Seattle Seahawks welcomed some old friends to the starting line up and the infusion helped the Seahawks to a dominating 40 to 7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, the joy of winning the game was tempered by the news of Safety Earl Thomas severe leg injury.
DREAM START
Seahawks linebacker Mike Morgan fresh from being activated from the injured reserve list before the game picked off Panther starting quarterback Derek Anderson on the game’s first play from scrimmage. The Seahawks offense had the ball on the Carolina eight-yard line but was unable to convert the turnover into a touchdown and had to settle for a 23-yard field goal by John Hauschka. Starting Panther quarterback Cam Newton was benched for the first series of the game due to a team dress code violation. After the Anderson pick, Newton was inserted into the game but it mattered little as the Seahawks defense forced a Carolina punt and the offense promptly went on a nine play 92-yard drive that ended with a Thomas Rawls skip jump into the endzone for the 10- lead.
The Carolina defense stepped up its game and tried to keep the game close when it stopped Seattle on a 4th and 5 at the Carolina 36th yard line on the Seahawks next offensive possession. Not to be outdone at home, the Seattle defense also stepped up and showed who’s house it was when J.K. Wright forced a Carolina fumble that was recovered by Curtis Marsh on the Panthers next possession. The Seattle offense inexplicably gave the ball back to the Panthers when Russell Wilson was picked off by Carolina DBTre Boston.
SEASON ENDING INJURY
The Carolina offense ran two pass plays and on the third play Seattle Safety Earl Thomas teamed up with Kam Chancellor to break up a pass intended for Carolina tight End Greg Olson. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, Safety Earl Thomas suffered a broken tibia and will be out indefinitely.
With one of the Seattle’s best defensive players out and the team suffering emotional trauma , Carolina went right at Thomas replacement at free Safety and the result was a 55 yards TD pass play, from Newton to Ginn TD to narrow the lead to 10-7.
Sensing the team needed a lift , the Seattle offense found on its next offensive possession when Thomas Rawls broke loose for a 45 touchdown run to widen the margin to 17-7.
Two John Hauschka field goals just before halftime increased the Seahawks lead to 30 to 7 and the home team never looked back as it won its sixth home game of the season and bounced back from last weeks lifeless offensive showing at Tampa Bay.
TAKEAWAYS
Sunday victory was a classic Pete Carroll bounce back win. Positive Pete and his coaching staff have the team believing and trusting the system. The return of Justin Britt at center was a major factor in the team racking up 240 rushing yards. While Wilson had a good game, 26/36, 277 passing yards with one touchdown, he threw one interception and was sacked three times. Wilson looked to be indecisive and heavy footed in the second quarter. As with all great quarterback, Wilson picked up his decision making and game management as the game went on. The obvious question is how will the Seahawks play without Earl Thomas?
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