Thomas Rawls’ Two-Game Performance vs the 49ers and Steelers - 336 Yards, 3 TDs

On Saturday, I took a look at Russell Wilson’s performance including Rawls’ touchdown on a wheel-route versus the 49ers’ Cover 2 in Play 3. Here’s another example of how Rawls was used in the passing game, when the 49ers brought the blitz.

Play 5
Situation: 1st and 10 at 50
Description: (11:51 - 1st) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short right to T.Rawls to SF 38 for 12 yards (T.Brock)
Opponent: 49ers

• Rawls from the backfield runs a quick flare-route on the opposite side of the Seahawks’ shotgun trips formation.
• This is a similar play that both the Redskins, Dolphins, and Patriots all run using a lone tight end and a running back in the flat, which makes sense since all four teams have west coast offense roots.
• It works here, because it isolates the underneath zone defenders on the right sideline, while the 49ers bring a multi-level blitz meaning Wilson will likely go to his hot-route receiver out of the backfield for the quick dump pass.
• Before he is about to be tackled, Rawls angerly hits cornerback #26 Brock again (legally) before tripping over him for the 12 yard gain. Would have been another 10 yards if he didn’t step out-of-bounds.

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Rawls versus the Steelers in Week 12

Play 6
Situation: 1st and 10 at SEA 41
Description: (13:47 - 1st) T.Rawls right tackle to SEA 47 for 6 yards (M.Mitchell)
Opponent: Steelers

• This is a split zone running play that we didn’t see much of versus the 49ers in the previous week.
• After the snap, the offensive line zone blocks to the left, reach and combo-blocking their defenders, while Graham kick-out blocks the edge defender: rookie linebacker Bud Dupree.
• Rawls takes the snap and starts right avoiding the tackle of safety #20 Will Allen, then hops over the arm tackle of cornerback #41 Antwon Blake for the 6 yard gain. This play shows how light and nimble he is on his feet while he runs.

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Play 7
Situation: 2nd and 4 at SEA 47
Description: (13:15 - 1st) T.Rawls left guard to PIT 36 for 17 yards (W.Allen; R.Shazier)
Opponent: Steelers

• To go along with the Seahawks’ use of the counter zone and the split zone, they like to run the outside stretch zone and the inside zone. This play is the inside zone.
• This play is blown up instantly by the cut block by right guard #64 JR Sweezy on defensive end #91 Stephon Tuitt. Once the collision takes Tuitt to the ground, linebacker #50 Ryan Shazier gets tripped while attempting to fill his gap assignment, which causes the opening into the secondary for Rawls.
• I showed this play because of how Rawls explodes through the hole and then shows the same juke move he used against the 49ers in Plays 2 and 3 (above) to avoid the diving tackle by safety #23 Mike Mitchell.

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Play 8
Situation: 2nd and 8 at SEA 36
Description: (4:53 - 1st) (Shotgun) T.Rawls up the middle to SEA 46 for 10 yards (C.Heyward; R.Cockrell)
Opponent: Steelers

• Like Play 1 against the 49ers, the play-call is a one-back power.
• Rawls shows his ability to set up blocks by hugging the line of scrimmage for JR Sweezy who is pulling to the left outside of the formation.
• After the snap, he reads the block and cuts inside, and then jumps further inside to allow left guard #68 Justin Britt to block linebacker #94 Lawrence Timmons.
• After Rawls avoids Timmons’ tackle, he collides with Will Allen. He actually uses Allen to propel himself back outside left while not being brought down. Simply a great use of power by the rookie running back.

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There are mixed reports right now when, or even if, Marshawn Lynch will return to the Seahawks. For now, though, it looks like Rawls has cemented himself as the starter going forward showing power, quickness, and patience in the Seahawks’ zone blocking scheme under Darrell Bevell. Rawls should continue to get the bulk of the carries and be one of the few remaining feature backs in the NFL. After the 169 yard performance versus the Bengals and this 336 total yard perfomance these past two weeks versus the 49ers and Steelers, he looks to be a great replacement for Lynch at the tail end of his career.

Follow Samuel Gold on Twitter: @SamuelRGold.