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Seattle Seahawks run past Detroit Lions in 26 to 6 Wild Card win

January 7, 2017 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Thomas Rawls looks for an opening. ( Brandon Farris Photography)

The Seattle Seahawks used a bruising running game to win their tenth consecutive home playoff game Saturday Night at CenturyLink Field. Running back Thomas Rawls set a franchise postseason rushing record with 161 yards.

After struggling in the first quarter the Seattle offense played arguably their best second quarter of the season. Rawls rushed for 79 of the teams 83 rushing yards in the quarter. Russell Wilson hit Paul Richardson with a two-yard pass play in which the receiver was able to make the touchdown grab despite being interfered with by Detroit safety Tavon Wilson.

Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson celebrates his touchdown catch. ( Brandon Farris Photography)

The Seahawks defense forced a Detroit three and out and the Seattle offense continued its scoring ways with a 43-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka to take a 10-0 lead. A Matt Prater 51 yard field goal just before halftime gave the visitors half of an upset at 10-3.

Detroit’s hopes looked to be more than just wishful thinking when Prater connected on his second field goal of the game to narrow the gap to 10-6 with 4:08 left in the third quarter.

K.J Wright celebrates with teammates. ( Brandon Farris Photography)

STRONG FINISH

A 27 yard by Steven Hauschka on Seattle’ next offensive possession increased the led to 13-6 and gave the 68,788 home fans much needed optimism. With the end in sight, the Seattle defense became downright stingy and stifled the Detroit offense on three consecutive possession to end any thoughts of a Detroit comeback.

The inspired play by the defense rubbed off on the offense as it scored two consecutive touchdowns to close out the game. Rawls had a four-yard run and Doug Baldwin finished the scoring spree with a 13-yard touchdown catch that was actually mean for Jermaine Kearse.

TAKEAWAYS

While it was not a perfectly played game, the victory over the Lions was probably Seattle’s best game of the season as a team. The much maligned offensive line showed up and showed out with its efficient run and pass blocking. The offense will need to be ready to play when the whistle blows to start next week’s game at the Atlanta Falcons. The defense looked like it has its big play swagger back and will need to create a turnover or two in a hostile environment to help the offense.

Seattle Seahawks vs Detroit Lions battle of the trenches.

January 7, 2017 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Seahawks head coach Peter Carroll( Tatenda Productions)

The key to Saturday Nights NFC Wildcard matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions will be pressure, who will be able to exert the most pressure and who will be able to absorb it.

BATTLE OF THE TRENCHES
The Seattle offense line was the subject of conversation before the season started and that conversation has not stopped. While it has shown moments of efficiency the Seahawks offensive has yet to play a complete game in which they pass and run block with great efficiency.

The Detroit front four of Ezekial Ansah, Haloti Ngata, Tyrunn Walker and Devin Taylor had just 26 sacks, second worst in the NFL. Ansah looks to be recovered from a high ankle sprain and could make life difficult for Seattle left Tackle Geroge Fant. Center Justin Britt believes the Seahawks are primed for a breakout game.
” We just have to go out there and plays Seahawks football, all everything that happened in the regular is in the past and its time for us to go out and execute Britt said during practice this week.”

Seahawks defensive lineman Cliff Avril ( Brandon Farris Photography)

One of Seattle’s brightest spots this season has been the play of its defensive line. Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett each received two votes in the AP All- Pro voting that was announced Friday afternoon Avril led the team with 11 and a half sacks. Frank Clark was half a step behind Vril with 10 sacks.Ahtyba Rubin was the fourth anchor that helped the Seahawks allow an NFL-low 3.4 running yard per carry.

TAKEAWAY
If Seattle is able to pressure Detroit quarterback Mathew Stafford and make him hurry his throws and keep him off balance with disguised blitz packages from the defensive line and linebacker, Saturday could be a block party for Seahawks Nation. Although his passing hand is banged up, Stafford has a great ability to improvise and could hurt the Seahawks if the defensive backs are not disciplined in their pass coverage.

The Seahawks offensive line can make life easy for quarterback Russell Wilson if it is able to establish some running lanes for running back Thomas Rawls. A decent running back will alleviate pressure on Wilson who is still not 100% healthy.

Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright. ( Tim Rogers Photography)

Seattle Seahawks begin playoff preparations

January 4, 2017 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

With one of their most inconsistent 1o win seven behind them, the Seattle Seahawks have turned their attention to Saturdays NFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Detroit Lions at CenturyLink Field.

Seahawks center Justin Britt ( Tatenda Productions)

The Seahawks won the NFC West division with a 10-5-1 record, marking the fifth straight time the franchise has won ten or more games in a single season all under Pete Carroll. While the ten win mark record shows stability and consistency in Pete Carroll’s tenure as the team’s head coach, the same cannot be said of this year’s team.

The Seahawks longest win streak this season was three games and that little short run was followed by an inexplicable 14-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. While the Seahawks never lost two consecutive games in all season, the three-game win streak was the only time the team seemed to have garnered any type of momentum. So the question facing team inconsistency, is which version of the Seahawks will show up Saturday at CenturyLink Field? For Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, there is no doubt which team will show.

Darrell Bevell chats with Russell Wilson ( Tatenda Productions)

TAKEAWAYS

Positive Pete continued to be well positive Pete during his weekly press conference which is no surprise. While the Seahawks are a young team, the team does have a core of veteran players who know what it takes to make a long and sustained playoff run.