Week 1 Game Recap: Seattle Seahawks 9, Detroit Lions 6

What you need to know

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks’ offensive line struggled to give QB Matt Hasselbeck adequate time in the pocket and newly anointed starter LG Floyd Womack was a noticeable liability in comparison to departed all pro G Steve Hutchinson.

Despite taking numerous big hits from the Detroit pass rush QB Matt Hasselbeck was able to avoid costly mistakes and completed a respectable 25 of 30 passing attempts. Hasselbeck was shaken up on several plays including shots to the helmet and ribcage.

RB Shaun Alexander found little running room while facing eight man fronts throughout the game. The Lions routinely lined up in a five-three or five-two defensive front stacking the line of scrimmage.

WR Darrell Jackson was on the field for approximately half of the Seattle offensive plays. He showed no visible affects from his knee surgeries. WR Bobby Engram led Seattle in targets with seven while newly acquired WR Nate Burleson only saw two targets in the game, both on deep balls.

Detroit Lions

RB Kevin Jones was the focal point and most effective weapon in the Lions’ offense. Jones ran hard repeatedly breaking tackles. Of note, Jones led the Lions with nine passing targets including many designed screen plays.

QB Jon Kitna avoided mistakes, but suffered from inaccuracy. He missed open receivers on multiple plays that killed drives.

DE James Hall and DT Shaun Rogers each recorded two sacks providing a ferocious pass rush that forced QB Matt Hasselbeck to get rid of the ball quickly all game long. Their pressure completely altered the Seattle offensive game plan and dictated tempo while disrupting the Seattle rhythm passing game. Both Hall and Rogers also blocked field goal attempts on two of the first three Seahawks’ drives.

What you ought to know

QB Matt Hasselbeck, Pass: 25 - 30 - 210 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 15 - 0

Hasselbeck took severe punishment in this game. He was forced to unload passes to his check down options quickly far too often to keep the Seattle offense moving. Twice during the game he took hits that looked as if they might keep him on the sideline. Once was a helmet to helmet hit that rang his bell, the other was a shot to the chest that may have bruised some ribs. Hasselbeck owners will want to pay close attention to his injury status this coming week. His 25 of 30 passing numbers were somewhat deceiving in that lots of his passes went for only a few yards. He was unloading the ball to avoid sacks as his offensive line was struggling badly to give him adequate time in the pocket. Hasselbeck pulled it all together on their final drive converting two long second down plays and changing another play at the line of scrimmage to a successful run that gave PK Josh Brown a chance to win the game.

RB Shaun Alexander, Rush: 19 - 51 - 0, Rec: 2 - 1 - 0 (2 targets)

Alexander saw the immediate affect of LG Steve Hutchinson leaving via free agency. He was hit hard at the line of scrimmage on multiple plays. He couldn’t find any of the gapping holes that led to his MVP season a year ago. However, Alexander did grind out many tough yards and fought through tackles. Of note and a rarity, Alexander fumbled twice in the game losing one that killed the Seahawks’ second drive.

RB Mack Strong, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 6 - 30 - 0 (6 targets)

Strong made a career high six receptions. He was QB Matt Hasselbeck’s check-down on most of these receptions as Detroit was consistently bringing a fierce pass rush.

RB Maurice Morris, Rush: 3 - 23 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Morris saw his usual couple of carries through the game spelling RB Shaun Alexander. However, his 17 yard run on first and ten with only 23 seconds left in the game set up PK Josh Brown’s game winning field goal. Also of note, Morris started the game in the backfield with RB Shaun Alexander, but it was for only one play.

WR Bobby Engram, Rec: 5 - 52 - 0 (7 targets)

Engram caught all five of his receptions in the first half mostly working out of the slot. However, Seattle utilizes three wide receiver sets so often Engram could easily be considered a starter even when WR Darrell Jackson is back to full speed. Engram was targeted twice on deep passes down the seam to the end zone. CB Fernando Bryant made a great play to break up the first of these leaving his man to break up what would have been a sure touchdown as Engram had his man beat. Engram was targeted deep to the end zone on a similar play later in the game.

WR Darrell Jackson, Rec: 5 - 47 - 0 (6 targets)

Jackson was on the field for about half of the Seahawks' offensive plays. All of his targets were within ten yards of the line of scrimmage on outs and slants. His final target was short in the right flat, but instead of stepping out of bounds Jackson opted to reverse his field cutting all the way back around the formation and up the left sideline for a 13 yard gain leading to the game winning field goal. Jackson showed no ill effects from his knee surgeries that kept him off the field during the entire preseason.

WR Nate Burleson, Rec: 1 - 36 - 0 (2 targets)

Burleson pulled in a 36 yard deep ball down the left sideline on the opening Seahawk drive. He got behind the cornerback and was all alone. Burleson was oddly turned around and had to backpedal while making the catch. His only other target in the game was another deep ball just before halftime.

WR D.J. Hackett, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (1 targets)

Hackett’s lone target came on Seattle’s final drive that led to the game winning field goal. On second and 14 Hackett went up high and made a difficult catch across the middle snatching the ball with his hands while taking a hit.

