Seahawks Week 3 Review

A win is a win no matter how you look at it. There were probably more negatives than positives when breaking down yesterdays game against the San Diego Chargers, but none of that matters when you are the team walking away with a win. This game was really a tale of two halves, which makes it hard to draw any one conclusion. I'll do my best to recap what turned out to be a great win against a deservedly high ranked opponent.

THE FIRST HALF:

Seahawks Defense came out playing how they needed to play to win the game. The front four were dominating San Diego's O-line, and the stats reflected that. Seattle shut out the chargers in the first half, and looked really good doing it. While I was very impressed with the play of the front 4, I have to point out what has been the most promising progress to me all year, and that is the play of Kelly Jennings. There was a deep ball thrown to deep down the middle to Malcolm Floyd that Jennings was able to get a hand on and knock down. In years past, Jennings would have been beat by at least a step or two on that deep throw, and that easily would have been a TD for the Chargers. He has looked solid through the first 3 games and if he keeps this play up may be the most improved player on the team.

Seahawks Offense on the other hand, continued to beat themselves. We easily could have been up 24-0 going into the half, if Deion Branch hadn't fumbled the ball out of the endzone on the one yard line, resulting in a touch back, and if poor play calling and clock management hadn't left Seattle on the 1 yard line as time expired in the first half. Matt made some poor throws once again, but would then follow those with brilliant passes, showing great anticipation and accuracy. Hasselbeck's TD pass to Carlson in the back of the endzone was brilliantly placed and timed. I think the issue is our inability to adlib. When a play is broken, and Matt is forced to scramble he doesn't have a receiver who can scramble as well and get open. We see him frustrated outside the pocket trying to direct traffic and not getting the receivers to follow his lead. I hope this is something that will develop with rapport, after all this is a young, inexperienced, and new receiving core.

THE SECOND HALF:

Leon Washington returned the 2nd half kick off 101 yards for a TD, longest KO return in Seahawks history, and then returned another KO 99 yards for a TD to give Seattle the go- ahead score in the 4th quarter. Leon Washington is now the all -time leading KO returner for both the NY Jets, and the Seattle Seahawks, no one else has ever accomplished this feat. He is the reason Seattle won this game, and truth be told he almost ran back a third kick off but slipped up and was just barely caught by a shoe string tackle.

The Defense, lost key players in the second half, which may have had an affect on their performance. Aaron Curry (hamstring) Marcus Trufant (Ankle) and Brandon Mebane were all injured during the game. That combined with the adjustments SD was able to make on offense is what allowed the Chargers to dominate the 2nd half. Rivers ended up  passing for a franchise record 429 yards going 29 for 53. The holes in the zone coverage where alarming for Seattle. Rivers picked apart our secondary for 12, 17, 20 , 50 yard plays at a time. Seattle defense however made the plays they needed to make to win, in the end. Holding an offensively dominant team like San Diego to only 20 points is remarkable. Causing 5 turnovers, 3 fumbles and 2 interceptions (both by rookie Earl Thomas) and playing their hearts out down to the last play is what allowed Seattle to hold on for the win.

In the second half we weren't able to get nearly the amount of penetration at the line of scrimmage against SD front, and for whatever reason there were gaping holes in our zone defense that was being exploited. Our offense couldn't get a first down to save their lives which left the defense on the field way too long in that second half, but when the game was on the line we performed.With 6 seconds on the clock, on a 4th and 15, SD down 7, Earl Thomas intercepted his second pass of the day to seal the win for the 'hawks.

What I take out of this game is the feeling that we will win a lot of games at home this year. The 12th man's affect on the game is quantified by penalties, SD had 11 penalties for 83 yards, including delay of games and false starts, similar to what SF struggled with in the first game of the season. We seem to have some play makers on this team that we haven't had in the past. That could make the difference in whether or not Seattle makes the play offs this year. All in all it was an exciting game, and we came out with a win, which is all that matters. My concern is for the injured players, lets hope they were not severe, our secondary can't afford to lose Trufant especially after losing Josh Wilson to the Ravens.

GO HAWKS!!!!

And The Winner Is: The Sports Mrs Picks to Win Week 3 NFL

TEN @ NYG 

CIN @ CAR

DAL @ HOU

SF @ KC

PIT @ TB 

BUF @ NE

CLE @ BAL

DET @ MIN

ATL @ NO

WAS @ STL

PHI @ JAC 

IND @ DEN 

OAK @ ARI

SD @ SEA

NYJ @ MIA

GB @ CHI

RECORD LAST WEEK : 8-8

Preview and Predictions; Seahawks vs. Chargers Week 3

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I always want to analyze a win for the Seahawks...I did it last week against the Broncos, going against my preseason predictions for wins and losses, and I'm so tempted to do it this week against the Chargers. The Seahawk fan in me will not allow me to look at any game unbiased. I feel like if i predict a loss, they will lose, I feel like I've failed as a fan by picking against my team, so what I intend to do with this preview is focus on what Seattle has to do in order to win the game. I think is a winnable game, however unlikely, I simply cannot force myself to analyze a loss before its happened.

KEY TO THE GAME: Last week I told you the key was secondary play, this week its the front 4, on defense and offense for both teams. If Chris Clemons and Red Bryant can get the pass rush and pressure on Philip Rivers we so desperately need we can disrupt San Diego's passing game enough to win. I don't trust our secondary to make plays, so this week I place the burden on the front 4. We have to get to the QB and we have to have an affect on the passing game. We have been solid against the run, and with SD starting a back up running back in place of the injured Ryan Mathews, i don't see SD having posing any real threat on the ground. Mathews with only 104 yards and 2 fumbles in his first two games however, I'm kinda wishing he was playing this week!

