Week Sixteen: Only a Hiccup.

Week Sixteen: Only a Hiccup.

A few things that happened this Sunday–the Patriots, Steelers, Panthers and Packers all lost. Meanwhile, the Vikings–one of the worst offenses in the league–put up 49 points. Go figure. Yesterday was one of those weird Sundays that happen once or twice a season. About nothing makes sense (except for the Chargers blowing an overtime game–that made perfect sense). The Seahawks got caught in the same game the Patriots, Panthers and Steelers got caught in, the “trap” game against an inferior divisional opponent who played way above their heads to win.

Week Fifteen: Playoff Bound.

Week Fifteen: Playoff Bound.

The Seahawk’s offense answered the call yesterday with a rousing 30-13 romp over the Cleveland Browns, a team that intended to shock the world with their victory over the Seahawks, and outside of one drive in the first quarter, showed no ability to do so. By dispatching the Brown, the Seahawks have earned themselves a wildcard playoff spot at either the fifth or sixth seed in the NFC.

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.

Week Twelve: The Breakthrough. (Yes, It’s Happening).

Week Twelve: The Breakthrough. (Yes, It’s Happening).

The Seahawks gained their biggest win of the season, and put themselves in the drivers seat for the playoffs, with an invigorating victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the first time this year, the offense came to play, and they were able to orchestra several long scoring drives, including a fourth quarter TD to ice the game. Meanwhile, the defense struggled–once again–against a talented passer who could decide where he was throwing on his pre-snap read. This was an exciting game that came right down to the finish and saw Seattle hold a fourth quarter lead to victory.

Week Eleven: Rawls Roars.

Week Eleven: Rawls Roars.

My buddy Jem Baslak defined the Seahawks to two words. “Disappointment. Potential.” I have to get on board with that assessment. They’re clearly the most talented 5-5 squadron in the pack of NFL mediocrity but will these changes be enough? The Seahawks have a tough schedule to close the season. Starting with the Steelers this week, followed by the Vikings, and closing the season with the Cardinals in Arizona, which one can already imagine with be either for the NFC West or for a wildcard spot. To get into the postseason, 9-7 may be stretching it. 10-6 is the way to feel safe.

Week Ten: Wilson’s Warming Up.

Week Ten: Wilson’s Warming Up.

After 9 weeks of silence, the media is finally coming out against Seattle’s offense. I think most people felt the Seahawk’s would figure it out sooner or later but you’re starting to hear things like, “The Seahawks are just now figuring out what they have in Jimmy Graham.” Translation: “They have no clue what they are doing with this guy.” (It’s not just if they use them, it’s how they use them–it’s weird). Or when Collinsworth said, “You know, it might be nice to see some timed passing routes once and a while.” Translation: “They have no clue on how convert first downs with the passing game.”

Week Eight: The Sherman Show.

Week Eight: The Sherman Show.

I don’t care if Dez Bryant was coming off an injury, Richard Sherman beat him to every attack point on every throw. He played at top speed. He played with instinct. He stayed with Dez on the right or left side. In a low scoring, ugly game where a field goal decided win or loss, Sherman ensured that the Cowboys would not beat the Seahawks by getting one in over the top.

Week 7: Better and Worse.

Week 7: Better and Worse.

The Seahawks are marching down the field scoring touchdowns and field goals (Wilson threw another red zone INT, but whatever, the passing game was still working), it seems like the Seahawks will blow this game open… You look at how they’re playing in the first half and you think, “Hey this could easily be a 27-0, 27-3 victory. Look how fresh they look. And we finally connected on the long bomb with Lockett. This feels like the football team we all know they should be.”

And then…….

Week Six: The Fourth Quarter Shakedown.

Week Six: The Fourth Quarter Shakedown.

At the beginning of the year, it felt destined that the Hawks would participate in a rematch against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 50. They used Gronk to kill us, so we went out and got Jimmy Graham to kill them. Alas, the revenge season where the Hawks trample on everyone may not be meant to be. Regardless, the Hawks played better in each subsequent loss than they did the previous. Maybe there is hope?