The Seahawks faced a dangerous NFL foe in week six. An opponent that is similarly skilled, the Cincinnati Bengals. What could be interpreted as poor play can often be attributed to playing a team that has the same talent level. Plus, the Hawks are coming off of the dumbest scheduled bye week ever in Week 5.

The good news for both teams? They don’t have to wear the creamsicle uniforms the Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in this week. It’s the little things sometimes.

Seattle Slayed in the NFL’s Week 6

#1- The NFL concussion spotters 

Jake Bobo got his brain a little traumatized in Sunday’s game. A sort of helmet-to-helmet hit from Dax Hill traveling at a fast speed looked reminiscent of a 1970s NFL hard hitter.

Because it looked like Hill was possibly leading with his shoulder and scrambling his and Bobo’s brains on accident, it only warranted a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and not an immediate ejection.

In the height of the moment, it appears that coaching and training staff missed the significance of the hit to Bobo, and it required an appointed independent NFL athletic trainer spotter in the crowd to call for a blue tent visit with the neurologist for the rookie wide receiver.

The importance of protecting our NFL players’ minds cannot be emphasized enough, so our number one slaying spot goes to the athletic trainers who dedicated their time and energy to keeping scrambled brains off the gridiron.

#2- Jamal Adams

Jamal Adams’s presence was felt this week. Dog water ethics had Seahawks fans booing at Adams two weeks ago when he got a concussion and had to leave the field, but the safety had the last laugh in Week 6 of the NFL. Jamal made a tackle on the first snap of the game, and he never stopped. The Bengals will tell you that Jamal Adams was wearing everyone this week.

#3- Zach Charbonnet

Needless to say, Geno Smith was not on his A-game today. Zach Charbonnet was in the right place at the right time for Geno when the NFL QB was otherwise going to have to throw the ball away or worse.

NFL

Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet (26) – Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports

Charbonnet is a subtle guy on the team, often overshadowed by Kenneth Walker III, who is killing it each and every week, but in week 6 of the NFL, we appreciate Zach for being on top of things when other players couldn’t.

Bombs

#1- Joe Burrow’s Calf

Burrow’s tenacity and motivation to play through it all is impressive. It’s hard to watch with his errant calf muscle. It’s giving Dan Marino—I’m playing through an atrophied calf muscle, limping in pain, and taking ice baths to keep on the field—energy. Unfortunately, even for Marino, he only worked for a few seasons before he had to retire.

Joe Burrow is clearly not himself on the field, and it’s irritating him. His wrinkled brow showed that this week. But as admirable as pushing through an injury is, it will come back to get him. Whether he’s still playing or not. For Burrow’s sake, he really needs to let that calf heal.

And for his dogged determination to stay on the field, despite advice otherwise, Joe Burrow gets the number one bomb slot for week 6. Get it together, sir.

#2- DK Metcalf’s Temper 

DK Metcalf is a hot head, and we know this. But this season it has been on full display, winning the Hawks penalties they can’t handle, particularly in a game with such stiff competition as the Bengals.

Interestingly, both of the bombs for the NFL’s Week 6 highlight the character flaws in key players on both sides of the ball. Metcalf is passionate, and that can sometimes come out in misplaced anger on the field. Burrow is stubborn and tough, leading him to play through an injury he shouldn’t be playing with. The dichotomy of people’s personality traits is on full display.

 

This week, Metcalf shoved Bengals defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt, and then shoved him again, flying into the turf. As fun as it was to watch, it’s unhelpful.

The temperamental wide receiver then had the nerve to head to the sidelines fuming and angry, yelling about what happened like he didn’t just have a playground faux pas.

What did we see that was sweet? Pete Carroll was able to calm Metcalf on the sidelines with his calming energy and comforting words in mere seconds. This calls back to the interview that the head coach had with Richard Sherman, where Carroll’s unique ability to meet each of his players where they are was discussed. It’s truly impressive.

#3- Geno Smith

Geno Smith did not have his mind on the game today. He was missing passes, getting sacked, and being intercepted.

NFL

Seahawks QB Geno Smith (7) – SportingNews.com

Smith has been there for us, leading our team to victory repeatedly, so he only gets a thorough verbal lashing, but it can’t happen again.

For all Defiant Takes Football content on the Seahawks, look here. Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals will go better for Seattle.