NEW ORLEANS -- The Seattle Seahawks are in an all-too familiar situation five weeks into the season, back in the throes of another miserable start on defense. It continued Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, when the usual culprits -- missed tackles that led to explosive plays, penalties and an inability to get off the field on third down -- led to a 39-32 loss, despite more brilliance from Geno Smith and the offense.
Safety Ryan Neal, who had just made his first start of the season after taking over for Josh Jones as the replacement for the injured Jamal Adams, refused to excuse it as the product of new players and a new scheme, noting how they're more than a quarter into the season.