However when Smith was almost picked off on third & 3 inside Chicago’s 10, forcing Seattle to accept a subject purpose, none of us thought that was pretty much as good as it could get. However because the precipitation continued to build up, neither offense was capable of maintain a drive of any significance. I don’t find out about you, however I saved ready for the dam to interrupt. In spite of everything, even the more severe situations see nearly each staff rating at the least double-digits.

However that break by no means got here, as the 2 groups traded sacks and punts, Seattle gaining a bit of greater than Chicago on the entire however neither staff making an impression with the ball int inheritor fingers. Each now and again one of many groups would kick a subject purpose to interrupt up the monotony however there was a particular “first touchdown wins” feeling to this one; besides it merely by no means occurred.

The closest anybody got here after the opening drive was a fumble return for a rating by the Bears that was simply overturned by replay. Apart from that, not even a sniff. Generally video games have scores like this as a result of each offenses look utterly inept however I truthfully didn’t really feel that approach tonight. Have been they nice, and even good? No, not particularly, however what we watched tonight had been two hungry defenses getting after it like wolves circling a wounded caribou.

The sport noticed 10 whole sacks, with the Seahawks recording a season-high seven of them. And whereas neither QB was particularly sharp, each handled their proficient receivers getting completely blanketed by the opposing secondaries, with relentless strain making it almost inconceivable to work by means of their progressions. That’s the place the guile and expertise of Geno Smith made a distinction, even throughout what was statistically one of many least spectacular video games of his Seattle tenure.

Once more, I’m not right here to laud both offense or fake one thing that wasn’t right here was, however I’m dedicated to giving my trustworthy evaluation of issues and contemplating how infinitesimally small the home windows each he and Caleb Williams needed to throw into tonight, I feel Smith was clearly the higher of the 2.

Chicago truly had an honest probability to tie and even win the sport with their closing drive nevertheless it by no means truly felt like a risk. Possibly it’s as a result of the Seahawks protection was so unrelenting or perhaps it’s as a result of the Bears are, effectively, the Bears. Both approach, the Seahawks’ prowess on the D-line mixed with Chicago’s sometimes hilarious late-game clock administration put the house staff in a precarious spot as time wound down and Riq Woolen’s game-ending interception on a Williams prayer felt nearly inevitable.

By the point these groups shuffled off the muddy halfway subject, Seattle had secured a 6-3 win and saved their playoff hopes very a lot alive. It wasn’t fairly nevertheless it didn’t should be. Like I stated on the prime, typically you gotta win ugly. The cool factor about ugly wins is that they spend the identical as the gorgeous ones.

~

SMOKE RINGS

~Usually I begin this part speaking in regards to the QB play however any dialogue in regards to the Seahawks efficiency tonight wants to start with top-of-the-line defensive performances we’ve seen from them in a really very long time. Seattle held the Bears to only 179 whole yards, together with a paltry 76 web passing yards. Say what you need in regards to the Bears’ struggles this 12 months, nobody has accomplished that to them.

I already talked about that Seattle had seven sacks tonight nevertheless it wasn’t simply because they dominated up entrance— although they did that as effectively. A whole lot of the strain— each the sort that bought dwelling and the sort that didn’t— had been a results of probably the most cohesive efficiency we’ve seen from the secondary all 12 months. The Bears managed 103 yards on the bottom however while you take away Caleb Williams’ scrambles, Seattle held Chicago to only 66 yards on 18 designed runs. All in all, simply 3.7 yards per play on the night time— an distinctive efficiency no matter situations or opponent. And whereas the staff was glorious collectively, it was made up of plenty of standout particular person performances.

Devon Witherspoon was ubiquitous tonight, taking 15 yards off Chicago’s whole with two sensational tackles for loss within the first quarter. he performed with the wanton abandon borne of elite instincts and simple confidence. there’s merely no hesitation in Witherspoon’s recreation and that was on full show tonight. Devon tied for the staff lead with six tackles whereas including a sack and was sticky in protection regardless of a slippery subject. He’s already justifying his lofty draft slot from two years in the past and seems poised to be a significant difference-maker on this protection for years to return.

~Different defensive standouts included Ernest Jones, who additionally racked up six tackles and made an indelible impression on Chicago’s backfield as a blitzer. Leonard Williams, who regardless of fixed double-teams, as soon as once more made his residing behind the opposing line of scrimmage with 5 takedowns together with two sacks and three tackles for loss. Completely outrageopus manufacturing for an inside D-lineman this season and if we’re being trustworthy, he’s been the very best participant on a protection full of excellent ones this season.

Derick Corridor supplied relentless strain, snagging a sack alongside the best way, as did Uchenna Nwosu, whereas Boye Mafe’s constant wins on the level of assault notched him 4 tackles as effectively. Jarran Reed bought in on the enjoyable too, as he picked up a drive-killing sack on third down within the second half.

