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Seahawks’ Defense Does It Again. Curse Against Rams Finally Broken.

Seahawks’ Defense Does It Again. Curse Against Rams Finally Broken.

The Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1) defeated the Los Angeles Rams (4-10), their first win against the Rams since December 28th, 2014. This long-time-coming win also sealed the NFC West title for the Seahawks, their third division championship in four years. The Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1) will play the New Orleans Saints, and the San Francisco 49ers (1-12) will play the Atlanta Falcons, on Sunday, December 17th. The Defense Brings The Heat Again In 14 opening drives this season, the Seahawks’ offense has…

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Seahawks’ Offense Was Outgunned And Outcoached, Did Buccaneers Call Psychic Hotline?

Seahawks’ Offense Was Outgunned And Outcoached, Did Buccaneers Call Psychic Hotline?

Outside of the first quarter, a thin defensive unit—missing Pro Bowlers Earl Thomas and Michael Bennett, starting cornerback DeShawn Shead, and fill-in linebacker Brock Coyle—used physicality to force Tampa Bay out of their offense. Frank Clark drew a holding penalty in the end zone for a safety. Kam Chancellor made an incredible open field tackle on Doug Martin to (probably) save a touchdown. Cassius Marsh got underneath tight end Cameron Brate to take down Doug Martin for a loss. Ahtyba Rubin reached in to strip the ball from Doug Martin. Yet, no one contributed in the same manner as KJ Wright. North of three minutes left in the half, with the Buccaneers on the Seahawks’ 33-yard line, Wright blew up a screen pass to Martin, tackling Martin for a two-yard loss. Minutes later, Wright dropped a shoulder so hard into Brate that Brate was knocked backward before going out of bounds, causing the quarter to expire before the Buccaneers could attempt a field goal.

Wright’s best play was early in the third quarter, on 3rd and 1. The Buccaneers had committed to the run all afternoon and this short yardage situation was no different. The offense brought in an extra offensive lineman and lined up in the eye formation with a tight end acting as a fullback. Despite these big bodies, Wright got antsy, approaching the line. He flinched his left leg in a step toward the bottom side of the line. He knew where to attack this run, and he knew why he needed a quick step to the outside. At the snap, offensive guard Kevin Pamphile (64) headed upfield to take out Wright, but Wright’s step down caused Pamphile to slide past him. By the time Wright made his move, Bobby Wagner (54) was being taken out by Brate. Wright split the remaining run blocking in two.

The Hawks Deal Blows To The AFC East, Real Test Comes This Sunday

The Hawks Deal Blows To The AFC East, Real Test Comes This Sunday

Due to the size mismatch, Coyle did not attack offensive lineman Ryan Groy’s upper body. He went low, taking out Groy’s knees. In a remarkable display of energy, once free, Coyle moved inside for a potential rush on quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor attempted to flush out of the pocket, and Brock sprung to the outside. Taylor adjusted, moving inside, where Coyle caught him. In terms of football IQ, Brock has some gains to make, but like many of the Carroll-era players, the guy is a baller and has some real meat on his bones.

Beyond that, third down has become difficult because Jeremy Lane has disappeared. Last year, Lane was far and away the better cover corner to Deshawn Shead. This year? Week after week, you see Lane, hell, you see Sherman, getting owned, but when does it happen to Shead? When does he get burned? When does his lack of discipline cost the team a touchdown? It’s hard to explain because defensive backs don’t take a leap like Shead has. The job is a hunter position. Sometimes hunting requires a DB to go for the kill. Sometimes it requires patience. But, the hunter always knows. And, right now, Sherman is giving yards and touchdowns, Kelcie McCray is struggling, even Earl Thomas is occasionally missing tackles, but Deshawn Shead?

As Injuries Mount, Seahawks Still Poised For A Super Bowl Run

As Injuries Mount, Seahawks Still Poised For A Super Bowl Run

Russell Wilson has a step again. Wilson’s three rushes for 11 yards may sound modest, but it represented a huge leap in productivity. (He had rushed for only 33 yards all season). On an early third down in the second half, the play called for Wilson to roll out to find a well-covered Prosise. Wilson turned upfield for the first down. His second rush picked up four yards on the edge, setting up a 3rd and 2. Both drives resulted in a field goal. His final rush kick-started a potential game-winning drive by getting the offense in a 2nd and reasonable situation. Free from his ankle tape, Wilson found a spring in his step. His healing knee did not seriously impede his north/south speed, but when forced to make a cut, he immediately slowed. So long as Wilson only runs north/south and then slides or dives, the offense should continue to open up.

