Monday cyber surfing: Reaction to Sunday’s 24-14 Wild Card win over the Redskins
Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, January 7.
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times has his game recap from yesterday, “[Russel] Wilson and [Marshawn] Lynch. The combination produced the Seahawks’ winning touchdown with 7:08 left. Wilson and Lynch. It was the combination punch that allowed Seattle to overcome its largest deficit of the season to win the franchise’s first road playoff game in 29 years. Seattle 24, Washington 14. ‘A great finish,’ Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. And it’s just the beginning. Seattle continues its playoff run in Atlanta next Sunday in the NFC’s divisional playoffs.”
O’Neil also has his “Two-Minute Drill“, naming running back Marshawn Lynch and tight end Zach Miller his players of the game, “Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for 132 yards and atoned for a third-quarter fumble at the Washington 2 by scoring the winning touchdown on a 27-yard run with 7:08 left. Seahawks tight end Zach Miller caught four passes for 48 yards. Two of his receptions resulted in third-down conversions when Seattle needed 10 or more yards.”
Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times has his thoughts on the Wild Card win, “How dramatic was this comeback? After Griffin threw his second touchdown pass of the first quarter, to tight end Logan Paulsen, Washington led 14-0 and had amassed 129 yards of offense. The Seahawks had minus-2. It felt like they had fallen behind during the national anthem. The fast-paced Washington offense had hit them swiftly and relentlessly, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions and taking a commanding lead before the Seahawks could catch their breath enough to say, ‘Uh oh.’ But from that point on, the Seahawks outgained Washington 382-74. There goes the notion that the Seahawks aren’t built to come from behind. ‘That’s dumb stuff now,’ linebacker K.J. Wright said. ‘We’ve got a good quarterback now. We’ve got good receivers. We can sling it down the field if we have to. We can still run when we’re behind, too. That stuff is over with.’ “
Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks took advantage of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who was not at full strength, “Griffin was 6 for 9 for 68 yards in the first quarter. He was 4 for 10 for 16 yards the rest of the game. Washington had nine first downs in the first quarter and six the final three. ‘Throughout the whole game you could tell how hurt he was,’ Sherman said. ‘But he has a lot of heart, and that’s my guy and I’ll talk him up until the sun comes home. You’ve got to respect the guy. His knee’s a lot worse than it seems, but he’s still out there battling for his guys. That kind of heart is something you respect — out of this world.’ “
Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune has his gamer from yesterday, “The victory marked Seattle’s first playoff road win in nearly 30 years. The Seahawks last win away from home took place on Dec. 31, 1983, a 27-20 victory at Miami in the AFC divisional playoffs. The Seahawks had lost eight straight before Sunday’s win over the Redskins. Seattle now travels to Atlanta (13-3) for an NFC divisional playoff contest on Sunday. ‘You can’t win this game in the first quarter,’ Seattle fullback Michael Robinson said. ‘And we understand that. You’ve just got to keep fighting and plugging away. It’s all about what that score says at the end of the fourth quarter.’ “
Williams also writes that after a rough first quarter, the Seahawks defense held the NFL’s second-leading rusher Alfred Morris in check, “Morris had 49 yards on eight carries in the first quarter, but he only totaled 31 more yards the rest of the game. The Seahawks held Washington to 104 total rushing yards. ‘They just were running a little bit of a different scheme than we expected,’ Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said. ‘They were going more outside. In previous games they had played more zone read stuff up the middle. And that’s great coaching by (Washington head coach Mike) Shanahan and those guys.’ “
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune highlights Lynch’s big day, “Lynch rushed for 132 yards (6.6 average), but two plays in particular made the difference in the game. The first came in the middle of the second quarter, when Seattle trailed 14-3. The read-option play, in which Wilson either keeps the ball or hands it to Lynch, has been at the heart of the team’s late surge. But on this play, the ball bounced loose between them and squirted in the direction of several Redskins players at about the Seattle 40-yard line. Down by 11, and on the verge of giving up a turnover in their own territory, the Seahawks’ postseason was in peril. But Lynch reacted instantly, and rather than dive on it, as is the accepted practice, he speared it with one hand and ran 20 yards into Washington territory. Five plays later, Wilson passed to fullback Michael Robinson for a touchdown that brought the Seahawks back into the game. ‘That had to be an extraordinary play,’ Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said. ‘Dead run, scoop it up and keep on going. That was a huge play for us … it happened so fast you could hardly believe what he did.’ “
