For some (many?) people, it strains credulity that the Seahawks are 11-3 and sitting in the No. 1 position in the NFC with two weeks to go.
Those folks think the Hawks simply aren’t good enough to beat New Orleans or Green Bay or San Francisco, citing Seattle’s historically low margin of victory and inability to beat any team handily.
But they did beat the 49ers already — and they did it with the defense Pete Carroll hoped he would have. The big question: Will he ever have it again this season?
The Seahawks have built a 10-3 record largely on the strength of the league’s fifth-ranked offense (fourth in DVOA), but we just saw what happens when that unit does not play well enough against a good team and the defense does not get the takeaways.
Outside the win over Minnesota, Russell Wilson and the offense have struggled for the past month. The defense set up the wins over the 49ers and Eagles but then had its usual trouble against the Rams, and the offense scored a season-low six points in a 16-point loss that was Seattle’s third-worst margin of defeat in Wilson’s eight seasons.
The loss brought up the season-old question: Are the Hawks really the contender their record says they are?
Everything was set up for the Seahawks to take command of the NFC, but the offense failed to score and a 28-12 loss to the Rams means Seattle probably needs to win its final three to claim the division title.
This game was not imperative for any of the Hawks’ goals, but losing it just means they have little to no room for error to claim the spot they want for the postseason.
The Hawks still can win the NFC West by winning out — at Carolina, vs. Arizona and in a big home finale against San Francisco. A 13-3 record also would net them a bye. And they still could get the No. 1 seed if the Packers are involved in a 13-win tie with Seattle and New Orleans.
Continue reading Hawks lose margin for error, but goals still within reach
The Seahawks are nearly a lock for the playoffs, but they have their sights set on bigger goals — and those might be easier to attain than you think.
The Hawks can clinch a playoff spot Sunday night by beating the Rams, but — believe it or not — that game is not nearly as crucial as it once seemed.
Sure, it would be great for Seattle to run the table against Los Angeles, Carolina, Arizona and San Francisco. But the Hawks probably won’t — and they probably don’t need to.
Continue reading Three more wins should net bye, possibly top seed
The Seahawks are a sickly, battered bunch who still can’t win by more than one score. But they’re also 10-2 and in total control of the No. 2 seed in the NFC — with sights set on No. 1.
The Hawks did it as they usually do — getting behind, then looking like they might pull away, only to win in a nail-biter.
Continue reading Sick and tired, Hawks take control of No. 2 seed
The Seahawks have a huge chance to take control of the second seed in the NFC tonight. But it won’t be easy.
The Seahawks faced the Vikings a year ago (Dec. 10) and the defense had its best game of the season while Russell Wilson had one of his worst. We might see a similar formula tonight.
Continue reading Beating Vikings won’t be easy for beat-up Hawks
The Seahawks are hoping to accomplish three things Monday against Minnesota: (1) Get their 10th win; (2) take over first place in the NFC West; and (3) play a complete game for the first time all season.
That’s right: The Hawks are 9-2 — the fourth time they have at least nine wins in the first 11 games — and they still have not put together a total team game. The offense carried them in most of their first seven wins, and the defense has led the way (with eight takeaways) the past two games.
Monday, against surging Minnesota, with some major playoff positioning possibly on the line, would be a good time for both Seattle sides to show up.
As we wait for that big matchup, here’s how each position has done so far — and what it might mean for the future of the roster:
By the time the Seahawks host the Vikings on Monday night, they will know whether they are playing for first place in the NFC West and a spot among the conference’s top two.
And there’s a very good chance they will be — since the 49ers go to Baltimore in Week 13 to face MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and the juggernaut Ravens, who just blew out the Rams on Monday night.
If the 49ers lose and the Hawks can get enough offense to handle the surging Vikings, Seattle would move up to the second seed (or even top seed, if the Saints lose in Atlanta).
To beat the 49ers, the Seahawks merely had to give up Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo and a couple of 2020 mid-round draft picks. That was the cheap price for keeping the Hawks in the hunt for the NFC’s top seed.
Of John Schneider’s 11 trades this year, three were for veteran players — Jadeveon Clowney, Quandre Diggs and Jacob Hollister. And all three played major roles in the big win over the 49ers and are set to continue their impact as the season marches on after the Week 11 bye.
The Seahawks had been doubted after building a 7-2 record on the backs of a bunch of also-rans, but who is questioning them now after knocking off the 49ers, the NFL’s last unbeaten team?
Sure, the Hawks got a little lucky again — a missed overtime field goal saving them from another self-inflicted loss.
Some might say “It’s better to be lucky than good,” but you also could say, “Good teams win the close games.” And that is what the Seahawks have done on the way to an 8-2 record. The Seahawks are now 5-0 in games decided by four points or less and they have rallied from 10 down to win three times, most in the NFL.
Continue reading A little lucky, a little good, a little 8-2 record
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 