Easy win over Jets sets up high-flying finish

December 14, 2020 cc 8 Comments

The Seahawks had a rare on-field respite in Week 14, but now it’s back to work: Three NFC games to determine their postseason position.

After improving to 9-4 with a 40-3 win over the New York Jets, the Seahawks sit one game behind Green Bay and New Orleans in the race for the top seed and accompanying bye. They also have a huge game against the Rams (9-4) in Week 16 that will help determine the division winner; Seattle needs to win that to have a chance at the division, though Week 17 still would loom large.

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Franchise history, NFL draft, Trades

Schneider’s future should depend on Adams & Taylor

December 10, 2020 cc 7 Comments

The spotlight is on Seattle’s GM this week as the Seahawks and Jamal Adams face the Jets and Darrell Taylor’s future remains a mystery.

John Schneider’s job security, quite frankly, should depend on two things: Whether he re-signs Adams and whether Taylor ever plays. If neither happens in 2021, the last year of Schneider’s deal, the GM should not be re-signed.

This is not just about the two big moves to get those guys this year — deals that cost the Seahawks five high draft picks. It’s about a GM who has had a lot more failures than successes over the past seven years, who is still living off his historic 2010-12 drafts, who has whiffed at the top of his last eight drafts way too often, who rarely makes good decisions in free agency, who is not very creative with the salary cap and who for several years has been making it up as he goes, with no long-term plan.

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Schedule, X's & O's

1-4 and out? It’s possible if the Hawks don’t fix the offense

December 8, 2020 cc Leave a comment

One way the Seahawks could miss the playoffs at 9-7

If the Seahawks don’t fix their offense this week, they are in deep trouble the rest of the way. As in, they could go 1-4 in December and January, finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs.

Washington’s upset win over erstwhile undefeated Pittsburgh on Monday showed the team formerly known as Redskins will be maybe the toughest of the NFC Least clubs the Hawks face. WFT has perhaps the best defensive line in the league, and comeback QB Alex Smith has gone 3-1 as the starter.

The Hawks will go to DC after hosting the winless Jets this week. Then come the tough division games against the Rams in Seattle and the 49ers in a place to be determined (the 49ers are playing this month in Arizona). Those last three games will be challenges for a Seattle team that has been struggling on defense all season and has lost its offensive power over the past month.

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Week 13: NY Giants

Hawks choke at home

December 6, 2020 cc Leave a comment

So much for the easy run against the NFC Least.

The Seahawks’ offense continued its horrific slump and Seattle suffered its worst home upset since 2017 and probably lost any shot at the No. 1 seed, as the Giants managed to squeak out a 17-12 win.

The Seahawks’ offensive funk has now stretched over a month as they have put up terrible games against L.A., Philly and now New York. After averaging 34 points in the first eight games, they have scored a mere 19.8 over the past four games, going 2-2 during that stretch.

After a 5-0 start that featured premature MVP talk about Russell Wilson, the Hawks have now gone 3-4. With the Saints moving to 10-2, the Hawks are two games behind in the chase for the NFC bye. It does not seem likely. The Rams (8-4) also beat Arizona to take the NFC West lead back.

If the playoffs started this week, the Seahawks would be playing the Giants again, in New York.

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Franchise history, Injury report

It’s December: time to get healthy

December 4, 2020 cc Leave a comment

“We’re in pretty good shape. We’re hoping to keep on this edge on staying healthy. It will really make a difference for us.” – Pete Carroll

December is here, and there is one thing the Seahawks need to do above all else: Get and stay healthy.

December has been a bad month for the Seahawks since 2016. They just have not been able to stay healthy, and it has cost them playoff position and wins. In 2017, when the Legion of Boom blew up, they missed the playoffs entirely.

We said it before this season started: Health will be a key factor in whether they win in December and advance far in the playoffs. Carroll knows that’s the key, as he told 710 ESPN on Friday.

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It's bigger than football, The roster

Gordon’s second chance with Hawks is here: ‘Hopefully it’s better than last time’

December 4, 2020 cc 1 Comment

John Schneider has never been shy about betting on veteran talent – whether they’re big trades or no-risk deals.

Josh Gordon might be the first guy Schneider has taken a cheap flyer on twice. The troubled but talented receiver is back, conditionally reinstated by the NFL and eligible to play for the Hawks in Week 16 against the Rams (if he’s ready that fast).

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Video, Week 12: At Philadelphia, X's & O's

Offense needs to snap out of its funk

December 2, 2020 cc 1 Comment

Don’t let a two-game winning streak fool you. The Seahawks’ offense still has not recovered its rhythm.

While the defense had its way with the dysfunctional Eagles offense in Seattle’s 23-17 win Monday night, Philly’s stout defensive front gave the Seahawks trouble and showed Russell Wilson and Co. are still trying to rediscover their early-season mojo.

It will be important to find that again if they are going to avoid a stumble in this run against the NFL Least (Eagles, Giants, Jets, WFT) and actually beat good teams when it matters – i.e., the Rams and any playoff foe.

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Week 12: At Philadelphia

Hawks win ugly, keep control of WEst

November 30, 2020 cc Leave a comment

Brian Schottenheimer and the offense made it much harder than it needed to be, but the Seahawks managed to kick off their NFC Least tour with an ugly 23-17 win against the Eagles in Philadelphia. That allowed Seattle (8-3) to keep control of the NFC West, which the team had gained when the 49ers beat the Rams (7-4) on Sunday.

Against a stout Philly front seven, DK Metcalf bailed out the Seattle offense with a career-high 177 yards and Chris Carson tallied 59 yards and a TD in his return from a four-game absence. The defense started very strong against the Eagles and allowed a season low in points while sacking Carson Wentz six times.

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Week 12: At Philadelphia

Hawks control west as they chase the bye

November 29, 2020 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks are suddenly back in control of the NFC West and, with an improving defense and rebalanced offense, have a fair shot at overtaking New Orleans and Green Bay for the top seed.

The Rams and Cardinals both lost on last-play field goals (against the 49ers and Patriots) on Sunday, so the Seahawks (7-3) can take a one-game lead on the Rams (7-4) and a two-game edge on the Cards (6-5) if Seattle wins in Philadelphia on Monday night.

Russell Wilson’s Hawks are 5-0 against the Eagles, including two wins in Philly last season, and this is lining up as win No. 6 – a great chance for the defense to look good against one of the league’s worst offenses while Chris Carson returns to help Carlos Hyde take pressure off Wilson.

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Injury report, Week 12: At Philadelphia

Three starters return, Shell ‘still hobbling’

November 24, 2020 cc Leave a comment

Chris Carson, Shaquill Griffin and Ethan Pocic were back at practice as the Seahawks prepare to travel to Philadelphia for “Monday Night Football.”

Pete Carroll said RT Brandon Shell (ankle) is “still hobbling” and will be a “close call” for Monday’s game.

Carroll said rookie Colby Parkinson will jump right into the tight end rotation to replace Greg Olsen, who suffered a torn plantar fascia last Thursday against Arizona.

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