Seahawks Receive Jaw-Dropping, Impressive Team Grade for September: A Shocking Surge That Has Fans Buzzing
The Seattle Seahawks took some major risks this offseason by overhauling the majority of the offensive roster by parting ways with Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett this offseason.
These moves have paid off through the first month with Sam Darnold continuing to play at a high level, Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging as one of the premier WRs in the league, and the defense building off its strong 2024 campaign.
This early success has one NFL writer rewarding the organization with a flattering team grade through September.
Seahawks Receive a Team Grade of A- in September by USA Today
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today was very complimentary of the 3-1 start from the Seahawks while giving them a grade of A- through September.
After overhauling its offense and subbing in Sam Darnold for Geno Smith, Seattle could have been forgiven if it stumbled out of the gates this season,” wrote Middlehurst-Schwartz. Instead, the Seahawks have sizzled after a Week 1 misstep against the San Francisco 49ers, surging to a three-way tie atop the NFC West at 3-1.
One could make an argument that the loss against the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener largely fell on CB Riq Woolen, who gave up an explosive play and the go-ahead touchdown in the second half.
Despite the missed opportunity in Week 1, the Seahawks‘ defense has been one of the stingiest units in the league while receiving a boost from the retooled offense with Sam Darnold under center.
Darnold, who ranks third in the NFL with 9 air yards per attempt, has repeatedly taken advantage of the deep shots afforded to him with play-action looks, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the only player other than Nacua to have reached 400 yards through four games,” added Middlehurst-Schwartz.
Darnold has 905 passing yards to go with five scores and just two interceptions, which is a far cry from the high-flying numbers he was posting in Minnesota, but he still has the Seahawks playing complementary football to a solid defensive unit.
One beneficiary of the majority of Darnold’s production through the air has been Jaxon Smith-Njigba — who has 26 receptions for 402 yards and a score through his first four games. The Ohio State product appears to be building off of his breakout season in 2024 and is currently responsible for 44% of the team’s production through the air this season.
Could This Offense Become as Scary as the Defense Once the Running Game Hits Its Stride?
Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet have both contributed to the rushing attack in a new scheme behind a revamped offensive line, but still ranks just 18th in the league with 110 yards on the ground per game.
“The big letdown has been the run game, which was supposed to be the focal point of new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s attack but has turned up just 3.6 yards per carry so far,” added Middlehurst-Schwartz. “There’s still plenty of time and intention to get that phase up to the level of the rest of the operation, however, and an outfit that seemed like an afterthought in the playoff race now is very much part of the early discussion.”
The offseason additions along the offensive line are having a positive impact to start the season. If this unit can continue to improve while the backfield roles get sorted out between Walker and Charbonnet, then this rushing attack could peak over the back half of the season.
Broncos All-Pro Gets Final, Jaw-Dropping Laugh at Bengals QB Jake Browning After Epic Showdown
Nik Bonitto saw the post suggesting that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning would be relieved to face the Denver Broncos after what the Minnesota Vikings did to him in Week 3, and channeled his inner Michael Jordan, taking it personally.
Bonitto, the NFL’s third-leading sack artist in 2024, tallied another 1.5 against the Bengals, bringing his 2025 total to 4.5 – a 19-plus sack pace over 17 games.
After Monday’s victory, Bonitto took a victory lap over the thoughts on Browning.
Nik Bonitto Gets Laughs Off Jake Browning Post After Broncos Beat Bengals
The Broncos got to Browning three times total, with bookend Jonathon Cooper splitting one with Bonitto and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Denver tallied 6 total hits on the quarterback. Browning completed 56% of his passes with 0 touchdowns or interceptions.
Most importantly, the Broncos won and got bragging rights, with Bonitto laughing at the hot take.
“The Vikings defense is so good that Jake Browning will be relieved to face the Broncos,” “NFL Daily Podcast” host Greg Rosenthal posted on X on September 26.
“Dropping bodies ain’t nothing every new one give me a thrill,” Franklin-Myers posted on X after the game. “Broncos Win!”
Cooper introduced Bonitto as the “best pass rusher in the NFL” in the locker room, and the latter opened his availability by praising Broncos cornerback Riley Moss, and followed with kind words for Pat Surtain II, underscoring the complete defensive effort against the Bengals.
Broncos QB Bo Nix Praises Defense
While their offense racked up 512 total yards, Bonitto and the Broncos’ defense held the Bengals to 159 yards. Their efforts drew praise from quarterback Bo Nix during his postgame media availability.
“It’s impressive. Not much more to say other than they’re just suffocating. They take away what they’re good at, and then they just – the pass rush is killer. And when you get in long yardage situations, it’s tough. And they did just a good job of staying balanced, mixing up the looks, getting off the field when they needed to,” Nix told reporters on September 29.
“I’m excited, happy to be on a team with a good defense like that.”
Nix did his part, completing 29 of 42 passes for 326 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, but Bonitto, a Pro Bowler and Second Team All-Pro in 2024, and the Broncos’ defense did theirs, too.
Broncos Face Tough Test in Week 5
Up next for Bonitto and the Broncos are the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. It is a road date against the reigning Super Bowl champions, who have allowed 9 sacks on the season entering the contest.
Bonitto, who signed a four-year, $106 million contract extension with the Broncos this past offseason, and Cooper (four years, $54 million in September 2024) will need to be at their best.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley are dangerous despite their hiccups.
Bonitto and the Broncos’ defense will also need Nix and Co. to do their jobs against the Eagles in Week 5. Still, slowing down Hurts and Barkley is imperative if the Broncos want to stack victories and keep their momentum going.
