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The\u00a0Seattle Seahawks\u00a0are rolling right now. After destroying the\u00a0Arizona Cardinals\u00a044-22 in Week 10, the Seahawks have now won their past four games, pushing their record to 7-2 on the season. That has set the stage for a wildly important divisional clash with the\u00a0Los Angeles Rams\u00a0in Week 11 that could have some major playoff implications.<\/p>\n
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There isn\u2019t much that would be able to take the wind out of Seattle\u2019s sails, but injuries could do the trick. Sure enough, the Seahawks suffered a tough injury blow to their offensive line, as\u00a0Jalen Sundell\u00a0is expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee injury. That means\u00a0Olu Oluwatimi\u00a0will be filling in for him moving forward, and\u00a0offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak\u00a0made it clear just how much faith he has in his new starting center.<\/p>\n
After a quiet rookie season, Sundell emerged as the Seahawks\u2019 starting center this year, and he\u2019s been a key piece of an offensive line that has done an excellent job of protecting quarterback Sam Darnold under center. Without him now, though, the team is going to have to turn to Oluwatimi, who initially seemed to have the inside track to being Seattle\u2019s starting center this year.<\/p>\n
A fifth-round pick in the 2023\u00a0NFL\u00a0Draft, Oluwatimi started eight of the 12 games he played in last season at center. His play left a lot to be desired, though, and Sundell ended up replacing him as the team\u2019s starting center this season. Seattle will now have to turn back to Oluwatimi, though, as Sundell is expected to miss quite a bit of time with his knee injury.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s obviously not an ideal situation, especially when considering that Oluwatimi and Darnold weren\u2019t on the same page for a snap that led to a fumble in the team\u2019s win over the Cardinals last weekend. While Kubiak admitted those sorts of mistakes can\u2019t happen, he sounded\u00a0confident\u00a0with Oluwatimi\u2019s ability to fill in for Sundell.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlu had a really good training camp,\u201d Kubiak said on Thursday. \u201cOlu is a really good player, and really glad to have him come in and be our center. We need all the reps we can get right now with him, just to get back up to speed. I liked the way he came into the game (against the Cardinals). We did put the ball on the ground, which is unacceptable \u2026 so we gotta be better there.\u201d<\/p>\n
GettySam Darnold is one of the best passers in the NFL thanks, in part, to stellar offensive line play.<\/p>\n
Sundell\u2019s injury could not have come at a worse time, as this contest against the Rams could have a major impact on how the rest of the Seahawks\u2019 season plays out. Both of these teams are 7-2, and in the process, they have emerged as perhaps the two most dangerous teams in the NFC. With the\u00a0San Francisco 49ers\u00a0also looming behind them with a 6-3 record, there isn\u2019t much room for error in the NFC West right now.<\/p>\n
Oluwatimi is going to have his work cut out for him against a potent Los Angeles front seven. He will have the help of a talented group around him, though, so if Oluwatimi can keep Darnold off his backside and ensure he\u2019s actually getting the football on his snaps, he should be able to at least hold his own in this one. Kickoff for this major divisional matchup is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
When\u00a0Cincinnati Bengals\u00a0defensive coordinator Al Golden was asked to identify the standout performer of training camp, his answer caught many by surprise. Instead of naming a high-profile veteran or a flashy first-round pick, Golden pointed to second-year defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr., declaring that he \u201carguably has had the best camp of anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a defense that struggled mightily in 2024, Golden\u2019s endorsement of Jenkins represents more than just praise for individual improvement\u2014it signals hope for a unit that desperately needs playmakers to emerge from within.<\/p>\n
Jenkins\u2019 rise comes after a disappointing rookie campaign that left many questioning whether the 49th overall pick from Michigan could live up to expectations. Al Golden\u2019s recent comments shed light on why Jenkins struggled in his first season and what has changed heading into 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe missed a lot of camp with an arm issue, and he was behind from the get-go,\u201d\u00a0Golden explained during a recent media session.\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t think he was either 100 percent, nor was he happy with the way it went for him. And he\u2019s worked really hard to remedy that, and really take his game to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n
The injury context provides a crucial perspective on Jenkins\u2019 rookie struggles. Missing significant practice time as a first-year player is challenging enough, but doing so while dealing with an arm injury that likely affected his ability to engage blockers made his situation even more difficult. The fact that Golden specifically mentions Jenkins wasn\u2019t \u201c100 percent\u201d suggests the injury had lingering effects throughout his debut season.<\/p>\n
