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Russell Wilson’s Numerous Picturesque Throws Wow Patriots, Russ’s Rookie Year

Russell Wilson’s Numerous Picturesque Throws Wow Patriots, Russ’s Rookie Year

After two rebuilding seasons under coach Pete Carroll, the Seattle Seahawks had put together a team that was turning heads and changing minds. And it had become clear what was driving the turnaround, the 2012 draft class. Going into the draft, the consensus was the team needed a pass rusher, a linebacker, a quarterback and a running back. Six weeks into the season, it appeared general manager John Schneider had hit a grand slam. First-round draft pick Bruce Irvin was…

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2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 13: A Complete Win

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 13: A Complete Win

After an offensive juggernaut against the Pittsburg Steelers, and being 4-1 over their last five games, the Seahawks were resembling the team of yonder. Spending most of the season in a daze, it was hard to know if these point explosions—in the last three contests, the offense had scored 32, 29, and 39—were signs of true development or simply a fluke. The team would be tested once again in week 13, facing another likely playoff team. The surprising Minnesota Vikings, who had amassed an 8-3 record, were winning in a way the Seahawks recognized. By utilizing a smart, tough defense, the Vikings kept games close, and by utilizing their dynamic tailback, Adrian Peterson, they set a slow and suffocating pace to games.

The way to beat the Vikings was not so different from the way to beat the Seahawks. Use the pass to build an early lead and put that great defense on its heels instead of its toes, thereby relegating that great running game to the bench. Victory was only a matter of sinking the Viking defense’s low scoring ambitions, but could the offense deliver?

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 12: The Youth Movement

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 12: The Youth Movement

The Pittsburg Steelers were in a similar position as the Seattle Seahawks, both had had rough stretches of the season, but had seen a recent uptick in play, and both were battling to obtain a wildcard spot. A victory on this Sunday would put either the Steelers or Seahawks in the driver’s seat. The challenge for the Seahawks was an awesome one. The once elite Legion of Boom had been surgically splintered by quarterbacks who could make pre-snap reads and deliver accurate throws. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was just that, and he was in the midst of an elite season thanks to his chemistry with receiver Antonio Brown. Since returning from injury, Roethlisberger had led the Steelers to a pair of commanding victories, scoring 38 and 30. The Steelers were going to score on the Seahawks, this much seemed certain. A sub-20 point performance from the offense would result in a costly loss. The offense couldn’t just be good—they had to be great. Or more specifically, Russell Wilson had to be great.

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The Seahawks were the top rushing team in the league and had a history of being a top rushing team. With the emergence of Thomas Rawls, and his break-out game against the 49ers, the Steelers decided to send a clear message. Thomas Rawls would not do to them what he had done to others. If the Steelers lost, it would be due to Russell Wilson’s arm. It was a familiar theory. Many teams had had success by selling out to the run and putting the Seahawks in difficult third downs, where the team felt forced to pass. Initially, the Steelers were happy with the plan. While the Hawks had managed to move the ball, the first quarter was a shut-out. A low-scoring game was what the Steelers wanted, but wait…

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 10: The Tale of Two Halves

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 10: The Tale of Two Halves

For the second time in 2015, the Seahawks were .500—but .500 at 2-2 and .500 at 4-4 were different animals. The season half over, nothing short of a two victories against the division leading Arizona Cardinals would allow the Hawks an opportunity at the NFC West crown and a home playoff game.