Thanks to the Redskins losing on Saturday, the Seahawks clinched a wild card spot with their win over the Chiefs Sunday night. It was a 38-31 thriller that saw the Seahawks play as efficiently on offense as they have all season, with just enough in the tank defensively to keep the Chiefs at bay. There’s a lot of praise to throw around, so let’s get to it!
What I’m Geeked Out About After Fifteen Games
I don’t know if you’re going to find a better example of how elite the Seahawks’ passing game can be than in this one. Again, as usual, the numbers aren’t mind-blowing. Russell Wilson threw for only 271 yards, but that’s also on only 18 completions and 29 attempts (for a 9.3 yard average). There were too many deep throws to count, and seemingly everything was with the precision of an all-time great. Wilson was absolutely phenomenal, and that game was yet another showcase of why he deserves to be in the MVP discussion. Also, Doug Baldwin was a man possessed! And Tyler Lockett continues to be one of the most underrated receivers in the league, both with his big plays, but also his ability to draw flags that help move the chains. The Seahawks were 7/14 on third down, and so much of that had to do with the passing game coming up HUGE on some long-distance third downs.
Other Things That Caught My Eye (In A Good Way)
Chris Carson: 27 carries for 116 yards and 2 TDs. Ed Dickson with a TD and an 18-yard reception on third & long to keep the team going. Russell Wilson’s legs, which ran for 57 yards on 8 carries.
Defensively, again, Bobby Wagner was all over the place with 12 tackles. Bradley McDougald stepped up huge with Tedric Thompson on the shelf, while nursing injuries of his own. Dion Jordan flashed on a bunch of plays, coming up with a sack, a forced fumble, 5 tackles (2 for loss), and a couple quarterback hits.
I thought the secondary really stepped up. You’re never going to stop a team like the Chiefs from doing what they want to do, but if you can make it difficult on them, that’s all I can really ask for. Tyreek Hill is such an explosive weapon, so to hold him to 4 catches for 74 yards is pretty great. Even better was holding Travis Kelce to 5 catches and only 54 yards. Sure, Mahomes had 273 yards and 3 TDs, but he had to throw it 40 times to Russell’s 29, while completing 23 to Russell’s 18. The Seahawks are doing more with less, and that’s why we’re so tough to beat.
Other Things That Caught My Eye (In A Bad Way)
It’s Christmas Eve and I shouldn’t have to be at work today, so I’m wrapping this up soon. I’ll say this: the rush defense wasn’t spectacular, and I worry about that in the playoffs. I’m sure I’ll have more to say on that topic another time.
Also, the special teams gave up another monster return, and Janikowski missed a field goal and got hurt on another missed field goal (that was converted to a first down on a roughing the kicker penalty). I hope between now and next week, Janikowski gets ALL the shitty kicks out of his system, so he can have a perfect post-season, otherwise I might lose my fucking mind.