~On the again finish, Riq Woolen seems to have acquired the message despatched to him when he was benched for the opening possession towards the Vikings final week. He was Seattle’s greatest cowl man tonight and even sealed the cope with an interception on the sport’s closing play. This model of Woolen is the sort you lengthen. The query stays whether or not it’s the model you’ll be able to depend on getting week after week. The Seahawks ran a variety of three-safety appears to be like which meant Rayshawn Jenkins was again on the sphere and he was stupendous. Not solely did he get a sack, he caught his nostril in in every single place and together with Julian Love and Coby Bryant, saved a agency lid on the tope of the protection.

~What we noticed tonight was precisely why the Seahawks tabbed Mike Macdonald as Pete Carroll’s alternative. They had been so sharp and so disciplined, with the protection persistently profitable at each degree. They needed to be good tonight and so they had been. I’m going to imagine the offense will likely be noticeably higher subsequent week in LA— if the protection stays anyplace near what we noticed from them tonight, the Seahawks may win this division in any case.

~Geno Smith was shaky as we speak, narrowly avoiding an early interception and failing to stuff the stat sheet the best way we’ve grown accustomed to from the third main passer within the league. He did eclipse 4,000 passing yards on the season tonight nevertheless it wasn’t fairly. Rain and strain made an aerial assault troublesome, to not point out a really proficient Bears protection. However what Smith did regardless of all of that was sufficient, as he nonetheless accomplished 74% of his passes whereas evading strain and scrambling for 19 yards. he most likely ought to’ve been sacked extra than simply the thrice given the quantity of harassment he confronted however he displayed good pocket presence and was lucky {that a} teammate pounced on the ball when he was stripped from the blindside whereas throwing. It was an uneven efficiency to make certain.

~Ken Walker was placed on IR this week, successfully ending his season. Happily, Zach Charbonnet has been superb in his stead this 12 months and that continued as we speak. Charbonnet racked up 76 yards on 18 touches on an evening the place yards had been at a premium and whereas that will appear a comparatively modest whole, it was extra scrimmage yards than every other participant had for both staff. Merely put, he’s a chain-mover and that’s an especially precious asset to have— particularly in video games like this. We even bought a bit of pop from kenny McIntosh, who picked up 46 yards on simply seven rushes. Child has some juice!

~DK Metcalf bought flagged for a private foul late Within the 2nd quarter, which elicited the predictable volley of texts and tweets. I’m not gonna re-litigate why I consider his positives dramatically outweigh his drawbacks however like just about every little thing else nowadays, strains have been drawn with DK and that’s tremendous. In relation to his penalty yards, I’ve at all times stated “just take it off the top” as a result of if you happen to did that for each WR, his manufacturing would completely nonetheless stack up.

However if you happen to’re going to accrue the penalties, you need to make up for it with contributions and in tonight it was principally a wash. Metcalf led all Seahawks vast receivers with 42 yards on three catches (together with a unbelievable shoetop seize) nevertheless it’s solely 27 web as soon as you’re taking the flag under consideration. Actually, he’s fortunate he didn’t get kicked out of this one.

~Jaxon Smith-Njigba had his first dud in a very long time however when there are solely 160 receiveing yards to go round, it’s powerful to place up massive numbers. Three for 32 for JSN as we speak. It’s tremendous. he’s tremendous.

~Bought a bit of Tyler Lockett on this one, highlighting how lengthy it’s been since he put up a significant stat line. Not that three for 20 is significant, however Seattle made some extent of concentrating on him tonight which may solely assist when it comes to opening issues up elsewhere.

~Noah Fant truly ended up because the main receiver for the Seahawks on this one, selecting up 43 yards on 4 catches and looking out spry with the ball in his fingers. For as enjoyable as AJ Barner has been, Fant continues to be probably the most proficient TE on this roster and I’d wish to see him proceed to dominate targets at that place. If I by no means see Paharoah Brown (one catch, 4 yards, misplaced fumble) contact the ball once more, that will be tremendous as effectively.

~The O-line had some hits and a few misses tonight. They had been superior on the opening drive, opening up holes with wham and lure blocks however they regressed to their imply after that. Stiull, they weren’t disastrous and sadly, that’s the usual we’re decreased to hoping they clear every week.

~One the harshest, and most under-discussed themes within the trendy NFL is the fixed state of flux amongst coordinators. In as we speak’s league, you’re both promoted or fired, and it occurs shortly. To wit, Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions is the one offensive coordinator who has held that place with the identical staff for greater than two years. Learn that once more. And truthfully, it’s solely as a result of he eliminated himself from consideration from the Commanders head teaching job.

That’s the world Ryan Grubb entered this 12 months and for as bullish as I used to be on him coming in, and for as many built-in excuses as a horrible offensive line gives, there’s rumblings about whether or not he’ll nonetheless be calling performs in Seattle subsequent season. I’d wish to see him again, however I additionally perceive that throughout the context of present coordinator fluidity, he’s not granted something. To place it succinctly, he wanted to make an announcement in these closing two video games.

And on the opening drive, he did! The runs and quick-game passing moved the Seahawks all the best way contained in the Bears’ 10, most notably behind a sequence of chunk runs from Charbonnet and McIntosh. However when confronted with a third & 3 on the finish of the possession, he opted for an empty-backfield shotgun look that led to an incomplete go. I don’t thoughts you passing there, however eradicating even the specter of a run with only a trio of yards to achieve? IDK, man… I hated that.

