The pass protection was considerably better for the Seattle Seahawks in their second preseason game compared to the first. But with no touchdowns and only a pair of field goals Friday night against Kansas City, Seattle's offense is still a bit of a concern.
Here are some quick thoughts on the Seahawks' 14-13 loss to the Chiefs:
When it was starters vs. starters, the Seahawks looked ...: Seattle's starters on both sides of the ball played through the first half with much different results. The offense went three-and-out on its first two possessions and punted on its third before putting together a field goal drive that produced the group's only points through the first two quarters. The issue wasn't the way the newly configured offensive line held up in pass protection so much as it was an inability to open up holes in the running game and convert on third down. Seattle's defense was much better. That group allowed an 83-yard touchdown drive but got those points back via an interception that linebacker Bobby Wagner returned for a touchdown.
QB depth chart: Russell Wilson played the entire first half, completing 9 of 15 attempts for 78 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. One pass he'd like to have back was a misfire on third down, when he underthrew an open Doug Baldwin. Seattle had to settle for a field goal. R.J. Archer played the entire second half. Jake Waters, who was signed after Tarvaris Jackson injured his ankle last week, didn't play, as expected.
Maybe that dude could start: The Seahawks won't need Kevin Pierre-Louis to start, barring an injury, but he looks like he could if necessary. After missing last week's game with a shoulder injury, Pierre-Louis made six tackles in his preseason debut, including one for loss. He saw some playing time with the first-team defense, which is a reflection of the team's plan to work Pierre-Louis into the linebacker rotation this season.
Who got hurt? Rookie guard Kona Schwenke was taken off the field on a cart in the fourth quarter with an apparent right leg injury. Backup defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith sustained a rib injury in the third quarter. Seattle's starters made it out of the game without any injuries of note.
A surprise player who looks amazing: Amazing would be an overstatement, but backup quarterback R.J. Archer looked much better Friday night than he did earlier in the preseason. He went 5-for-6 for 60 yards while leading a field goal drive to start the second half, and his lone incompletion on that possession was a low but catchable pass that wasn't hauled in. Archer played the entire second half, completing 9 of 14 attempts for 83 yards. His performance Friday night was a continuation of a strong week in practice. Archer looked like he was on borrowed time earlier in camp, but with the injury to Jackson and a stronger showing of late, maybe not.
Rookie watch: Wide receiver Tyler Lockett, the star of last week's game, caught three passes for a team-high 42 yards, including a 25-yarder that put Seattle in position for a field goal. Last week's game was a showcase of how dangerous Lockett can be as a returner. This game was a reminder that he can make an impact on offense, as well. Defensive lineman Frank Clark wasn't expected to play because of a sore ankle, but he did. His lone highlight was a batted-down pass that got Seattle off the field on third down.
One reason to freak out: For all the understandable concern about Seattle's offense through the first two preseason games, the early chemistry between Wilson and tight end Jimmy Graham was again evident Friday night. Those two connected three times in the first half for 39 yards, 21 of which came on a perfectly-placed throw up the seam to a covered-up Graham.
Legion of Whom? The Seahawks were short-handed in their secondary, to say the least. Richard Sherman (hip flexor), Will Blackmon (groin) and Earl Thomas (shoulder) were among the 10 Seattle defensive backs who didn't play. That total that doesn't include Kam Chancellor, who's holding out. Sherman and Blackmon were the only two among those four who had a chance to play, but their preseason debuts will have to wait at least another week.
Shead moves to CB: DeShawn Shead began training camp atop the depth chart at strong safety in Chancellor's absence. He started at cornerback Friday night and played well, providing tight coverage on several passing plays. Shead has been a swing player in Seattle's secondary. His ability to play both positions should help his case for a roster spot, even if Dion Bailey overtakes him at strong safety and/or if Chancellor returns.