TE Itula Mili, Rec: 4 - 24 - 0 (4 targets)

Mili pulled in all four of his targets. Three on short dumps across the middle of the field. He took a shot to the helmet on one of his receptions and went to the sideline for a play, but returned to the game.

PK Josh Brown 3 - 5 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 9 points

Brown had both of his first two attempts blocked at the end of the first and third Seattle possessions. However, he recovered to hit his last three attempts including a 42 yard attempt at the end of regulation to win the game.

SEA Rush Defense

The Seahawks’ front seven stuffed RB Kevin Jones for two yards or less on half of his carries, but they struggled to complete tackles and had to rely on swarming gang-tackling to bring him down. FS Ken Hamelin was guilty of not wrapping up on several plays. He dropped his shoulder looking to make a big hit instead of text-book tackles.

SEA Pass Defense

Seattle recorded three sacks and forced an intentional grounding penalty during the game. The defensive front didn’t bring much pressure and had to rely on linebackers blitzing to hurry QB Jon Kitna. CB Marcus Trufant was matched up with WR Roy Williams and held him without a reception until deep into the third quarter.

QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 21 - 37 - 229 - 0 TD / 0 INT

Kitna was met with boos from the home crowd at Ford Field as he left at halftime. He was unable to keep drives alive and convert third downs with the pass all game long. Kitna missed many open receivers simply from inaccuracy. However, he didn’t make game changing mistakes.

RB Kevin Jones, Rush: 14 - 35 - 0, Rec: 5 - 45 - 0 (9 targets)

Jones was a bright spot in a rather bleak offensive performance from the Lions. He was tough to bring down shedding initial tacklers through the game running hard. Jones was utilized extensively out of the backfield in the passing game leading the Lions with nine passing targets. Three of these plays were designed screen plays that were executed well for gains of 14, nine, and 15 yards. The Seahawks were able to focus most of their attention on shutting down Jones by sneaking their safeties up to the line of scrimmage with no fear of getting burned deep by QB Jon Kitna. Of note, Jones had an 18 yard gain off right tackle that was called back because of an illegal motion penalty on the opposite side of the field.

RB Brian Calhoun, Rush: 2 - -1 - 0

Calhoun was met in the backfield on both his carries.

RB Shawn Bryson, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (2 targets)

Bryson was limited to only a few plays during the second half. He was the target on the final Lions’ third down play from scrimmage but didn’t turn around to see the Kitna pass headed his way.

WR Mike Furrey, Rec: 5 - 55 - 0 (6 targets)

Furrey was the highlight of the Lions’ receiving game. Two of his receptions were great grabs where he took big hits and held onto the ball. With the game on the line QB Jon Kitna zeroed in on Furrey down the stretch. Furrey caught three balls on their final two possessions including two on the drive that led to the game tying field goal by PK Jason Hanson.

WR Corey Bradford, Rec: 3 - 36 - 0 (6 targets)

Bradford pulled in a 21 yard reception down the sideline on the first Lion play of the game from scrimmage. He didn’t make another reception until their second drive in second half. He pulled in a short pass and fumbled after being hit, but was lucky to have the ball recovered by a teammate. Bradford did pull in a short seven yard completion during the third quarter that was called back because of a penalty.

WR Roy Williams, Rec: 3 - 36 - 0 (7 targets)

Williams saw only one target in the first half deep down the center of the field. He had gained some separation, but was badly overthrown by QB Jon Kitna. Williams saw much more action in the second half with at least one target on each Detroit possession except their final drive. Also of note, Williams had an illegal motion penalty during the game that nullified RB Kevin Jones’ longest gain in the game.

WR Eddie Drummond, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (3 targets)

Drummond wasn’t utilized much in the passing game, but was used on an end around on the opening Detroit drive.

TE Marcus Pollard, Rec: 2 - 21 - 0 (3 targets)

Pollard had a relatively uneventful game, but nearly converted a third and 17 with a fourteen yard reception in the first quarter.

PK Jason Hanson 2 - 3 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 6 points

Hanson missed an opportunity to tie the game early in the fourth quarter when his 52 yard attempt was well short. Head coach Rod Marinelli opted to punt instead of giving Hanson another chance from 55 yards at the conclusion of the final Detroit possession.

DET Rush Defense

The Detroit front seven hit RB Shaun Alexander in the backfield or line of scrimmage on the majority of his carries. DT Shaun Rogers was a force at the point of attack abusing RG Floyd Womack on countless plays. Their ability to hold Alexander to one yard or less on half of his carries allowed the defensive line to pin back their ears and crush the pocket on obvious passing downs.

DET Pass Defense

The five Lions’ sacks of QB Matt Hasselbeck tell the story of this low scoring affair. After shutting down the Seattle rushing attack they were able to attack with reckless abandon. DT Shaun Rogers was able to collapse the pocket all game long forcing Hasselbeck to unload the ball for multiple short gains. CB Fernando Bryant had a big game in the secondary with two passes defended and breaking up a potential touchdown on a long pass to WR Bobby Engram while also leading the team in tackles.