Byron Murphy II’s surge has given the Seahawks a timely jolt, and it may matter most in Week 6 against Denver.
The Seattle defensive lineman has racked up three sacks over the last two games, including two in the Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Through 31 career games, Murphy has 7.5 sacks, and the way he’s finishing this stretch suggests that total could climb fast if he keeps creating pressure the way he has lately.
“I feel like it's going pretty good,” Murphy said via the team's website.
“Last week, when I got my first sack of the season, I'm like, damn, when you get that first one, they just start coming to you, they start coming in bunches, and I got two yesterday. I feel pretty good just being able to go out there and showcase my pass-rushing ability and for the coaches to believe in me, knowing, 'OK, this guy can rush and we're going to give him opportunities.' Being able to go out there and put my best foot forward is pretty cool.”
The challenge gets bigger this week. Denver’s offensive line has done a strong job protecting Bo Nix, even if the start of the season was rough. Nix was dropped four times in the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he has been sacked only twice in the last four games.
Seattle, though, already has 14 sacks this season, which ranks it among the NFL’s top 10 teams in that category. Murphy’s impact helps explain why the pass rush can threaten from multiple spots, inside and off the edge, and that kind of pressure can quickly turn uncomfortable for any quarterback.
For the Seahawks, getting after Nix early and often is the mission, and Murphy looks like one of the best players to set that tone.
That responsibility could grow even heavier if Leonard Williams can’t play. Williams is dealing with an ankle injury on a short week and remains uncertain for the Week 6 matchup. If he sits, Murphy’s role becomes even more important in a game that may be decided by whichever team controls the line of scrimmage.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Have Two Roster Battles Fans Can't Ignore
A sloppy loss to the 49ers put two parts of the roster back under the microscope for Seattle, and not just because of the final score. Five turnovers made the night ugly, but the bigger takeaway for the Seahawks may be how clearly some fringe battles are starting to take shape as the team evaluates who can help once the games start counting for real.
Nehemiah Pritchett and Byron Murphy II were among the players who stood out in a positive way, while the running back group did not make the same case for itself. George Holani and Emanuel Wilson had tougher outings, which only sharpens the focus on a position where Seattle may be looking for more reliability, along with added depth at cornerback. [Read more 🡒]
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Took The Seahawks Loss Hard For One Reason
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had the kind of fourth-quarter moment that lingers, the sort a young receiver remembers long after the game ends. Late against the 49ers, he dropped a crucial third-down pass, and Seattles chance to extend the drive slipped away in a loss that became the Seahawks second of the season while San Francisco stayed undefeated.
Smith-Njigba did not hide from it afterward, acknowledging the drop and taking responsibility for how the game ended. For a Seahawks team that has been building through the early part of the schedule, the next challenge comes quickly with Denver on deck for Thursday Night Football, which leaves little time to dwell and even less time to let one play carry over. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Made A Special Teams Move That Could Matter Fast
The Seahawks made a quick special teams adjustment this week by activating wide receiver Irv Charles off injured reserve, putting him in line to be available for the upcoming game against the Broncos. Charles arrived in Seattle from the Jets in a trade and is expected to help mostly in the third phase, giving the team another option on a unit that often turns on depth and reliability.
To make room, Seattle released running back and kick returner Velus Jones Jr., a move that underscores how tightly the roster is being managed heading into the next matchup. Charles now gets a chance to factor in right away, and the timing suggests the Seahawks want a fresh look on special teams as soon as possible. [Read more 🡒]