Grades for Chiefs-Seahawks

Here are the top takeaways from Friday night’s Chiefs-Seahawks game, including the highest-graded players for each team:

Seahawks:

–Edge rusher Cliff Avril (+1.7) made life uncomfortable for the right side of the Chiefs offensive line. He finished with one hit and three total pressures in 14 rushes against the right side of the Chiefs line. That gave him a 16.1 pass-rushing productivity score from that side.

–Rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett (+1.0) had a quiet game on the return front this week, but he excelled as a receiver, catching all three passes thrown his way. His best play was a 25-yard gain with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter. Lockett got behind fellow rookie Steven Nelson before skipping past the free safety, which allowed Nelson to recover for the tackle.

–Quarterback Russell Wilson earned a -0.1 passing grade after completing 9 of 15 passes in the first half. Backup R.J. Archer earned a +0.3 passing grade on a similar stat line (completing 9 of 14), but three of his incompletions were caused by drops.

–Cornerback DeShawn Shead (+2.3) had a solid outing in the absence of Richard Sherman (recovering from a hip injury). His coverage was tested four times, but he allowed just one pass to be completed for 7 yards. Shead fits the Seahawks' mold of tall, physical corners, and he saw a career-high 93 snaps in 2014 for the Seahawks. He is competing for a larger role this year; performances like Friday night's won't hurt his chances at all.

Top 5 graded players:

Michael Bennett (+3.2)

DeShawn Shead (+2.3)

Jon Ryan (+2.2)

Terry Poole (+1.8)

Cliff Avril (+1.7)

Chiefs:

–Coming off a 23-sack 2014 season, it hasn't taken Justin Houston (+3.6) long to get into game shape again. Against the Seahawks, Houston recorded three pressures on just 10 pass-rush snaps, giving him an impressive 22.8 pass-rushing productivity score.

–A pick-six by Bobby Wagner marred an otherwise solid outing from QB Alex Smith (-1.7). However, backup Chase Daniel (+1.0) found life easier, completing 8 of 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.

–Having missed most of 2014 with an injury, it's good to see linebacker Derrick Johnson (+3.5) back and playing well. Johnson led the Chiefs with four stops, in which the Seahawks gained a grand total of one yard.

–First-round cornerback Marcus Peters (-0.5) had a mixed outing against the Seahawks. He was out of position for what should really have been a 21-yard gain on a Jermaine Kearse corner route early in the first, then gave up a huge cushion to allow Tyler Lockett an easy first down catch. However, Peters gained a measure of redemption with a fine pass break-up later in the game.

Top 5 graded players:

Justin Houston (+3.6)

Derrick O. Johnson (+3.5)

Josh Martin (+1.8)

Travis Kelce (+1.6)

Donald Stephenson (+1.4)