Game Thread: Week 17: Seahawks @ Panthers - 10AM PST

[DHoey]

"Darnie?"
Seriously?

My buddy called him that when he was coming out of USC. Cracks me up every time lol

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

I don't think we are asking more of Darnold than the 2013 was asking of Russ. We had a more effective running game for Russ.

A young Russ was such a rare talent, he had the ability to extend plays anytime he needed.. He was a nightmare for defenses his first couple seasons… Sam is more of a timing QB, he’s good, just different … Russ was backyard football … I think Sam can get it done though, he’s got some clutch in him when games are close .. But I do agree with Beast mode Russ had the better running attack, better defense also overall … This defense is pretty good though ..

 

[flyerhawk]

It didn't result in big chunk plays down field, its been Missing from this offense since the loss to the rams.

We had several against the Rams in the win.

 

[flyerhawk]

A young Russ was such a rare talent, he had the ability to extend plays anytime he needed.. He was a nightmare for defenses his first couple seasons… Sam is more of a timing QB, he’s good, just different … Russ was backyard football … I think Sam can get it done though, he’s got some clutch in him when games are close .. But I do agree with Beast mode Russ had the better running attack, better defense also overall … This defense is pretty good though ..

The 2013 had Bobby Wagner, Sherm and Earl. They are all significantly better than their counterparts on the current team.

I do think the current team's DL is significantly better and deeper than the 2013 squad.

 

[WizardHawk]

A young Russ was such a rare talent, he had the ability to extend plays anytime he needed.. He was a nightmare for defenses his first couple seasons… Sam is more of a timing QB, he’s good, just different … Russ was backyard football … I think Sam can get it done though, he’s got some clutch in him when games are close .. But I do agree with Beast mode Russ had the better running attack, better defense also overall … This defense is pretty good though ..

Darnold can hit way more spots on the field than Russ ever could. There were lots of criticisms over some of his inability to go to shallow cross hits over the middle and how many wide open receivers he just never could see.

Bevell and Carroll were able to maximize what Russ was very good at and cover up what he struggled with and there was plenty to cover up.

Russ also had a deeper WR group than Darnold has now IMO.

More sits on the shoulders of Darnold than what was on Russ then. Wilson always had a run in his bag to further pressure defenses and of course Sam really doesn't. No need to leave a QB spy on him.

I'd easily take Darnold over a younger Russ if he'd just improve with his read speed and ball security.

 

[MrS]

We had several against the Rams in the win.

i meant in the panthers game specifically, i cant recall any down field passes from play action or at all really.

 

[dkmightyhammer]

i meant in the panthers game specifically, i cant recall any down field passes from play action or at all really.

You are correct. His longest pass was the 17 yarder to Barner for the TD, but that was mostly YAC yards.

From Grok:
Sam Darnold attempted 0 passes of 20+ yards in the Seattle Seahawks' 27-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025 (NFL Week 17).
He completed 18 of 27 passes for just 147 yards (5.4 yards per attempt), with 1 TD and 1 INT.
Highlights and reports mention completions like a 17-yard TD to AJ Barner, a 17-yard gain, a 13-yard pass, and a 25-yard run (not pass)—no plays reached 20 yards through the air.
The low yardage total and run-heavy game script explain the lack of deep attempts.

 

[flyerhawk]

i meant in the panthers game specifically, i cant recall any down field passes from play action or at all really.

Conditions were pretty bad in Charlotte. Very Seattle like weather.

 

[Screamin12th]

Darnold can hit way more spots on the field than Russ ever could. There were lots of criticisms over some of his inability to go to shallow cross hits over the middle and how many wide open receivers he just never could see.

Bevell and Carroll were able to maximize what Russ was very good at and cover up what he struggled with and there was plenty to cover up.

Russ also had a deeper WR group than Darnold has now IMO.

More sits on the shoulders of Darnold than what was on Russ then. Wilson always had a run in his bag to further pressure defenses and of course Sam really doesn't. No need to leave a QB spy on him.

I'd easily take Darnold over a younger Russ if he'd just improve with his read speed and ball security.

Yeah the big one is Ball security, We knew he turn the ball over coming in but we also knew he had a little something in him. I don't know if you will ever be able to take that out of Sam but one thing that might help is him holding the ball higher in the pocket and if he wants to run around by all means keep both hands on the damn ball LOL. Sam isn't very big, his body could carry more weight but look at him he isn't very strong at all up top, a strong offseason with some work on his upper body strength could go a long way with helping him keep the ball in his hands. He can't run around Like Russ so get ripped like Russ did his last few years here XD. All kidding aside though he could do with some more upper body strength 100%, He has a kickers strength in his upper body lol.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Yeah the big one is Ball security, We knew he turn the ball over coming in but we also knew he had a little something in him. I don't know if you will ever be able to take that out of Sam but one thing that might help is him holding the ball higher in the pocket and if he wants to run around by all means keep both hands on the damn ball LOL. Sam isn't very big, his body could carry more weight but look at him he isn't very strong at all up top, a strong offseason with some work on his upper body strength could go a long way with helping him keep the ball in his hands. He can't run around Like Russ so get ripped like Russ did his last few years here XD. All kidding aside though he could do with some more upper body strength 100%, He has a kickers strength in his upper body lol.

Russ also had freakishly large hands for his height lol. Really did help him with the ball security.

 

[Screamin12th]

Russ also had freakishly large hands for his height lol. Really did help him with the ball security.

Yeah Sam Darnold has small hands ( Same size as David Krieg's hands 9 3/8ths ), Wilsons were almost a full inch larger. I still think he should put on some upper body strength and think it would help him a lot. To be honest he looked bigger in college than he looks now to me, He isn't as thick.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Crazy stat … Since 2023 vs Mike Macdonalds defenses, Purdy has thrown 6 TD’s to 7 INT’s… I hope that INT trend continues Sat…

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Crazy stat … Since 2023 vs Mike Macdonalds defenses, Purdy has thrown 6 TD’s to 7 INT’s… I hope that INT trend continues Sat…

The other thing, is Purdy is AWFUL in bad weather (small sample size granted).

Sunday is supposed to be pouring down rain in Santa Clara.

CMAC of course is an issue, but IMO he's a bigger issue for us in the passing game than the running game.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Oh wait, we got flexed to Saturday... which is still not supposed to be great, but it's more showers Saturday night. Prob. why the NFL flexed it. They'd rather have Gay Francisco win the division than the Seahawks.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Oh wait, we got flexed to Saturday... which is still not supposed to be great, but it's more showers Saturday night. Prob. why the NFL flexed it. They'd rather have Gay Francisco win the division than the Seahawks.

We’re South Alaska, they always want us to lose .. Refs better call this game fair, that’s all we can ask for… LET the teams decide it !

 

[MrS]

We’re South Alaska, they always want us to lose .. Refs better call this game fair, that’s all we can ask for… LET the teams decide it !

blow them out so the ref's dont matter

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

blow them out so the ref's dont matter

That would be a Happy New Year

 

[MrS]

havent seen it mentioned here, but shaheed cleared protocols and will play. thats huge. also looks like josh jones will play too.

 

[WizardHawk]

Nice breakdown of the mostly the D line and their dominance

 

[MrS]

Mafe has only had 2 sacks and has played every game. what a let down for him, not getting a big pay day in FA