Friday, March 29, 2024
39.0°F

THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: In victory, Seahawks still have questions to answer

| December 6, 2021 1:10 AM

They’re piling up and clogging my inbox.

Two questions …

What’s wrong with the Seahawks?

What’s wrong with Gonzaga?

Fair enough.

So, what we’ll do is address the Zags’ issues in some depth later this week.

But today, on the heels of Seattle’s dramatic 30-23 victory over George Kittle — sorry, over the 49ers — let’s try to unravel the problems that have bedeviled the Seahawks, not to mention saddling them with a 4-8 record despite Sunday’s heroics.

Surprisingly, it hasn’t been turnovers.

The Seahawks entered the 49ers game with just eight giveaways, lowest total in the NFL.

OK, Gerald Everett did his best to change that with two fumbles and a dropped TD pass that turned into an interception.

The Hawks wouldn’t have needed a last-second stand at their own 3-yard line — with Carlos Dunlap batting down a fourth-down pass to win it — if Everett hadn’t put Vaseline on his hands.

Two of his bobbles came right at the San Francisco goal line.

NO, IF we had to pick one bugaboo that has left the Seahawks four games under .500 and basically out of the playoff race despite being outscored by just 17 points in the 12 games …

The culprit would be time of possession.

Seattle’s defense has been on the field more than any other in the league.

A combination of injuries and hapless line play has meant the Seahawks haven’t been able to run the ball consistently.

Big thumper Chris Carson has missed most of the year, and Seattle finished up Sunday with two undrafted and untested rookies playing guard and tackle.

So, how could they turn it around and score 30 points, rocking Lumen Field in a decent imitation of the good old days?

Did they finally pound the rock, in the style Pete Carroll prefers?

Not exactly.

They were credited with 146 yards rushing, but 73 of those came on a fake punt as Travis Homer dashed the distance untouched for the first score of the game.

So how did Seattle finally squeak out 33:12 in time of possession?

Simple.

The 49ers just kept giving them the ball.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw two awful interceptions and the Hawks recovered a kick-return fumble, as well.

TO BE fair, the Seahawks also got a Russell Wilson performance from Russell Wilson.

Remember, he missed three winnable games with that pin in his finger, and he’s been uncomfortable throwing the ball since his winless return.

On Sunday, though, he was Russ — 30 of 37 for 231 yards, two touchdowns and just the pick that hit Everett right in the hands.

Before you get too excited, though …

This win came against an injury riddled 49ers team that helped out with endless mistakes (like two roughing-the-passer penalties on a Seahawks TD just before halftime).

The Seahawks are almost certain to finish under .500 for the first time in Wilson’s career — and if he was exploring trade possibilities last offseason, wait until this year.

Seattle needs desperate help on the offensive line, just to run the ball a little bit and to keep any quarterback alive.

IT ISN’T just one or two positions, either.

We’re talking serious reinforcements.

Meanwhile, the defense has played valiantly during all these struggles to score, but the pass rush still has to be improved — and the secondary isn’t settled, either.

Carroll is 70, as everyone knows, and won’t have the stomach for a full rebuilding job.

So …

A new coach?

A miracle draft (without a No. 1 pick)?

A trade that kisses Wilson goodbye and brings back bodies and draft capital?

Who knows?

As thrilling as it was, this win over the 49ers didn’t really solve any problems.

Instead, it put a spotlight on San Francisco’s issues.

But hey…

It was more fun than another soul-sapping loss.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published weekly during the season.