Week 8 Game Recap: Seattle Seahawks 28, Kansas City Chiefs 35

What you need to know

Seattle Seahawks

Serious injuries have taken their toll on the Seattle Seahawks. Already facing games without perennial all pro running back Shaun Alexander and wide receiver Bobby Engram, Seattle now must contend without quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Seattle had Seneca Wallace start at quarterback. This was Wallace’s first game as a starter for the Seahawks.

Wallace exceeded the expectations of everyone outside of Seattle. He completed 50% of his passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. He also showed promise as a running quarterback gaining 18 yards on four carries and eluding the pass rush occasionally with his quick moves. He made a few rookie type mistakes, including tossing two interceptions, but he showed quite a bit of skill and poise, offering Seattle hope while he fills in until Hasselbeck recovers.

Alexander’s running back replacement, Maurice Morris, did not fare near as well as he was consistently stopped by a strong Kansas City rushing defense. Seattle could not mount any ground attack.

Mistakes by Kansas City and some good special teams play by Seattle almost managed to take this game from the Chiefs. Seattle recovered three of five Kansas City fumbles. On one mishandled snap for a field goal try, Kansas City holder Dustin Colquitt picked up the ball and appeared ready to throw the ball but instead dropped it. Kelly Herndon picked it up and returned it 61 yards for a Seattle touchdown.

Wallace had one pass batted by Chiefs’ player Tamba Hali and intercepted by Jared Allen. While Allen took off running with it, Deion Branch caught up with him and took the ball away, recovering it for the Seahawks.

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City has finally improved their season record to better than .500. They came in with cause for worry at quarterback. Huard had suffered this past week with a groin pull and was in doubt up until almost game time. Rookie Brodie Croyle had even been practicing with the first team during the week. Huard seemed mostly recovered as he started and played the entire game.

While not displaying great mobility, he managed to elude the occasional pass rush and consistently hit the open receivers. He spread the ball around well and had an exceptional game for the Chiefs. He completed 17 of his 25 pass attempts for 312 yards and passed for one touchdown. He spread the ball around impressively, with tight end Tony Gonzalez and wide receiver Eddie Kennison each hauling in six passes for over 100 yards.

With excellent performances from so many Chiefs, the most outstanding day was had by running back Larry Johnson. He seems to be getting stronger as the season moves along and is accumulating pro bowl type statistics. For this game he made his fantasy owners everywhere ecstatic. He ran for three touchdowns while accumulating 155 yards on a team record 39 carries. He also caught two passes, one for a nine yard touchdown. He regularly ran through would be tackles.

Kansas City never had a three and out offensive series during this contest. Seattle only had one three and out series during the game and that was in the fourth quarter. Kansas City usually looked good on defense, but allowed Seattle to stay in on the virtue of big plays.

Kansas City Coach Herm Edwards stated that despite Huard’s excellent play, as soon as Trent Green is healthy, which should be in the next two weeks, Green will be reinstated as the Kansas City starting quarterback.

What you ought to know

QB Seneca Wallace, Pass: 15 - 30 - 198 - 3 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 4 - 18 - 0

Wallace did not get the win he would have liked in his first start, but he did play well. He displayed the skills and poise you would hope for in a second string quarterback. While making the occasional first time starter blunders, he compiled 198 yards on 15 of 30 passing. Good maneuverability allowed him to evade tacklers in the pocket, providing time for receivers to get open for a few big plays. Wallace should get another start next week as Hasselbeck recovers from his knee injury.

RB Maurice Morris, Rush: 12 - 25 - 0 (1 targets)

Morris did not get untracked and did not make anyone forget injured running back Shaun Alexander. He had a woeful 2.1 yards per carry average. Morris has shown promise in the past but does not currently appear dependable for fantasy production.

RB Mack Strong, Rush: 2 - 4 - 0, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Fullback Mack Strong did not receive much attention. He rushed twice for four yards and caught one of two passes thrown in his direction.

RB Josh Parry, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets)

Fullback Josh Parry was only targeted once in the game and that happened on the final Seahawks’ drive.

WR Darrell Jackson, Rec: 3 - 64 - 1 (8 targets)

Jackson is still the go to receiver for the Seahawks. He was targeted eight times. He only pulled in three passes but one was a huge break away play covering 49 yards for a touchdown. Jackson and Branch make for a formidable wide receiver tandem.

WR D.J. Hackett, Rec: 3 - 25 - 1 (4 targets)

Hackett looked good playing as the number three receiver in this contest. He performed well, catching three of four passes thrown his way, including one for a touchdown.

WR Deion Branch, Rec: 2 - 45 - 0 (7 targets)

Branch is making Seattle’s trade with New England look good for the Seahawks. He looked like the Super Bowl MVP he was once named when he made an incredible one handed catch while doing a 360 degree spin. After a challenge, the play was reversed, but Branch brings a nice compliment to Darrell Jackson. He caught only two of the seven passes thrown his way, but that did not seem his fault as the passes were often off target. Branch provides an all out attitude that will inspire his teammates. This was evidenced on one play where the pass was tipped then intercepted by the Chiefs’ Jared Allen. Branch caught up with Allen and took the ball away from him from behind.

