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.
Post his Jake Delhomme-esque conference championship meltdown, Carson Palmer will enter this season with some serious psychological ghosts. No doubt, the Arizona Cardinals will feel no better about the prospect. In a QB starved league, the Cardinals can do no better than Palmer, but can Palmer do them any better?
Not often does one say that a quarterback made the most important tackle of a game, but Russell Wilson did exactly that. Offensive lineman Alvin Bailey had drawn the short stick against defensive end Greg Hardy, an immensely talented yet deeply troubled player. Bailey’s job was to use a cut block against Hardy, a technique where Bailey would obstruct Hardy by attacking Hardy’s lower torso and thighs; instead, Hardy side-stepped Bailey, using his strength to spring free. At 6’5” and 280lbs, Hardy swallowed parts of the sky as he plucked Wilson’s pass from the air. Already in the backfield, Hardy took off for what he expected was a touchdown. However, the undersized Wilson went low on Hardy, wrapping up the defender’s knees. Once again, Hardy powered through, leaving Wilson one final option. He clamped onto Hardy’s ankle, tripping him—an impressive improvisation for a player whose employment was based on avoiding tackles, not making them.
After years of sending the Panthers home in tears, the Seahawks were swept by the Panthers in 2015. It’s a nice chance at revenge, but it is difficult to understand what type of Panthers team the Seahawks will face.
The Seahawks were 2-4, a record that reflected poor play but also a murderous schedule. Of the five teams remaining in the league with a perfect record, the Seahawks had lost to three of them. In each game, the lead was forfeited in the final two minutes. What had happened in 2015 was a mix of things, but mostly, the letdown was on account of incredibly high expectations, maybe to a level where only disappointment could follow.
You can circle week 10 and hope your revenge fantasies against the New England Patriots come to fruition.
Big plays were a part of any Carroll-era team, and even the inconsistent 2015 Seahawks were an excellent show to watch. Tyler Lockett had had a kickoff and punt return touchdown. Carrie Williams had a strip fumble for a touchdown. Bobby Wagner had a fumble return for a touchdown. Kam had a forced fumble to beat the Lions. Thomas Rawls had a 73 yard run for a touchdown. Against the Panthers, Ricardo Lockette came down with the catch of his career.
Every NFL season brings the game known as, “The Heartbreaker.” Many different forms of heartbreak exist. Losing a close game to an underdog. Getting blown out. Throwing the untimely interception. Giving up a winning field goal. Missing the winning field goal. Every fan base wants the heartbreak, save they want to be serving it instead of tasting it. And yet, every season, no matter how good or bad the team, heartbreak shows its ugly face. In the case of the 2015 season, no loss was a greater one than the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a game where the Seahawks entered the fourth quarter up 24-7, only give up another massive fourth quarter rally, losing in overtime, 24-27.