Our Seahawks kicking off the preseason with a 17-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys absolutely stings, even if it’s “just” preseason. You bleed green and blue like I do, you know every single snap matters, especially when we’re evaluating who’s gonna make this squad shine.
Preseason: It’s Not “Fake Football” When Jobs Are On The Line
Look, I get it. Aaron Rodgers might say preseason isn’t “real football.” He’s long removed from fighting for a roster spot. But for players busting their tails to make an impression, to prove they belong in the Emerald City, these games are everything. Preseason is all about evaluating players, figuring out who fits our scheme, who’s got that 12s spirit. No one wants to look bad on the field, especially when you’re battling for playing time or a job. And let me tell you, there were plenty of disappointments at quarterback across the league in Week 1, not just on the scoreboard for our Hawks.
What A Mess In Atlanta: Tua And The Falcons Are A Warning
If you thought our 17-7 score was rough, take a peek at what’s going down in Atlanta. The Falcons were a certified Week 1 loser, and their situation is a stark reminder of how quickly things can go sideways. They already had their 2025 first-round EDGE, Jalon Walker, tear his ACL, and James Pearce Jr. just got slammed with an eight-game suspension. Then there’s Tua Tagovailoa. The guy fumbled his second snap of the game! He was generally underwhelming as they got straight-up trounced 27-7 by the Broncos. Sean Payton, of all people, even dumped on them for having no fans. Ouch. Neither Bo Nix nor Jaylen Waddle even played for the Broncos, yet Denver still ran all over them with starters on the field.
And it gets worse for the Falcons’ QB room. Michael Penix Jr. is still out with his knee rehab, leaving Tagovailoa as the de-facto QB1 in what’s described as a “pretty dismal” competition. Get this: none of Tua’s five throws went more than four yards downfield. He posted a brutal -0.442 EPA per dropback. For context, last year’s worst was Cam Ward at -0.15. Neither Tagovailoa nor Penix were even physically ready for training camp, leaving them with veteran Cooper Rush and UDFA Jack Strand as their only healthy options. Both of their main guys struggle to stay healthy, and even when they are healthy, it’s a struggle. While I don’t think the Falcons will be the worst team in NFL history, this is definitely a glimpse at what their season could be like.
It’s Early, But The Message Is Clear
The good news is that we’re still a month out from the regular season, and roster cut day is over two weeks away. A rough outing, like the Hawks’ 17-7 loss or Tua’s disastrous day, can absolutely be fixed with a good week of practice and a strong Preseason Week 2 showing. But it can also be a sign of things to come. Every team is looking for that spark, that confidence, that consistency right now. Our Hawks need to show us what they’re made of in the next game, because these early trends, especially at quarterback, can set the tone for the entire season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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