WR Nate Burleson, Rec: 1 - 21 - 0 (1 targets)

Burleson was expected to produce well in his new environs this year but has fallen down the depth chart and does not receive much attention for touches.

TE Jerramy Stevens, Rec: 3 - 20 - 1 (5 targets)

Stevens has very good receiver skills. His height and catching ability make him a prime target. He has had problems with injuries this year but appears to be healthy now. That is a welcome sight for the Seahawks. He caught three of the five passes thrown his way including one for a touchdown where he used his height to advantage at the back of the end zone.

TE Itula Mili, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Mili pulled in the only pass thrown his way during the game and served as an occasional blocker.

PK Josh Brown 0 - 0 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 4 points

Brown was perfect on the night with four successful extra point attempts. He never had a chance to attempt a field goal.

SEA Rush Defense

The Seahawks’ rush defense will probably spend some time studying film while recovering from a rough game. They faced 50 rushes for over 190 yards. They will need some extra effort to recuperate from the pounding. The Chiefs fumbled several times but none of the fumbles was forced on rushing attempts. This game can not inspire confidence for Seattle’s rush defense.

SEA Pass Defense

Seattle had problems stopping Damon Huard. They were burned for over 300 yards while giving up one passing touchdown. They managed one sack of Huard and forced one fumble, but were generally beaten the entire game.

QB Damon Huard, Pass: 17 - 25 - 312 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - -2 - 0

Huard had an excellent game against Seattle. Huard passed for 312 yards on 17 out of 25 passing. He threw for one touchdown and had no picks. Huard has been fantastic in relief of Trent Green. Chiefs’ coach Edwards stated again that Green will have the starting job back from Huard when Green comes back from his injury. Huard will probably have one more start before Green takes over again. He now has an exceptional 9-3 career record as a starting quarterback.

RB Larry Johnson, Rush: 39 - 155 - 3, Rec: 2 - 26 - 1 (5 targets)

Johnson was looking unstoppable and tireless. He pounded the Seahawks defense with a team record 39 rushes while collecting 155 yards on the ground and an additional 26 yards through the air. He was the day’s top fantasy points producer while accounting for four touchdowns, three on the ground and one on a reception. Johnson is coming on strong as the number one weapon for Herm Edwards’ Kansas City Chiefs.

RB Michael Bennett, Rush: 10 - 38 - 0 (1 targets)

Bennett was back on active duty after missing games with a hamstring pull. He brought a very nice change of pace into the game when giving the occasional breather to Larry Johnson. He is an extremely capable backup who could be the number one back on some teams. His current fantasy value is as a safeguard for Larry Johnson owners.

WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 6 - 132 - 0 (7 targets)

Kennison was targeted early and often and responded with sure hands plus the ability to gain the extra yards after the catch. He collected six of the seven passes thrown his way for an incredible 132 yards.

WR Samie Parker, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (2 targets)

Parker was not targeted often and caught only one pass in this game. Huard seems to have developed a stronger rapport with Kennison and Gonzalez.

WR Dante Hall (1 targets)

Hall did not get many opportunities while playing with the offense in this contest. He was primarily used for kickoff and punt returns.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 6 - 116 - 0 (7 targets)

Gonzalez has become a favorite for the play-calling of the Chiefs the past two weeks. He had a second straight game with excellent yardage and reception totals. He enjoyed his second consecutive 100 plus yard receiving game. He has not been visiting the end zone but his extra yardage form pounding and carrying tacklers, in addition to great downfield blocking, has eased the way for Larry Johnson to produce. Gonzalez is still one of the elite tight ends in football. It is fun to watch him continue to gain yards after contact with one, two, and even three defenders.

TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 2 - 26 - 0 (4 targets)

Utilized more as a fullback than as a tight end, Wilson had a good game filling in for injured fullback Ronnie Cruz. Larry Johnson has expressed his pleasure lining up in the backfield behind Wilson. Wilson provided a good passing outlet for Huard with two receptions for 26 yards.

PK Lawrence Tynes 2 - 3 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points

Tynes converted two out of three field goal attempts and all three extra point attempts. His only miss was a 50 yarder.

KC Rush Defense

The Kansas City rush defense stopped Seattle’s rushing game. They prevented any significant gains by the Seahawks running backs. They allowed a couple good carries by the quarterback but that was all the Seahawks could manage against them for the day.

KC Pass Defense

The Chiefs’ pass defense were pretty good about stopping the Seahawks’ passing attack most of the time, but they gave up too many big plays and that allowed the Seahawks to stay in this game. The Seahawks were not in the game near as much as the final score would have you believe. A few corrections and the Chiefs’ defense could have provided another overall dominant performance.