John Boyle of the Everett Herald details the play of tight end Zach Miller, “Facing third-and-12, Wilson couldn’t find a target open down field, so he dumped a short pass off to Miller. In fact, the pass was nearly too short, but Miller managed scoop it up just before it hit the ground. That impressive catch wasn’t going to get the job done by itself, however, because Miller was still six yards short of the first-down marker, so Miller turned and ran knowing how important this first down was. First he spun out of an attempted tackle by cornerback Josh Wilson, then powered through cornerback DeAngelo Hall to get exactly the 12 yards Seattle needed. The play was one part talent and two parts sheer will, and it was symbolic of resilience the Seahawks showed in coming back from a two-touchdown deficit in a hostile environment. Pete Carroll loves to preach that it isn’t how you start, but how you finish, and in finishing that play, Miller set the tone for a big finish that at the time seemed highly unlikely. ‘It shows how far we’ve come from when we were struggling on the road early in the season,’ Miller said via cell phone 90 minutes after the Seahawks had finished off their first road playoff victory since 1983. ‘In a playoff game, with a rookie quarterback, to be able to answer a 14-point deficit the way we did, it’s just a testament to our team and the resolve we have and how much confidence we have in each other.’ “
Mike Salk of 710Sports.com makes it clear that the Seahawks beat the Redskins, and that the Redskins did not beat themselves, “Robert Griffin III didn’t lose the game by himself. Mike Shanahan isn’t a goat for allowing his quarterback to play hurt. The Seahawks weren’t just the beneficiaries of a stroke of good luck. One complete team beat another complete team. And for three quarters, it wasn’t even close.”
Like Boyle, Brady Henderson of 710Sports.com also points to Miller’s play as a key part of the Seahawks victory, “Miller finished the regular season as Seattle’s third-leading receiver. The numbers aren’t flashy – 396 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions – but then again, neither is Miller. For all the dirty work he does to help make the Seahawks’ offense move, Miller delivered Sunday with the ball in his hands. ‘Zach just continues to do cool stuff and play really well,’ Carroll said.”
Art Thiel of SportsPressNW.com recaps Wilson’s day, “The Seahawks had the Redskins right where they wanted them. That was not apparent to many, maybe even among the Seahawks. Except for one guy. ‘It is a little weird,’ said Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson. ‘To keep his composure in this wild environment, first playoff game for him and all . . . it’s just weird. But Russell Wilson always does it. I’ve seen veteran, older quarterbacks crumble and crack in the same situation. Not him.’ “
Doug Farrar of YahooSports.com has his reaction following Sunday’s Seahawks win, “It’s not often that a team should be happy about a one-point deficit at halftime of a game, but the Seahawks went into the visitors’ locker room at Washington D.C.’s FedEx Field down 14-13, and undoubtedly happy to be in the game at all. The Redskins, led by the brutal rushing attack of Alfred Morris and two touchdown passes thrown by Robert Griffin III, were up 14-0 with 2:31 left in the first half. ‘It was a battle,’ Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said after the game. ‘Both teams fought really hard, and it was a tremendous game, We’re fortunate to come out with a win, and we’re excited about the opportunities.’ “
Mike Sando of ESPN.com has his game story from yesterday, “By the time Lynch was finished putting 132 yards and the game-winning touchdown on the Redskins, the fifth-seeded Seahawks had won a road playoff game for the first time since 1983. They had overcome their largest deficit of the season, 14 points. They had set a franchise record for the largest deficit overcome in a postseason game. ‘As much momentum as they had, it is a marvelous statement,’ Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. ‘We were getting our butt kicked, there was no doubt about that.’ “
Sando has his “Rapid Reaction” following Sunday’s game, “The Seahawks took advantage of matchup advantages at tight end. Zach Miller made a difficult catch early and his catch for a two-point conversion was key. Miller also had a 22-yard reception on his way to a four-catch, 48-yard game. Washington allowed 10 touchdown passes to tight ends during the regular season, third most in the NFL.”