What makes Golden\u2019s\u00a0praise particularly noteworthy\u00a0is his emphasis on Jenkins\u2019 versatility and improved pass-rushing ability. The defensive coordinator highlighted how Jenkins has evolved beyond his expected role, becoming \u201ca better pass-rusher on early downs\u201d while maintaining his strength as a run defender.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s strong. He brings energy,\u201d\u00a0Golden noted.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re giving him the freedom to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
This freedom to rush the passer on early downs represents a significant development in Jenkins\u2019 game. Most defensive tackles are primarily tasked with stopping the run and occupying blockers, but Golden\u2019s comments suggest Jenkins has shown enough pass-rushing ability to warrant expanded responsibilities. For a Bengals defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in several key categories last season, having an interior defensive lineman who can create pressure is invaluable.<\/p>\n
Jenkins\u2019 improvement shouldn\u2019t come as a complete surprise given his background. His father, Kris Jenkins Sr., was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle who played 11 seasons in the NFL. That kind of pedigree, combined with Jenkins Jr.\u2019s decorated college career at\u00a0Michigan under Jim Harbaugh,\u00a0suggests the physical tools and football intelligence were always there.<\/p>\n
The younger Jenkins also brings legitimate athleticism to the position. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, he possesses the size to handle NFL offensive linemen while maintaining enough agility to be effective as a pass rusher. His college production at Michigan, where he was a key contributor to a successful program, demonstrated his ability to perform at a high level when healthy and properly developed.<\/p>\n
Jenkins\u2019 emergence couldn\u2019t come at a better time\u00a0for Cincinnati\u2019s defense.\u00a0The unit struggled significantly in 2024, and the addition of a reliable interior pass rusher would address multiple concerns. Currently, veteran BJ Hill carries much of the load on the defensive line, but his effectiveness diminishes when he\u2019s asked to play too many snaps.<\/p>\n
Having Jenkins step up as a legitimate contributor would allow Hill to stay fresher throughout games and potentially be more effective in crucial situations. As Golden\u2019s comments suggest, the Bengals were \u201cterrified\u201d whenever Hill left the field last season, knowing the drop-off in production was significant.<\/p>\n
The signing of free agent TJ Slaton as a run-stopping specialist provides another piece of the puzzle. With Slaton handling early-down run def ense duties and Jenkins developing as a pass rusher, the Bengals could finally have the interior line depth they\u2019ve been lacking.<\/p>\n
Al Golden\u2019s enthusiasm for Jenkins extends beyond just individual development. The defensive coordinator\u2019s comments suggest he sees Jenkins as a player who can raise the ceiling of the entire defensive line unit. The 23-year-old\u2019s combination of physical tools, improved technique, and renewed confidence could make him a key factor in the Bengals\u2019 defensive turnaround.<\/p>\n
The timing is particularly crucial given the Bengals\u2019 championship aspirations. With\u00a0Joe Burrow\u00a0leading one of the NFL\u2019s most explosive offenses, the team needs its defense to make signi ficant improvements to compete with the league\u2019s elite teams. Jenkins\u2019 development represents the kind of internal growth that can transform a unit without requiring major external investments.<\/p>\n
Jenkins\u2019 emergence also reflects well on the Bengals\u2019 drafting and development strategies. While not every draft pick immediately contributes, Jenkins\u2019 trajectory shows the importance of patience and proper development, especially for players dealing with injuries early in their careers.<\/p>\n
His success could also provide a template for other young players on the roster. The Bengals have invested in several developmental prospects in recent drafts, including\u00a0first-round pick Shemar Stewart\u00a0and linebackers\u00a0Demetrius Knight Jr.\u00a0and Barrett Carter. Jenkins\u2019 transformation from disappointing rookie to training camp standout demonstrates what\u2019s possible with dedication and proper coaching.<\/p>\n
Al Golden\u2019s impact on the Cincinnati Bengals\u2019 defense extends beyond just scheme changes. His ability to identify and develop talent like Jenkins suggests the defensive coordinator brings more than just strategic knowledge to Cincinnati. His enthusiasm and communication style appear to be connecting with players, creating an environment where improvements like Jenkins\u2019 can flourish.<\/p>\n
Golden\u2019s willingness to give Jenkins \u201cfreedom\u201d to rush the passer on early downs also indicates a coordinator who adapts his system to his players\u2019 strengths rather than forcing square pegs into round holes. This flexibility could be crucial as the Bengals work to maximize their defensive potential.<\/p>\n
As the 2025 season approaches, Jenkins\u2019 development represents one of the most encouraging storylines for Cincinnati\u2019s defense. If Golden\u2019s assessment proves accurate, the Bengals may have found an unexpected game-changer in their second-year defensive tackle\u2014exactly the kind of internal improvement they need to complement their championship-caliber offense.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The\u00a0Seattle Seahawks\u00a0are rolling right now. After destroying the\u00a0Arizona Cardinals\u00a044-22 in Week 10, the Seahawks have now won their past four games, pushing their record to 7-2 on the season. That has set…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t