Browsed by
Tag: playoffs

Loss To Cardinals Full Of Silver Linings, Still Hope For Our Seahawks

Loss To Cardinals Full Of Silver Linings, Still Hope For Our Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks (9-5-1) lost to the Arizona Cardinals (6-8-1). The Los Angeles Rams (4-11) lost to the San Francisco 49ers (2-12). Let’s Workshop This Offense (Some More) Germain Ifedi Is Getting Up To Game Speed. Weeks ago, 18to40 took apart a “stunt” play on Ifedi. During the play, Ifedi got stuck on his initial assignment, chasing Buccaneers’ defensive lineman Gerald McCoy in favor of holding his ground for defensive lineman Ryan Russell. When Ifedi realized his mistake, he watched…

Read More Read More

18to40 One-Off: Chiefs Face Big Time Thursday Night Game, Four Keys To Victory

18to40 One-Off: Chiefs Face Big Time Thursday Night Game, Four Keys To Victory

Thursday night, December 7th, the Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) will attempt to break the Oakland Raiders (10-2) six-game winning streak. Owning the superior division record, a Chiefs victory would move the team into either the one or two seed, a title filled with so many tie-breakers that it’s difficult to make sense out of it. Here are four aspects to a Chiefs victory. Houston, We Have A Problem. A pass rushing extraordinary with a knack for deflecting passes and forcing…

Read More Read More

Redemption Win Against Panthers Proves Bittersweet; Minus Thomas, Team Must Overcome Greatest Challenge Yet

Redemption Win Against Panthers Proves Bittersweet; Minus Thomas, Team Must Overcome Greatest Challenge Yet

The Seahawks hand a beat down to the Panthers. Everything is right with the universe.

No position on the Seahawks was of greater concern and uncertainty than that of running back, where a string of injuries cost the offense its versatility. The backfield carnage started with CJ Prosise’s wrist injury and was followed by Russell Wilson’s ankle, Thomas Rawl’s leg, Wilson’s knee, Prosise’s shoulder, Troymaine Pope’s ankle, and then, momentarily on Sunday, Rawls in the concussion protocol. Finally, on Sunday, the offense played its first game with both Wilson and Rawls at full strength since week 14 of the 2015 season. What resulted was a running explosion of 240 yards, the strongest performance of the season and a rebound from a season-low 33 yards only a month prior. This dramatic improvement has hardly been formulaic. Against the Patriots and the Eagles, Prosise was the leading rusher. Against the Buccaneers, it was Wilson. Against the Panthers, it was Rawls. This running game is not only resurfacing but is no longer built for one specific person or one specific philosophy. It wants lots of weapons with lots of options and the personnel is there, if these guys can stay on the field.

Prosise’s and Wilson’s performances almost feel like slow motion juxtaposed to the eye-popping displays of instinct and speed from Rawls.

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 17: Lockett Goes Light Speed

2015 Seahawks Re-Watch, Week 17: Lockett Goes Light Speed

For his efforts as a return specialist, Lockett earned Pro Bowl honors. Seven other Seahawks made the squad. Russell Wilson was the only offensive player to do so, having been the best quarterback in football during November and December. Incidentally, his touchdown pass to Coffman broke the single-season team record. The previous mark of 32 was held by Dave Krieg, who accomplished the feat in 1984. The remaining spots belonged to familiar names. Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, an underrated speed guy and sure fire tackler, made it and so did Michael Bennett, the elite defensive lineman. Cornerback Richard Sherman earned a nod, mostly likely for his success in adapting to an expanded role in the secondary. Safety Earl Thomas, by far the best player for the Seahawks in 2015, earned his nod for being a 5’10” human being who played as if he were fifty-yard wall towering along the field. Lastly, safety Kam Chancellor was selected, but the selection was a tad controversial. Chancellor had missed two games due to a holdout and had an iffy year in pass coverage. As it was, after his Pro Bowl selection, he injured his tailbone and missed the rest of the regular season, playing in only 11 games, a career low.

Several Hawks received nods as alternates, including defensive end Chris Avril, who had a superb season, and kicker Steven Hauschka, whose foot was as golden as ever. Also, running back Marshawn Lynch and left tackle Russell Okung were elected. With so many Seahawks on the roster, it was hard to imagine any players being snubbed, but two Seahawks had strong cases. Doug Baldwin earned the honor as an alternate but would have likely been a straight-up Pro Browler had voting occurred closer to the conclusion of the regular season. Meanwhile, KJ Wright was a borderline candidate, finishing the year with 116 combined tackles and four forced fumbles. A player on the rise, Wright’s efforts in 2015 were off the charts, even if he did not produce the sexiest stat line.

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.

Divisional Playoff: Just Short.

Divisional Playoff: Just Short.

The 2015 Seahawks ends in disappointing fashion but how the team evolved and improved is a testament to the organization. Whether it was going to Rawls or cutting Cary Williams or dumping the run-first offense, the Hawks always embrace change and take big risks to improve. From 2-4 to 11-7, the Seahawks showed us the entire gamut of what a football season can be. Through dramatic highs and dramatic lows, the Hawks ultimately found their stride in a rebuilt offense led by its superstar, Russell Wilson.

Week Seventeen: End It Right.

Week Seventeen: End It Right.

The Seahawks closed out the regular season in a dominating fashion. Led by Tyler Lockett and the imploding Cardinals specials teams unit, Russell Wilson and Co found themselves within striking distance of the red zone on many drives. In fact, the field was so short that Wilson’s 3 touchdowns were accompanied by only 197 passing yards (only played 3 quarters). Meanwhile, the defense was feisty and opportunistic. With the pass rush able to put in some early hits on Carson Palmer, the potential NFL MVP began forcing his throws and lost his accuracy.

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.