NFL News & Analysis

SEA-NE grades: Seahawks S Kam Chancellor stars in return to action

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Kam Chancellor #31 and Brock Coyle #52 of the Seattle Seahawks react during the fourth quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks 31, New England Patriots 24

Here are the highest-graded players and top takeaways from the Seahawks' Week 10 victory over the New England Patriots in Foxborough.

New England Patriots

Quarterback grade: Tom Brady, 78.1

Few key mistakes lead Brady to lowest grade of season

Tom Brady, for the most part, was very sharp on the night, finding the open receiver and hitting him in stride to make good gains. He also added in some huge throws down the sidelines in key spots. He hit two third-and-long plays to Julian Edelman to keep drives alive, and one to Rob Gronkowski at the end of the game to bring the Patriots to the goal line. But his badly underthrown ball on a risky deep pass to Malcolm Mitchell was intercepted, and he could have easily lost the game by fumbling the football on a quarterback sneak with less than a minute to go on the goal line. Those mistakes brought his grade down from his high marks in past weeks.

Tom Brady vs pressure

Top offensive grades: 

FB James Develin, 90.5

TE Martellus Bennett, 86.6

C David Andrews, 82.1

OT Marcus Cannon, 81.2

OT Nate Solder, 78.9

Power running game key compliment to Patriots' offense 

In addition to Brady’s performance, the Patriots were able to run the football pretty effectively along the edges of the Seahawks' defense. LeGarrette Blount only ran for 69 yards, but showed good power after contact and was able to score three times. Both offensive tackles Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon held up well in the run game, and James Devlin proved to be an effective weapon as a FB in limited snaps, helping pave the way for Blount. The running game was important in keeping the many Seattle pass-rushers honest, and was a solid compliment to the Patriots' dangerous offense that was absent of a run game the last time these two teams met.

Top defensive grades:

DI Malcolm Brown, 79.5

DI Alan Branch, 79.3

ED Trey Flowers, 77.4

ED Rob Ninkovich, 76.3

S Devin McCourty, 74.8

Logan Ryan and Elandon Roberts highlight defensive issues

The Patriots showed that they were willing to play a bend-but-don’t-break style, and make the Seattle offense work for every first down gained, but Logan Ryan and Elandon Roberts were key detriments to this plan. Logan Ryan was responsible for six receptions for 101 yards, and for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. Ryan finished with a 28.8 overall grade, the worst mark in the game. Elandon Roberts was not much better in his first game replacing Jamie Collins as a full-time player. He was often reached at the second level by an offensive line that has struggled badly all year run blocking. He was also beaten on a 38-yard pass down the sideline to HB CJ Prosise to put the Seahawks at the Patriots’ 2-yard line. Roberts, who had flashed in run defense in previous weeks, earned just a 36.5 run-defense grade.

Seattle Seahawks

Quarterback grade: Russell Wilson, 76.6

Patient Wilson solid in Seahawks victory 

It's evident that Russell Wilson’s mobility is not all the way back from where it once was, but he is looking more comfortable every week. The Patriots' defensive game-plan was to keep Wilson in front of them, make him sit back and diagnose the defense, and deliver passes on time to his receivers. Wilson did a good job by staying patient when the Patriots rushed three or less, moving around and making plays down the field. Wilson also continued his recent downfield accuracy, going four-for-seven for 137 yards on passes traveling 20+ yards in the air.

Russell Wilson vs pressure

Top offensive grades:

HB C.J. Prosise, 80.0

WR Doug Baldwin, 79.9

FB Will Tukuafu, 79.3

QB Russell Wilson, 76.6

WR Tyler Lockett, 74.1

C.J. Prosise establishes himself amongst crowded backfield

The Seahawks have struggled for much of the year finding their running game on offense, but C.J. Prosise may be the spark the team needs going forward. He was decisive running the ball and forced five missed tackles on the night. He also was a huge asset in the passing game, as well, against the Patriots' linebackers. Prosise caught all seven of his targets for 87 yards. Two plays in the passing game stood out when he shook Shea McClellan early in the game on a key third down, and when he outran Elandon Roberts down the sideline for a 38-yard gain.

Top defensive grades:

S Kam Chancellor, 89.1

ED Frank Clark, 82.0

CB Richard Sherman, 80.6

LB Bobby Wagner, 77.6

ED Damontre Moore, 76.2

Chancellor stars in his return to action

After sitting out several weeks with a groin injury, Kam Chancellor made his return just in time for when his team needed him the most. Chancellor was key in coverage against the Patriots' two TEs all night. When in coverage against Gronkowski and Bennett, Chancellor allowed three catches on five targets for 27 yards and had a pass defense. Frank Clark led the effort up front for the Seahawks with a sack and three separate pressures, earning a 76.0 pass-rush grade.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Kam Chancellor, S, Seahawks

PFF’s player grading process includes multiple reviews, which may change the grade initially published in order to increase its accuracy. Learn more about how we grade and access grades for every player through each week of the NFL season by subscribing to Player Grades.

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