On the other side of the ball, Seattles offensive line is still without first round draft pick Russel Okung, which I understand being cautious but this guys been ready to play to since week 1, its time they let him play. His high ankle sprain is no longer an issue. The O-line has been solid through the first 2 games, Hasselbeck has struggled with interceptions, but the biggest thing for them this week is playing smart and avoiding costly penalties that kill drives, and sway momentum.

HOW SEATTLE WILL WIN: The same way Kansas was able to beat San Diego in week 1, don't allow the Charger's passing game to get going. QB hurries, hits, sacks, batted balls, broken routes, tipped passes, interceptions, front 4 penetration that allows the LB to help the safeties and corners in zone coverage. This play has to last all 4 quarters because Phillip Rivers is not one of those QBs that has quite in them. He will play his heart out until the last possible second and Seattle defense needs to come ready to play 4 full quarters. The 12th man once again should help with morale, and the energy on defense, but its up to the players to make the plays when it counts, on third downs, and in the red zone.

HOW SEATTLE WILL LOSE: Mistakes, if the 'hawks get to amped for this game, and make costly mistakes they will lost. We can't afford turn overs, or pass interference penalties. No redzone penalties for the O-line, or fumbled punt returns. If Seattle doesn't play smart, and a full game, they will lose. We can't afford to get behind early, and we definitely can't let up if we have the lead going into the later parts of the game. You can bet that San Diego won't give up, and we can't either. Seattle needs to have their foot on the gas from the coin toss and not let up until a W is on the board. Otherwise, this game will go down as a loss.

HISTORY is on our side.... The Seahawks have won 10 of 13 against the Chargers, and Matt Hasselbeck has won 2 of the 3 games he started against SD.

INJURIES will play a part..
San Diego
LB Stephen Cooper KNEE QUESTIONABLE
LB Larry English FOOT QUESTIONABLE
WR Malcom Floyd LEG PROBABLE
CB Quentin Jammer FOOT PROBABLE
RB Ryan Mathews ANKLE DOUBTFUL
LB Jyles Tucker NOT INJURY RELATED QUESTIONABLE
**WR Vincent Jackson Suspension Multi-game suspension. Return to be determined. Might be out until at least Week 11 vs. Denver

Seattle
T Russel Okung ANKLE OUT
RB Quinton Ganther KNEE PROBABLE

G Ben Hamilton KNEE PROBABLE
LB Leroy Hill CALF, ACHILLES OUT
T Sean Locklear KNEE PROBABLE
LB Matt McCoy QUADRICEP PROBABLE
G Chester Pitts KNEE PROBABLE
DE E.J. Wilson KNEE QUESTIONABLE

Prediction:
Seahawks 33 San Diego 29

GO SEAHAWKS!!!!

Seahawks Week 2 Game in Review

My apologies for the late game review, but I hate reviewing a loss...its no fun! Fear not Seahawks fans, as I bring optimism out of the fire that was the 31-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. In my preview I told you it would come down to cornerback play, and with interceptions by both Bailey and Dawkins, it would appear that I was right once again. What I was hoping would happen was that our corners would outplay the Broncos corners, but that didn't happen. In fact our defensive secondary looked JV against Denver's passing game. Allowing Orton to pass for 307 yards and convert 14 of 20 on third downs. We had to pass rush and poor pass coverage.

On the bright side, there were glimpses of genius and some very positive developments during the game as well. The running game was effective, more so than they have appeared in the past. Going 105 yards on 20 carries averaging 5.5 yards per carry, while using 4 different ball carriers. the rotation seems to be effective, with Forsette getting the majority of the carries. I would like to see him get even more touches however, somewhere around 15 a game. On the first drive of the game the offense looked prepared, strong, efficient. Converting on third downs, running the ball, and Matt was once again spreading the ball around.

The offense will hit its stride probably after the bi week in week 5 and I foresee big games in the future. The continued emergence of Golden Tate is exciting to watch and anticipate, with his 52 yard catch down the field. Hasselbeck has never been able to throw the deep ball, and he's never had anyone who could catch the deep pass, this is a very important area of development we need to improve upon.

The offensive line wasn't perfect, but had solid play. No one thought that with Okung out, Unger out, 2 new linemen, and a truly makeshift line that Matt would be getting the protection he is getting and the running game would be as successful as it has. I give the men on the line all the props they deserve, they are doing their job well! They only allowed one sac and one QB hit on Matt the entire game.

The defense was stellar against the run, once again. I believe they are currently 3rd in the NFL against the run after the first 2 games. They only allowed Denver 65 yards on the ground with 38 carries, that's a 1.7 yard average. STELLAR!

Secondary play was key to the game, and where we fell flat they excelled. Denver won the turnover battle and they won the game, if the game was played again today, I don't believe we would see the same outcome. Matt's not going to throw 3 INT, that punt isn't going to be missed and fumbled, the penalties in the redzone either wont be committed or wont be called and Seattle would win the momentum and win the game. I take that with me into this next week, and the remainder of the season, and I'm feeling more confident than ever that we will rebound quickly from this loss.

Around the NFC WEST;

The 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals all lost as well this week, that's got to put a smile on the face of 'Hawk fans :)