Sando also has his first look at next Sunday’s divisional round matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, “Opposites. These teams from the Southeast and Northwest have more than geography to differentiate them. The Seahawks have the second-youngest roster in the NFL, counting players on various reserve lists. The Falcons have the fifth-oldest roster. The Seahawks have the NFL’s best strength of victory percentage (.534), meaning the teams they defeated had a higher winning percentage than the teams anyone else defeated. The Falcons played the NFL’s easiest schedule. The Seahawks had the NFL’s highest percentage of called running plays (49.8) this seeason. The Falcons had the seventh-lowest percentage of called runs (35.1).”
And finally, the staff over at NFL.com has their early preview of Sunday’s Seahawks-Falcons matchup in this short video.
Game at a glance: Seahawks 24, Redskins 14
LANDOVER, Md. – A recap of the Seahawks’ 24-14 victory over the Redskins in their NFC wild-card playoff game at FedExField on Sunday:
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks’ Beast Mode back had an all-over-the-map game that matched the effort of the team he led to the franchise’s first road playoff victory since 1983.
The Pro Bowl running back started slowly, with 5 yards on two carries in a first quarter Dominated – yes, with a capital D – by the Redskins. He warmed up a bit in the second quarter, scooping up a fumble by QB Russell Wilson and running for 20 yards on the drive towards the Seahawks’ first touchdown and contributing 14 yards to the half-ending drive that resulted in a field goal.
In the third quarter, Lynch had 26- and 15-yard runs in a drive that put the Seahawks on the front porch of the Redskins’ goal line, only to fumble at the 2-yard line. But in the fourth quarter, he had an 18-yard run in what proved to be the game-winning drive to his 27-yard touchdown run that made it 21-14 with seven minutes to play.
When all was said and run, Lynch had rushed for 132 yards (a franchise tying record for the postseason) on 20 carries, caught a 9-yard pass, turned one potentially disastrous play into a positive and atoned for another by pushing the Seahawks into next Sunday’s divisional-round matchup with the top-seeded Falcons in Atlanta.
Of the fumble play, Wilson said, “The ball just came out funny on the (center) exchange. Marshawn had my back. He was right there, picked up the ball and had a huge gain. That was big for us. I think that was one of the biggest plays of the game, to be honest with you. For Marshawn to be able to pick that ball up in the situation that we were in, the way he played right there, that was big-time.”
UNSUNG HERO
Jon Ryan. When a calf injury Steven Hauschka got in the second quarter limited him to kicking field goals, the Seahawks’ Pro Bowl-caliber punter added kickoff duty to his resume.
And Ryan didn’t just step in, he stepped up. And like the rest of the team, he got better as the game progressed. His first kickoff went 58 yards to the Redskins’ 7-yard line. The second went 63 yards to the Redskins’ 2. The third? A 69-yarder that went 4 yards into the end zone.
“Johnny Ryan really came through,” coach Pete Carroll said.
PLAYS OF THE GAME
Offense: It has to be the game-winner, as Lynch made his way into the right corner of the end zone in a pile of bodies – and with Wilson leading the way. These two were the focal points of the five-game winning streak to close the regular season, so it seems only fitting that they would be involved in the play that propelled the Seahawks to the next round of the playoffs.
“That’s not even his job,” fullback Michael Robinson said of the QB turning into a blocker. “Just awareness and football IQ allowed him to figure Marshawn was coming back. Great job by the quarterback.
“I hate to see him take hits. He’s like my little brother. I just hate to see it, but he’s a tough little man. And as he goes, we go.”
