Devon Witherspoon
Steph Chambers/Getty
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 15: Devon Witherspoon #21 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the Green Bay Packers at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Following a 38-35 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Seattle Seahawks’ defense is looking to regroup after an uncharacteristic performance.
Baker Mayfield was on fire in the game, going 29/33 for 379 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie Emeka Egbuka continued to shine with seven receptions for 163 yards and one touchdown.
Third down was the biggest issue for the Seahawks, as they allowed the Buccaneers to convert 7 of 11 third downs. This efficiency by the Buccaneers allowed them to win the time of possession battle, 33:12 to 26:48, against the Seahawks.
While the Seahawks are reeling from this game, they can take solace in knowing reinforcements are coming in the form of Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Return to Practice
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been dealingwith a knee injury since the season opener, and it kept him out of theSeahawks’ game against the Buccaneers. His presencewas sorely missed as Baker Mayfield lit up the scoreboard.
John Boyle ofSeahawks.com, in his October 6 article, wrote about head coach Mike Macdonald updatingWitherspoon’s status for the week.
“Spoon and D-Hall,they’re going to try to practice in the middle of the week,”Macdonald said. “No designation yet, but the plan is for them to practice at some point, middle to late in the week, and thenwe’ll take it from there.”
Boyle also wrote aboutMacdonald’s earlier appearanceon his weekly radio show on Seattle Sports 710AM where he discussed Witherspoon getting imaging on his knee done and the favorable prognosis from it.
“I thinkit’s fair to sayhe’s making progress positively,”Macdonald said.
Witherspoon returning to practice would be a much-welcomed development for the Seahawks, a practice that this week will surely emphasize tackling.
Macdonald Wants Improved Tackling
One of the most significant issues the Seahawks faced in their game against the Buccaneers was allowing yards after the catch. Of the 379 receiving yards Tampa Bay had, 204 of those were after the catch. That speaks to poor tackling, something head coach Mike Macdonald wants to clean up as soon as possible.
Ari Horton ofSeahawks.com, in her October 6 article, wrote about how Macdonald is emphasizing better tackling technique in practice this week.
“We missed too many [tackles], especially on the perimeter,”Macdonald said. “Soit’s a technique thing and an all-11 type of thing. So really, as a defense, we have to play better, we have to take better angles, and we need to practice it better. I know we train the heck out of it, butit’s not showing up on tape right now, so we got to keep attacking it.”
Macdonald highlighted how this has been an issue all year, but only now is it coming back to bite them. Ensuring all defenders reach the ball carrier is a point Macdonald wants to focus on.
“We missed tackles earlier in the year as well, but theydidn’t show up as much,”Macdonald said. “We have more guys at the point of attack andit’s a lot easier to take your shot whenI’m next to you and I got three guys behind me ready to clean it up for me rather than just me versus you out in the open field.”
The Seahawks will get their next chance to show off their improved tackling against the 4-1 Jacksonville Jaguars, and hopefully, with Devon Witherspoon joining them on the field.