Cardinals front-seven exposed Seahawks’ offensive line in draw
Oct 24, 2016, 6:15 PM
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Cardinals took advantage of the Seattle Seahawks’ Swiss cheese offensive line in the 6-6 draw on Sunday Night Football.
When Pro Football Focus’s Sam Monson revealed his 10 worst individual performances from Week 7’s action, three Seahawks offensive linemen found their names on the list. Tackles Bradley Sowell and Garry Gilliam headline the poor performances at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
We’ve known for a while that Seattle’s offensive line was bad, but in its 6-6 tie with Arizona on “Sunday Night Football,” the Seahawks would have been as well stationing five large potted plants in front of QB Russell Wilson.
Sowell allowed a sack, a hit and three hurries along with two holding penalties during his 39 snaps before exiting the game with a sprained MCL. The former Cardinal was unable to deter one of the best defensive lines in the NFL and Russell Wilson was punished as a result.
All the pressure created by the Cardinals wasn’t completely on Sowell. Gilliam, a third-year tackle, had his fair share of issues and was on his heels for most of the game due to the Cardinals’ blitz-happy defense.
Gilliam “only” surrendered a hit and three hurries and recorded two penalties, but he was also destroyed right after the snap on at least two more occasions on quick passes that didn’t have a chance to become pressure, and was bad in the run game, too. This wasn’t a good game for the Seattle O-line.
The penalties and miscues also haunted guard Germain Ifedi, who allowed a quarterback hit and three hurries, not to mention an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Seattle’s offensive performance only allowed for two field goals despite a 225-yard performance from Wilson. Seattle was very limited to what they were able to forge on the ground with running back Christine Michael carrying for 52 yards on 16 rushes.
One victory for the Cardinals was how well the defense was able to contain Wilson and one of the best tight ends in the game, Jimmy Graham.
In regards to how well Arizona was able to put pressure on Wilson and his offensive line, Arians credits his defense playing well and Seattle’s front playing poorly.
“I think a combination. Things have been written about their offensive line all year, but I thought our guys, the front four, run and pass … When your linebackers have 20-something tackles, your D-line is doing a hell of a job,” Arians said during Monday’s media availability.
Linebacker Deone Bucannon was the leading tackler for the Cardinals with 11 solo tackles on a combined 13.
