Written by Gregg Bell at The News Tribune.com
Earl Thomas was back.
Yet it was like he never left.
The three-time All-Pro free safety played for the first time since he broke his leg in December. And he smacked Packers all over the field. Again.
“I feel like I am back,” Thomas said, saying what he showed.
Here’s what was also familiar: He and his Seahawks defense were on Lambeau Field for 74 plays and just under 40 of their opener’s 60 minutes Sunday. They held two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay scoreless into the third quarter. The first time they yielded was allowing a touchdown drive of 5 yards. That was after the offensive line’s issues in pass protection caused a fumble Russell Wilson lost while getting sacked.
So what about having to be on the field so much? Did the defense, which actually scored a touchdown of its own only to have it called back by a penalty, finally wear down in the Seahawks’ 17-9 loss here in this ugly, half-worrisome way to begin the 2017 season?
Yes, a “man” sandwich.
The Seahawks’ newly reinforced defensive front sacked Aaron Rodgers four times and intercepted him once — in the first half. Michael Bennett had 1 1/2 of those sacks. And the Seahawks held Green Bay scoreless into the third quarter.
Oh, and Thomas was absolutely back.
@Earl_Thomas Heat seeking missile. WOW pic.twitter.com/5QafarsxZ0
— Alaskan 12 (@tomrollman) September 10, 2017
To continue reading this article, click here.