And it didn’t get any higher from there. In reality, it bought quite a bit worse. I imply, scheme one man open, bro. The place are the 2-3 layups to Metcalf every recreation for the straightforward 5-12 yards we’ve seen even Seattle’s dangerous OCs perceive? After a sizzling begin, the Seahawks offense has been fairly underwhelming during the last two months and whereas everyone knows the OL stinks, a part of the job is determining contingencies for that. I assume it simply doesn’t really feel like there’s a lot of an identification to this offense, which is a troublesome factor to kind while you’re 16 video games in.

There have been some rumblings from some people near the staff that Grubb is teaching for his job and tonight actually didn’t assist his trigger.

~Anytime you have got a 6-3 closing rating, you gotta have a look at the particular groups contributions and thank God they got here by means of. Jason Myers made each of his kicks together with a muddy 50-yarder that proved to be the game-winner. Michael Dickson blasted his approach to a 48-yard common on his punts, combining distance with hang-time that decreased return yardage and accuracy that pinned three of his six kicks inside the ten. Seattle’s kick and punt protection was superior too.

—

For the reason that finish of the 2021 season, the Seahawks have moved on from a franchise quarterback and a Corridor of Fame head coach. All they’ve accomplished throughout that point is put up three consecutive profitable seasons, a streak that continues with Seattle getting their ninth victory of the 12 months tonight. It hasn’t at all times seemed or felt pretty much as good as we’d like, nevertheless it’s laborious to not name this a profitable season given the context of the roster and the near-total inexperience of the teaching workers.

They’ve stumbled and bumbled this season, however they’ve additionally rumbled— with profitable streaks of three and 4 video games respectively. In consequence, they might very effectively have an opportunity to win the NFC West subsequent week in Mike Macdonald’s debut season as head coach. That, to me, is an enormous win. And even when they don’t profitable seasons are factor and so they present proof of idea that the message can work.

I’d like to see this staff on the market whipping ass each week however that’s not the way it works within the NFL and it’s actually not the way it works with a first-time HC and a faulty offensive line. However like I at all times say, wins are wins and the Seahawks have garnered sufficient of them to make Week 18 actually matter for one thing— and that counts for one thing.

We’ll have a a lot clearer sense of the stakes after the Rams-Cardinals recreation this weekend however we will all go to mattress tonight realizing the Seahawks did their half. I can’t wait to see what this text appears to be like like subsequent week however within the meantime, onward and upward my pals.

—

***Protecting this right here for the remainder of the season — simply need y’all to understand how a lot I recognize y’throughout all these years***

Guys, I can’t let you know how a lot I’ve loved penning this column during the last 13(!) years. It’s with equal components gratitude and sorrow that I announce this will likely be my closing season writing Cigar Ideas.

Few issues have given me larger pleasure than recapping Seahawks video games for y’all around the years and I’m eternally grateful for the unbelievable help y’all have proven this column over time. I’m proud, appreciative, and glad.

The podcast will proceed.

—

As most of you recognize, Cigar Ideas can also be a podcast. Try this week’s dialog with ESPN’s BRADY HENDERSON:

—

ALSO — CIGAR THOUGHTS IS NOW ON BLUESKY. JACSON IS ON BLUESKY HERE.

And if you happen to didn’t know, we even have our personal cigars now, which you’ll be able to order under:

~~ORDER YOUR OFFICIAL CIGAR THOUGHTS CIGARS HERE~~—

I’ve been obsessive about the brand new launch of Cigar Ideas RedZones however as we speak I went again to the Cigar Ideas Originals and man, I forgot simply how easy these are. A contact darker than the RedZones, so we’ve bought you coated for whichever temper you’re in.

We’ve linked up with one of many premier cigar producers on the earth to supply a particular 13-year-aged mix of Dominican tobacco leaf to Cigar Ideas readers for lower than half of MSRP. These cigars, banded and branded by their creator, promote for $35-$40 per stick however we’re capable of provide them to you for simply $149 for a bundle of 10. They arrive with a Mylar bag and Boveda humidification pack so that they’ll keep contemporary whether or not you have got a humidor or not. Simply use the hyperlink!

—

We’re additionally on YouTube, the place you’ll be able to catch clips from the podcast in addition to total video episodes. That is perhaps one of the simplest ways to help Cigar Ideas, so I recognize the few seconds it takes to love and subscribe.

—

—

We’re thrilled to associate with The Balvenie, considered one of my favourite distilleries. I completed the 21-year Portwood and just lately tapped into the 14-12 months American Bourbon Barrel. This one combines old-school oakiness with a softer method than I anticipated. I’ll most likely save this one for non-cigar nights although, because it’s a bit of mild. I’ll return to one thing with a bit of extra kick subsequent week.

—

The 2024 season of Cigar Ideas can also be proud to be sponsored by Fairhaven Flooring in Bellingham, WA.