Seattle opened as seven point underdogs for the first time since October 2012 and found a way to win decisively in New England. The Seahawks were playing on a short week against a Patriots team coming off of a bye week but that didn’t seem to faze them. In a game worthy of being touted as a Super Bowl preview and rematch it had everything fans could ask for. The final play, eerily reminiscent of Super Bowl XLIX, was a statement from Seattle that every blade of grass will be defended.
Seattle Seahawks Week Ten Takeaways
Russell Wilson is Almost Healthy
The quarterback has been dealing with serious injuries for the first time in his career. After suffering a severe high ankle sprain in week one against the Dolphins, he was injured again in week three after an awkward tackle from 49ers linebacker Eli Harold. Suffering from an ankle sprain, grade 2 MCL sprain and pectoral injury would put most quarterbacks out of commission for a couple weeks. Wilson however suited up the next week against the Jets and put on an offensive clinic.
Week 10 against the New England Patriots was the best Wilson has looked since injuring his ankle. He looked nimble moving in the pocket. His spin move to get out of the pocket has become a staple move over the years and it was back on Sunday night. Wilson completed 25 out of his 37 pass attempts for 348 yards, a career high in the regular season for him. Barring any further injuries, the offense can only get more explosive as he gets healthier.
Offensive Line Coming Together
Coming into week ten, Seattle’s offensive line was averaging two sacks allowed per game. However it shouldered much of the blame for the offensive shortcomings. They couldn’t open running lanes, they allowed Wilson to be hit 40 plus times on his drop backs through week ten. On Sunday night, the line opened holes for Seattle running backs who averaged 3.7 yards per carry, an improvement from the weeks before.
The line did allow three sacks but was only responsible for two of them. One of the sacks was Wilson’s fault as he tried to roll out of the pocket towards a defensive end when there was room to step up in the pocket. Most of the game, Wilson had time in the pocket to make his reads and find the open receiver. This group appeared more disciplined this week as they committed far less holding and false start penalties than in previous weeks.
George Fant, who was a basketball player in college and now starting at left tackle for the Seahawks, looked even better in his third start. He didn’t have a penalty called against him and coach Pete Carroll commented that he committed no mental mistakes during the game.
C.J. Prosise : Weapon
Averaging 3.7 yards a carry on 17 carries and racking up 66 yards, Prosise was a breath of fresh air for a rushing attack that had struggled for the last couple weeks. He added 87 yards on seven receptions to end the game with a total of 153 yards from scrimmage. He was the leading receiver and rusher during his first start for the Seahawks.
The rookie running back gave Wilson a reliable check down when all the downfield reads were covered. Seattle even split him out wide in their empty sets. Prosise may not be the every down back Seattle needs but is better than what it had. With Thomas Rawls expected back this week Prosise can return to his expected role of third down and change of pace back.
Defense Playing Great
Seattle’s defense may not be the number one statistical defense right now, but they are definitely playing like a top tier unit. Over the past four weeks, the defense has gone up against high powered offenses multiple times. This week, they faced off against a Patriots offense that was firing on all cylinders. Tom Brady hadn’t turned the ball over all season, was undefeated and averaging 3 touchdowns a game.
Seattle allowed 316 passing yards to the veteran quarterback while intercepting him once and sacking him twice, all while keeping him from throwing a touchdown. That feat that hasn’t been done since 2007. Throughout the second half, Brady was harassed on his drop backs causing incompletions and stifling the running game. Seattle gave up only 86 yards on the ground to an offense averaging 115 yards per game, and limited their backs to 2.9 yards per carry.
Kam Chancellor played like a man possessed, almost intercepting a pass, breaking up passes, keeping runners out of the endzone and denying a touchdown on the final play of the game. Earl Thomas was a missile all game, puncturing Gronkowski’s lung on a clean hit that looked devastating late in the second quarter.
Seattle appears to be on track for its usual late season surge, sitting at 6-2-1 alone atop the NFC West and the second seed in the NFC. The Eagles come to CenturyLink Field on Sunday which will be yet another test of the mettle of this strong Seattle team.
