By Jawann Bennett
The Seattle Medium/GameTime Sportstalk
The Seattle Seahawks broke their early season offensive slump and routed the San Francisco 49ers 37-18 Sunday at Century Link Field thanks to another huge performance from undrafted free agent now pro bowl wide receiver Doug Baldwin.
Baldwin, a 6-year veteran out of Stanford, had 8 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown that included a season long 59-yard reception. He also had a one-handed reception that was the ESPN Sports Center #1 Top Play of the Day, as his latest contribution to an offense in transition trying to find a new identity.
Last Season running back Marshawn Lynch was unavailable most of the season due to an abdominal injury that required surgery. Lynch was the heart, soul and identity of not only the Seahawks offense, but of a team that went to two consecutive Super Bowls and winning the franchise’s only championship after the 2013 season.
After Lynch was lost, Tight End Jimmy Graham went down with a torn patella tendon versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Russell Wilson was left to look for other options and leaders to step up for the championship contenders. Baldwin emerged for Wilson as they connected for and 80-yard game winning touchdown, the second of two touchdown receptions that game. Baldwin exploded to catch 8 more touchdowns over the next 5 weeks to finish the 2015 season with 1,069 receiving yards and tied for the NFL lead in touchdown receptions to cap a career year.
Though they fell short, losing in the NFC Divisional Playoff round to the Carolina Panthers, the offseason saw Lynch retire and Baldwin rewarded with a contract extension worth $24 million in guaranteed money.
Baldwin has begun the 2016 season with 20 receptions 276 yards and 2 touchdowns through the first three weeks and is on pace for another career year.
It’s refreshing to witness the emergence and leadership of a receiver once deemed immature, pedestrian, and angry has put in the hard work, consistency, and maturity to simply be called consistently explosive.
“It definitely does feel more like Seahawk football,” said Baldwin after the team rebounded from a loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a win over the 49ers.
