Some of Russell Wilson’s most memorable plays have come while extending plays, breaking out of the pocket and making big throws downfield on broken plays.
But Wilson seems to be showing that he can make big throws from inside the pocket as well.
Wilson tossed a career-high five touchdowns on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers with all five scoring throws coming from inside the pocket.
“I think he’s the best he’s been in the pocket,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said. “You can see him most solid with his reads and his decision-making and all of that. I think that was an illustration of it yesterday, that he has come a long way and he’s really comfortable. He can rip the football and use all of his guys and use the whole field when we can give him a chance to. It’s a real positive sign.”
One reason is he’s actually had a pocket to throw from in recent weeks. After allowing 31 sacks through seven games, Seattle made a change by inserting Patrick Lewis at center over Drew Nowak. Seattle has since allowed just six sacks in four games and has given Wilson more time to run the offense. Nowak was released on Tuesday.
“I think the pocket being so consistently solid for him makes a huge difference,” Carroll said. “The rhythm, since the (bye week), we’ve really tried to feature a fast rhythm and making sure he’s really got a chance to get the ball out fast to keep the pressure off of the guys up front. All of that has happened with more earnest because of how the start was. I think it’s a combination, but I really think the guys up front are really improving and that’s what’s made the difference for us.”
Wilson made a pair of touchdown throws to Jermaine Kearse and another to Doug Baldwin in the red zone. He then hit Baldwin for a 30-yard score and the 80-yard clinching touchdown late in the fourth quarter on time from the pocket.
It was the first time in Wilson’s tenure in Seattle that the Seahawks had won a game when an opponent had scored at least 25 points. With the defense not being quite as formidable as in past seasons, the Seahawks may need more performances like Sunday’s outing against Pittsburgh down the stretch.