Offered Wilson, “Marshawn always tells me, ‘Russ, I got your back. No matter what, I got your back.’ So I just try to help him out every once in a while when he gets down field and I just try to make a play for him and help our football team win.”
Defense: Earl Thomas’ interception in the second quarter. The Redskins were up 14-10, so if the pass from Robert Griffin III had found its way into the hands of Pierre Garcon at the Seahawks’ 24-yard line, well, that scenario doesn’t need the what-if conclusion. Cornerback Brandon Browner, in his first game back after serving a four-game suspension, was all over the Redskins’ wide-out like a second jersey anyway. But Thomas’ playing-free-safety-like-a-centerfielder pick was just the kind of play the Seahawks needed at the point in the game.
“A lot of quarterbacks in this league like to play with me when I’m in the middle of the field,” the Seahawks’ Pro Bowl free safety said. “They know what we’re going to do, because they know we’re in single-safety high. A lot of quarterbacks try to look me off and do all that kind of stuff. But he didn’t have time to do all that. And I was able to make a great break on the ball and finish the play.”
Special teams: Wilson’s pass to tight end Zach Miller for a two-point conversion following Lynch’s fourth- quarter TD. OK, so maybe that’s an offensive play. But it took the place of a special teams play and the two-pointer gave the Seahawks a seven-point lead with seven minutes remaining.
“That was just a great throw by Russell,” Miller said. “He put it right on my body and I big-bodied the defender, just like we drew it up.”
804 homecoming: A special category for a special play, as Wilson passed 4 yards to Robinson for the Seahawks’ first TD. Each grew up in Richmond, Va., which is less than a two-hour drive from FedExField.
“Oh man, it was awesome – 804 threw it to me, 804 scored a touchdown,” Robinson said, using the Richmond area code. “It just feels good to know there were some people from Richmond out there in the crowd. It’s my first time playing this close to home. Love Richmond, and I’ll always love Richmond.”
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Chris Clemons is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury to his left knee he got in the third quarter. The Seahawks’ sack leader did not return to the game.
WORTH NOTING
As he did 11 times during the regular season, rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner led the Seahawks in tackles with nine.
Rookie defensive end Bruce Irvin replaced Clemons when he went out and contributed a sack and a tipped pass to the Seahawks’ dominating defensive effort in the second half, when they limited the Redskins to 63 yards.
Defensive tackle Alan Branch also was a force for the Seahawks’ defense with a sack among his season-high five tackles and a QB hit.
The Redskins allowed an average of 95.8 rushing yards during the regular season to rank fifth in the league, but the Seahawks ran for 224 (a franchise record for the postseason) – 67 by Wilson, 22 by Robert Turbin and 3 by Robinson, in addition to the 132 by Lynch.
The Seahawks, who won one of their first six road games this season, now have a three-game road winning streak.
The Seahawks also have a three-game winning streak over the Redskins in the postseason, as they also eliminated Washington in 2005 and 2007 playoffs.
YOU DON’T SAY
“No, I don’t think that at all. Because I don’t really believe he was in anybody’s shadow.” – Carroll when asked if Wilson emerging as the only one of the three rookie QBs to start in the playoffs on Sunday had allowed him to step from the shadows of RGIII and the Colts’ Andrew Luck
Wednesday cyber surfing: Wilson exceeding expectations, developing better rapport with receivers
Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, December 19.
The club made a roster move yesterday afternoon, releasing tight end Evan Moore and promoting rookie tight end Sean McGrath from the practice squad to the active roster.
Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times writes why Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson deserves the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award, “Wilson, unlike the other rookies, wasn’t granted the luxury of time. His future was now. He had early games against Dallas, Green Bay and New England. If he wasn’t ready, if he made even the usual amount of rookie mistakes, the Seahawks could have been buried early and the call for Flynn would come swiftly and loudly from the sellout crowds at CenturyLink. But the Hawks won all three. Wilson has surpassed — I suspect even Carroll’s — most optimistic expectations. And, with two games left in the regular season, I believe he should be NFL Rookie of the Year. Wilson had to win. And he has. He had to get better. And, oh my, has he. He has run the Seahawks like a 10-year veteran. He has dodged blitzes and escaped pass rushers like no quarterback since the Minnesota Vikings’ Fran Tarkenton in the 1970s.”
Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune highlights the relationship between Wilson and wide receiver Sidney Rice, “In the past seven games, Rice has 27 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns, becoming the big-play threat the Seahawks were looking for when they signed him to a lucrative deal as an unrestricted agent during the 2010 offseason. Wilson has developed a better rapport with Rice, Golden Tate, Zach Miller and the rest of Seattle’s receiving threats, throwing more passes in rhythm and doing a better job of anticipating when players are coming out of their breaks. ‘Things have slowed down for him some,’ Seattle coach Pete Carroll said of Wilson. ‘He’s much more comfortable with situational football — red zone, he’s better at because he has had repetition running the offense. Third downs, he has been more consistent lately. I think he’s way more comfortable throwing the ball to Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Zach Miller primarily, with Anthony McCoy getting in there as well. I just think he’s better and more comfortable.’ “
John Boyle of the Everett Herald says Seahawks fans have the right to dream big, “This is a team, after all, that is hitting its stride at the right time, and momentum has often proven to be more important than seeding in the NFL playoffs. After starting the year as a team hoping to win with defense and a running game, the Seahawks are suddenly dangerous on offense. One of the lowest scoring teams in the league early on, the Seahawks now rank 11th in scoring at 25 points per game, a scoring average they haven’t bettered since 2005. Buoyed by back-to-back blowouts, Seattle now has a plus-131 point differential this season, a total that trails just New England, San Francisco and Denver. And even if the Seahawks can’t take over first place on Sunday, they can with one more victory clinch a playoff berth as well as their first 10-win season since 2007. But as much as the Seahawks have done to change people’s opinions of them while winning five of their past six, nobody is patting themselves on the back just yet. ‘We ain’t done nothing yet,’ Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. ‘When that happens, it happens. Every one of these games are championship matchups. Every one of them makes the statement that you’re still in it and you get it. We just have to go play this football game, and play it really, really well.’ “
Brady Henderson of 710Sports.com notes that San Francisco 49ers second-year linebacker Aldon Smith, who has 19.5 sacks through Week 15, is the latest challenge facing the Seahawks pass protectors, “San Francisco’s defense ranks second in yardage and first in scoring. It has playmakers and Pro Bowlers at every level, but it’s the guys up front that seem to generate the most fear. ‘Really, their front seven is I think definitely the best in the league. They’ve shown it,’ Seahawks tight end Zach Miller told ‘Bob and Groz’ on Monday. “They have a great defense with those two linebackers, [NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis], and then you’ve got Aldon Smith coming off the edge and Justin Smith in the middle there. There’s some challenges we’re going to have, but I like what we’ve been doing lately.’ What the Seahawks have been doing lately – aside from scoring at least 50 points in their last two games – is protecting their quarterback much better than they did a season ago. Seattle allowed 50 sacks last season, the fourth-most in the NFL. That number is 26 through 14 games this season, tied for eighth-fewest.”
Mike Salk of 710Sports.com has a look at why the Seahawks’ zone-read offense has been so successful under Wilson in this short video.
Mike Sando of ESPN.com has his latest “MVP Watch” putting running back Marshawn Lynch at No. 7 and Wilson at No. 9 on his list of 10 candidates, “Lynch trails only Peterson in rushing yards this season. He has 21 carries for 241 yards over his past two games. The four other backs with at least 200 yards over that span have needed between 42 and 55 carries to get their yardage. That includes Peterson (55-366), Knowshon Moreno (54-237), Alfred Morris (50-216) and Arian Foster (42-211). Lynch has eight games with at least 100 yards this season. He has four additional games with at least 85 yards. He also ranks tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns with 10. … A strong performance in victory against the 49ers might be enough for Wilson to overtake Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III as the perceived leading candidate for offensive rookie of the year. Wilson was the only one of the three to appear in MVP Watch this week for three primary reasons. One, Luck has slipped a bit lately and is coming off a defeat. Two, an injury forced Griffin to watch from the sideline while Kirk Cousins led Washington to victory in Week 15. Griffin’s injury status is affecting his candidacy. Three, Wilson has been sensational. He leads the NFL in Total QBR (85.1) and ranks second to Rodgers in passer rating (106.7) over the past 10 weeks.”
