All Studs and No Duds for Seahawks in Week 7
The Seattle Seahawks had their strongest win of the season by taking down the Atlanta Falcons 34-14 on the road. Seattle looked outstanding in all phases of the game, and as such, they get their first "All Studs and No Duds" rating of the year. Yes, the run defense struggled, and I talked about it in my top takeaways of the game. But I am not going to hammer the Hawks for struggling to contain Bijan Robinson when he truly gets going. Many teams do as well.
Seattle had plenty of Studs from Sunday, and we're going to take the time to appreciate them.
No. 1 Stud - Kenneth Walker
What a memorable birthday for Kenneth Walker III. The Seahawks top running back led the way with 69 yards on 14 carries and a rushing touchdown. Walker also had two receptions for 24 yards and another score through the air. When No. 9 is in the lineup, the Seahawks offense gets taken to another level. He is a unique weapon that should be utilized heavily as long as he is healthy.
No. 2 Studs - Derick Hall and Boye Mafe
Dual Stud rankings for linebackers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall. Now in his second year, Hall has emerged as one of the better defenders on the team. Going into Sunday, Hall led the Seahawks with five sacks. Now, he is tied, as Boye Mafe's sack of Kirk Cousins gave him the same total as Hall. But I don't think Hall minds too much, as he benefitted from Mafe's sack by recovering Cousins' fumble for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.
No. 3 Stud - DK Metcalf
DK Metcalf is one of the best in the league at his position. Following a week of discourse on whether Seattle should trade him, Metcalf silenced anyone who would want the team to move on from him. He caught four-of-seven passes tossed his way for 99 yards and a touchdown. Metcalf is a game-changing talent that defenses don't often have answers for.... like the Falcons didn't.
No. 4 Stud - Coby Bryant
When you set a career first, you make the Stud list. Coby Bryant snagged the first interception of his career by picking off Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter. It was the last pass Cousins threw on Sunday, as the game was officially too far out of reach and the Falcons decided to give Michael Penix Jr. some reps in garbage time. Bryant led the Seahawks with 11 total tackles as a team as well. Seattle's safety position was hurting, and Bryant stepped up.
We are also going to give fellow safety Julian Love a shout out, as he was second only to Bryant with nine total tackles. He also snagged his second interception of the year, and first since Week 1 on Sunday.
No. 5 Stud - Michael Jerrell
From D-II football to the Stud list in his first NFL start, Michael Jerrell earned this. As the fourth string right tackle, Jerrell faced the unenviable task of providing protection on this ramshackle offensive line. Fortunately for the Seahawks, and especially Geno Smith, he played incredible football. Smith was pressured, but only sacked once. Jerrell gave Seattle's line a much-needed boost, and helped open up a huge lane for Kenneth Walker III to run through on his scoring play.
No. 6 Stud - Geno Smith
Yeah, we are going to give a little love to quarterback Geno Smith. After a rough game last week against the Niners, Smith came out firing and played solid, efficient football. Smith completed 18-of-28 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. His best play came at the end of the first half, facing a 3rd-and-15, and finding DK Metcalf 31-yards down the field in the end zone for a crucial touchdown. Smith is a quality quarterback, and the Seahawks are lucky to have him.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: All Studs and No Duds for Seahawks in Week 7
