Hawks vs Chefs game thread

[HawkandMariner88]

Where was this against the Whiners & Commondeers

[Donn Beach]

Where was this against the Whiners & Commondeers

I think this is what gets missed, it's a long season. There's a lot of development that happens during the season. Fleury is learning, adjustments are made. I really did expect to see adjustments this week. They had the extra days to do it. I'm not saying I expected them to hold the chiefs to three points. But on the other hand. It doesn't really surprise me, it's the best defense in the league. They seem to be getting the offense ironed out which benefits the defense. I have a lot of faith in MM. He knows how to get a team on a roll. James had that quality and Pete back in the day.

[Donn Beach]

From Huard, it was the attitude they brought into the game. Get back to seahawk football. I think it was an evaluation process. Oh and getting Bradford back

After a couple really tough losses, after a mini-bye to evaluate what they want to be, coach Mike Macdonald and staff went back to the old school, line of scrimmage Seattle

JSN looked like Steve Largent. He was the best player on the field. But this game, let’s not kid ourselves, was defined by a defense, by a line of scrimmage, by a run game that said enough is enough. Let’s stop turning the ball over. Let’s stop trying to do all these exotic things. Let’s get everybody involved. Let’s run for 100 yards. Let’s get our tight ends engaged. Let’s put three tight ends on the field. Let’s control the game

And put the Walker narrative to rest. They were feasting on mediocre defenses. Up against a tough defense he was a nonfactor

[Donn Beach]

Mike Macdonald teams have been demons with 10+ days rest.
They were 6-1 and had outscored the Vegas line by an average of 15.2 ppg before this win tonight

[Donn Beach]

Right guards never get the glory they deserve, but Anthony Bradford had one of the best offensive line performances the Seahawks have seen this season in Week 7. It showed up individually as he used his sheer strength to manhandle Chiefs defenders into the ground. It showed up far more in the entire unit’s improvement, though, as they were able to run the football effectively and kept quarterback Sam Darnold as clean as any game this season despite going against a tough Kansas City defensive line. Bradford was thought to be replaceable last season, but 2026 has been an examination of his value in a way few could’ve foreseen

[Michael K.]

Wow, nice blocking. TD Seahawks.......you can put it on the board.... YESSSSS

They actually ran the ball rather effectively last week as well. I think Mac had the same "WTF are you doing" chat this week that he had with Grubb. LeFleur was just smart enough to realize he'd better do what the boss wants. I still think the run game this year is way better than when Grubb was here, but that is likely an indictment on Grubb as much as it is praise for adding Zabel and having Bradford improve.

[Michael K.]

Maybe Shaheed going down caused the switch to start using the TEs more.

One can only hope they keep doing that going forward.

Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. He wasn't doing anything anyway.

Horton looked pretty good in the return game as well....though he was pretty loose with the ball on his last one and I got very spooked!

[douche]

Random musings:

I thought Holani played well.

Saubert made a nice catch. Overall, it was nice to see the tight ends more involved.

Darnold calmed down and made better decisions. The INT in the end zone was unfortunate, but an overall solid game. That flutter pass to JSN was a thing of beauty.

JSN - what can be said?

Defense - very stout. Relentless. Love how they shut down Walker and made Mahomes look average.

Very convincing victory at home over a 5-0 team.

Another 5-0 team falls. Yes, I'm referring to the Niners/Falcons.

Side note: Love the throwback unis and helmets. So sweet.

[Michael K.]

From Huard, it was the attitude they brought into the game. Get back to seahawk football. I think it was an evaluation process. Oh and getting Bradford back

After a couple really tough losses, after a mini-bye to evaluate what they want to be, coach Mike Macdonald and staff went back to the old school, line of scrimmage Seattle

JSN looked like Steve Largent. He was the best player on the field. But this game, let’s not kid ourselves, was defined by a defense, by a line of scrimmage, by a run game that said enough is enough. Let’s stop turning the ball over. Let’s stop trying to do all these exotic things. Let’s get everybody involved. Let’s run for 100 yards. Let’s get our tight ends engaged. Let’s put three tight ends on the field. Let’s control the game

And put the Walker narrative to rest. They were feasting on mediocre defenses. Up against a tough defense he was a nonfactor

I give credit to the O-Line for much improved play, especially Bradford. The Defense was the Defense, they've been doing this all year.

I think Macdonald got in Fleury's ear and, IMO, said "stop being the reason we lose ball games or I'll find someone else." Maybe not that sternly, but I bet that is the message the Fleury got. He lost the Broncos game with a despicable pass to run ratio, and Sam lost the Commander and 49er games by being an absolute idiot with the football.

Mike M. had seen enough, and I think they offense got the Memo. Despite the dumb ass play in the Redzone? This game made sense on offense. I didn't like some of the route concepts, HATED the 3rd and 7 give up with a backwards pass against zone coverage to JSN. I mean, they MOTIONED JSN to the other side. Then had him run a route and sprint back behind the LOS on the side he started. Not one defender went with him. Who in the world besides Fleury thought that play would work against Zone?

But, that shit happens. Calling 24 designed runs to almost 60 passes in a game you lose in OT? That shouldn't happen. Throwing inexplicable INTs in just about every game, two on the first pass attempt? Shouldn't happen. Your running back running free to the corner of the endzone and flat out dropping the ball in wide open space? Shouldn't happen. There where way less "what the fuck was that" moments last night.

I think there was some "time to be accountable" discussions with these guys.

[Donn Beach]

I agree, I think MM took the extra days to self scout, it's what I expected. I don't agree it was about holding Fleury accountable, threatening his employment. I don't think that's how MM operates. He's a teacher, he stresses the positive, not what's wrong but how to get better. He reminds me of John Wooden in that sense.
Him and and Fleury went over the game plan together and improved it. It's interesting, he talked about it including Kupp, Kupp is an asset beyond just running routes.

They figured out where and how to improve. And they are continuing it. In the post game he brought up improving, it's time to improve

Following a stretch of offensive inconsistency and a 3-3 start to the 2026 season, coach Macdonald explicitly brought the veteran wide receiver into high-level discussions alongside quarterback Sam Darnold, offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, and passing game coordinator Jake Peetz. Macdonald noted that Kupp acts as a "force multiplier" and an extension of the coaching staff