Drew Lock Can Keep the Seahawks Winning If Darnold Is Out

There was a moment early Wednesday night when the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl title defense appeared to take a disastrous turn.

Sam Darnold, the quarterback who led Seattle to the championship last season, went down with a hip injury on the opening drive against the New England Patriots. He was helped off the field after taking a sack from Dre’Mont Jones and never returned. Initial testing showed no fracture, but Darnold is scheduled for an MRI, leaving his immediate availability uncertain. (Reuters⁠)

Who knows how long, or even if Darnold will miss further time, but as evidenced, Seattle may not be nearly as vulnerable as it first appeared.

Backup QB Drew Lock absolutely showed against the Pats, that he is more than just a warm body holding the clipboard.

Lock Steps In

Lock stepped into an ugly situation, and ultimately did exactly what the Seahawks needed him to do. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, leading two fourth-quarter scoring drives as Seattle erased a 10-0 deficit and escaped with a 13-10 victory. (AP News⁠)

He wasn’t spectacular, but he followed the playboy in accordance to allow for Seattle's star receiver core to shine..

The Seahawks have the luxury of surrounding their quarterback with difference-makers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was outstanding, finishing with 122 receiving yards and providing Lock with a reliable weapon when the offense  needed a spark.

Cooper Kupp added another 35 yards, including a phenomenal one-handed grab in double coverage that helped set Seattle up for a field goal.

Seattle’s defensive backfield completely changed the game in the fourth quarter, intercepting Drake Maye three times. The final takeaway came from Josh Jobe in the end zone, preserving the 13-10 victory. (AP News⁠)

JSN and Kupp Rise Once Again

Seattle doesn’t necessarily need Drew Lock to become Sam Darnold. It needs Lock to avoid becoming the reason the Seahawks lose.

That is a considerably more manageable assignment.

Lock is a former second-round pick out of Missouri who has been around the NFL long enough to understand what is being asked of him. He has starting experience, he has played in Seattle before, and he now has two highly capable receivers in Smith-Njigba and Kupp who can turn ordinary throws into significant gains.

The Seahawks also have a defense fully capable of winning football games by itself.

Darnold’s injury remains the biggest question hanging over Seattle. If the MRI reveals a significant problem, the Seahawks will undoubtedly lose some offensive stability. Lock though, appears up for the task..

Moving forward, Lock doesn’t have to carry Seattle. He just has to follow the system and formula for success that Darnold assimilated so well into last season, after moving from the Minnesota Vikings.