Sando also has a look at NFC West QBR ranks from Week 15, “Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (99.2 QBR, 104.4 NFL rating). Wilson completed 14 of 23 passes (60.9 percent) for 205 yards with one touchdown, zero interceptions, two sacks and 10 passing first downs. He carried nine times for 92 yards and three touchdowns, with five first downs rushing. He had no fumbles. The Bills sacked Wilson on the first play of the game. They had a hard time getting a hand on him most of the day, however. The Bills did not touch Wilson on any of the quarterback’s nine rushes. Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch continued to play off one another effectively on option runs.”
Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth has a recap of “Tuesday in Hawkville” with a focus on rookie cornerback Jeremy Lane, who has gained the confidence and trust of the coaching staff with his recent play.
Farnsworth has his first look at the San Francisco 49ers, who are 5-0 in primetime games this season and will face a Seahawks team on Sunday Night Football at CenturyLink Field that is 6-0 at home.
Farnsworth also recaps a surprise visit from Wilson to Skyline High School quarterback Max Browne, who was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year yesterday, “Browne’s selection as National Player of the Year shouldn’t come as a surprise, despite the stiffest of competition, because he was awesome during his senior season. He led the Spartans to a 14-0 record, capped by the victory in the state title game. He passed for 4,526 yards and 49 touchdowns while completing 277 of 377 passes and throwing only five interceptions. During his career with the Spartans, Browne set the state record with 882 completions, which led to 12,947 yards. But there’s more to Browne than just impressive stats and overwhelming victories. He has a 3.5 GPA and volunteers for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Generation Joy. Sound familiar? Browne shared the stage on Tuesday with another QB who’s too good to be true – on and off the field. ‘He’s just a tremendous person, first of all,’ Wilson said. ‘He has a great attitude, a great personality. He works so hard. Max is a tremendous football player and Gatorade found the best football player in the country. Max does a tremendous job in the three pillars of what Gatorade does in terms of naming a National Player of the Year. Athletically, obviously he’s very good. But academically he’s carried a 3.5 his whole career in high school. And then to do what he does in the community, and put so many smiles on so many faces, is really unbelievable.’ “
Game at a glance: Seahawks 50, Bills 17
TORONTO – A recap of the Seahawks’ 50-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills at the Rogers Centre on Sunday:
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Russell Wilson. Like last week’s 58-0 shellacking of the Cardinals at CenturyLink Field, this could be a full squad selection because so many players made contributions and everyone got to play. But what the rookie QB did was special.
Wilson became the first QB in franchise history to rush for three touchdowns in a game – on runs of 14, 25 and 13 yards. He threw for a fourth – on a 4-yard pass to tight end Zach Miller. He carried nine times for 92 yards, giving him 402 for the season to break the club record of 343 by Rick Mirer in 1993. His 10.2-yard rushing average was the third-best in franchise history behind the efforts of Marshawn Lynch in the past two games – 11.6 against the Cardinals last week and 11.3 against the Bills on Sunday.
He also completed 14 of 23 passes for 205 yards and did not throw an interception, which made for a passer rating of 104.4.
All in a day’s work as the kid QB continues to grow in the offense, and allow the offense to grow because of him.
“You saw him out there,” said right tackle Breno Giacomini, who more than did his part by holding Mario Williams to no sacks and one QB hit after the Bills defensive end entered the game with 10.5 sacks. “He’s getting better by the week. His preparation is there. He just keeps getting better and we just keep getting better with him.”
