Alright, 12s, let’s talk about that 17-7 sloppy loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Lumen Field, because Coach Mike Macdonald *definitely* had thoughts after our preseason opener. He didn’t just give us the usual coach-speak; he made it crystal clear what he enjoyed from that rough Saturday, and what he absolutely, 100% did not. For any Emerald City fan hoping for a clean, crisp start to the football season, this wasn’t it. The game “certainly didn’t live up to usual expectations,” a pretty tame way to describe a contest that felt like a real gut-punch for our ‘Hawks, even if it was just an exhibition. Macdonald’s candid take? That’s the kind of transparency we need as the real games get closer.
The Rough Edges and What Really Stings
Look, Macdonald is all about the “process over result,” especially when we’re talking preseason. But even with that philosophy, there’s no sugarcoating the outright sloppiness against Dallas. It was a 17-7 defeat, and the biggest glaring issue, one that’s got us all raising an eyebrow, was the pass rush. Straight up, against the Cowboys, it “wasn’t good.” That’s not just a minor hiccup for an early August game; the source text explicitly called it “frustrating in the context of the future.” Think about that. We’re talking about foundational stuff here. Macdonald’s defensive schemes need that pressure, and if it’s already a “question mark” for the season ahead, that’s a serious concern. This is an early trend we absolutely need to see improve, because the future of our pass rush shouldn’t be a question this early in the calendar.
The Path Ahead for Our ‘Hawks and Some Unexpected News
Despite the early struggles and the frustration, the entire focus for the ‘Hawks is already laser-sharp on what’s next. Coach Macdonald made it abundantly clear that the coaching staff is buckling down, putting in the work to prepare the squad for the “real games that will be here soon enough.” You know that opening gamut: it’s against the New England Patriots. Every single practice, every rep between now and that kickoff, is all about “practice and self-improvement.” That’s the mantra right now. And hey, it’s not all grim news! Buried in the post-game analysis is a solid nod to our QB1, Sam Darnold. The word is he “has better chance of longevity with Seahawks than not.” That’s a quiet vote of confidence for our guy under center, suggesting he’s got a future here, even if the team as a whole still needs to find its rhythm and clean up the play. One last wild note: apparently, the players wanted to keep the lush FIFA Men’s World Cup grass at Lumen Field, but some “unique Seattle circumstance appeared to prevent” it. Can you believe it? Even our home turf has drama!
So, what’s the next stop for our boys in green and blue? They’re squaring off against the Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday. You can bet your bottom dollar Coach Macdonald will be expecting a completely different, much cleaner effort. This isn’t just another exhibition game; it’s another crucial chance to sharpen those rough edges and prove that the “process” he talks about is actually leading somewhere. The real season kicks off in earnest against the Patriots, and these preseason matchups are absolutely vital for building the kind of momentum we need to dominate from day one. Let’s see if the ‘Hawks can clean it up, hit those assignments, and give us something truly exciting to cheer about against the Titans. Go ‘Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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