It will take more than Wilson. Fullback Will Tukuafu was brought back before week 8 and he did make a big block to get Christine Michael in the end zone, but like Michael, Tukuafu is not a long term solution. This system wants flexibility out of the backfield and neither can provide it.

The offense is first and goal from the five-yard line. Despite Jimmy Graham lining up as a blocker, the Saints have only four rushers at the line of scrimmage and none of their linebackers seem concerned. Why are the Saints not playing the run? Instead of Michael in the backfield, it’s Tukuafu, who is not a threat to run the ball. Why is Tukuafu in the backfield solo? Because Michael is terrible at pass protection. At the snap, the Saints only send four; meanwhile, the Seahawks have six players committed to protecting Wilson, leaving seven defenders to cover four receivers.

Kam Chancellor’s Modified Role Improves Entire LoB, Takes Defense to New Level

Kam Chancellor’s Modified Role Improves Entire LoB, Takes Defense to New Level

Kam Chancellor’s pass coverage these last two weeks has improved considerably. On an early 2nd and 7, Chancellor played deeper than he was accustomed (which is sometimes so close he’s on the heels of the linebackers). As a result, he was still in position to contain outside if Fitzpatrick had chosen to throw to his side. Midway through the 2nd, on 2nd and 20, Kam stayed back again, then he passed on the big hit to contain. While allowing this wiggle room did give up underneath throws, it stabilized a defense that was frequently playing too aggressively and, quite frankly, was selling out Earl Thomas on the back-end.

Richard Sherman was tested early and often, and like all great players, he eventually responded; however, Sherman may have had such a workout because his counterpart, DeShawn Shead, was bullet-proof. (Eric Decker did not dress). Shead played the press perfectly and even his coverage hand-offs were beautiful. His mental game was so sharp that his body stayed loose and receptive, resulting in little-wasted motion. Unfortunately, this particular hand-off didn’t fully make it on screen, but last season, Shead would’ve hung onto his first assignment, afraid to let it go.

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Divisional Playoff: Just The Beginning

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Divisional Playoff: Just The Beginning

Any season that ended without a Super Bowl victory was a season that ended on a sour note, and so was the end of the 2015 Seahawks. A slow start put the team in the hole at 2-4, and the loss of Marshawn Lynch put the offense in SOS mode. Bevell changed philosophies midseason, coaching his unit into a pass-first offense. For the defense, the underperformance at the second corner position was a yearlong struggle. Defensive coordinator Kris Richard moved on from cornerback Cary Williams and found stability in a combo unit of Jeremy Lane and DeShawn Shead. These mid-season adjustments put the Hawks on a winning streak, resulting in a double-digit win total for the fourth consecutive year.

If there was any consolation to be had, it was the emergence of Russell Wilson as the predominant young quarterback in the NFL. Having lived up to his new contract, Wilson played at an elite level, whether it was using his hands or his feet. His leadership was flawless, and his work ethic and passion had focused the Carroll-era into the winningest stretch of Seahawks football. Seasons came, seasons past—but a mid-to-late round quarterback who led a team to the post-season in his first four years, including winning a Super Bowl, was a level of immediate greatness only two others franchises had been fortunate to befall. The 49ers got Joe Montana. The Patriots got Tom Brady. The Seahawks got Russell Wilson.

2016, be forewarned.

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 15: Wilson Makes History

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 15: Wilson Makes History

Russell Wilson added another three touchdown passes. Having gone five games with 3+ TD passes in each, and having thrown zero interceptions during the span, Wilson had made a claim no other professional quarterback could make. His hot streak was now not only season transforming, it was NFL history.

The deciding touchdown was taken out of the shotgun and thrown downfield to Tyler Lockett. Lockett had crossed the formation and, at the snap, was being chased by linebacker Tank Carder, who had been obstructed by Jermaine Kearse. Once Kearse was free, he cut inside, taking cornerback Trey Caldwell and safety Tashaun Gipson with him. Lockett simply jetted down the sidelines, and by the time Caldwell had recovered, Lockett had located the ball and crossed into the end zone. Caldwell did lasso Lockett’s right arm, but all it accomplished was making the catch that much more spectacular.

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 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.

Week Fourteen: Wilson Rules.

Week Fourteen: Wilson Rules.

The Seahawks are firing on all cylinders as they toyed with a Ravens team on the brink of implosion. Sporting another five TD pass performance, Russell Wilson continued on a hot steak that began with his TD/INT ratio at 10:7 and now stands at 25:7. While some of his efficiency number came back down into our atmosphere, they are reserved for some of the top quarterbacks in the league. It isn’t the touchdowns or yards themselves, it’s the efficiency and precision. When the Hawks were at 2-4, it was reasonable to question the soul of this team, but Wilson has answered.