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Seahawks' Flowers: Defensive issues 'a schematic thing'

Adam Bettcher / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Tre Flowers blamed the Seattle Seahawks' system for their defensive issues, which hit another level Sunday in their 30-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

"It's a schematic thing, I feel like," the cornerback said, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. "I've got my own questions to ask."

Seattle allowed Kirk Cousins to shred its secondary to the tune of 323 yards and three touchdowns. Flowers said Seahawks defenders were confused about how to defend certain routes.

Cousins' banner day came a week after Ryan Tannehill put up 347 yards on Seattle's secondary and led the Tennessee Titans back from a 15-point deficit. Carson Wentz threw for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Seahawks in the season opener.

Head coach Pete Carroll said the team "threw everything" at the Vikings schematically Sunday. He admitted he'll consider potential changes to help spark the struggling secondary.

Flowers indicated that a revision to his role could be the first step in restoring the pass defense.

"Sadly, y'all want me to be (Richard) Sherman," he said, per The Athletic's Gregg Bell.

The 26-year-old asserted his confidence in the defense's ability to turn the tide, pointing to the number of games left on the schedule.

"Concerning? No, not all," he said. "It's a 17-game season. It's a long way. We are going to fix whatever it is and get back to work."

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