PLAYS OF THE GAME
Offense: It wasn’t a touchdown run, but Lynch’s 54-yarder in the second quarter to setup Wilson’s TD pass to Miller definitely proved a point. It was the Bills who made Lynch the 12th pick overall in 2007 NFL Draft. It was the Bills who traded Lynch to the Seahawks in 2010 for next-to-nothing. On that run, as on just about all of Lynch’s runs, he showed his strength, determination and more speed and shiftiness than anyone gives him credit for.
It also allowed Lynch to finish with 113 yards on just 10 carries, for his eighth 100-yard rushing performance of the season.
Defense: Earl Thomas didn’t just make a diving interception of a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass in the third quarter, the Seahawks’ Pro Bowl free safety returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. And it was another of those uh-plays, where Thomas’ speed makes it appear that everyone else on the field has stopped running because he is running so fast.
“It was a great feeling,” Thomas said of his third interception of the season. “As soon as I caught the ball, I was thinking end zone – especially this season. I could have had eight or nine picks this season. But this was just a great play, gave our defense a lift and kept the momentum on our side.”
Special teams: The Seahawks had practiced a fake punt during the week and called it on Sunday, despite leading 47-17 at the time. The snap from Clint Gresham went to Chris Maragos, rather than punter Jon Ryan. Maragos handed the ball off to Michael Robinson, who ran 29 yards to the Bills’ 14-yard line.
Coach Pete Carroll explained that they were just trying to pick up a first down, and apologized if it looked like they were kicking the Bills when they already were down. But the play did slap an exclamation point on the 17-yard, 88-yard drive that allowed the Seahawks to hold the ball for more than nine minutes of the fourth quarter and setup Steven Hauschka’s third field goal of the day.
Turning point: It might sound crazy to say there was a turning point in this game. But after the Bills had scored 10 points in the final 70 seconds of the first half to cut the Seahawks lead to 31-17, Stevie Johnson made a leaping one-handed grab of a pass from Fitzpatrick on the third play of the third quarter – a third-and-20 play, no less – for a 25-yard gain and a first down at the Buffalo 39. But on the next play, linebacker K.J. Wright picked Fitzpatrick and returned the interception 24 yards to setup Lynch’s TD that pushed the Seahawks lead to 37-17.
“We knew we just had to come out and stop them,” Wright said. “Somebody had to do something, and fortunately I was able to come up with the turnover.”
INJURY REPORT
Defensive tackle Alan Branch sprained an ankle and Carroll said he wasn’t sure how severe the injury was. Other than that, the postgame report included nothing more than bumps and bruises.
WORTH NOTING
The Seahawks became the NFL’s third team to score 50 points in consecutive weeks, joining the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants, who both did it in 1950, according to STATS Inc. And the 108 combined points over two weeks matched the NFL’s third-highest total. The New England also scored 108 points in consecutive games last month.
With 2.5 sacks, Chris Clemons upped his season total to a career-high 11.5 – half a sack more than he produced in each of his first two seasons with the Seahawks. It also made the Leo end the first Seahawk to have double-digit sacks in three consecutive seasons since Michael Sinclair (1996-98).
Rookie Jeremy Lane made his first NFL start at right cornerback for Walter Thurmond, who injured a hamstring in practice Wednesday. Lane was all over Fitzpatrick’s long – and incomplete – throw to T.J. Graham on the Bills’ first pass play of the game and finished with three tackles.
While Wilson continued to make his case for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner continued to do the same for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had a game-high 12 tackles, the fifth time this season he has posted double digits.
The Seahawks had three plays for 40-plus yards – Lynch’s run, as well as Wilson’s 44-yard pass to Golden Tate and a 41-yarder to Sidney Rice. The 44-yarder came after Wilson pitched the ball to Lynch, who threw the ball back to Wilson, who then completed the pass to Tate.
Despite the lopsided score, the Bills had a 100-yard receiver (Johnson with 115 on eight receptions) and a 100-yard rusher (C.J. Spiller with 103). They also had only one less first down (21) than the Seahawks (22).
Hauschka had another busy week, with three field goals, six PATs (one was blocked) and 10 kickoffs. Last week against the Cardinals, he had 21 kicks.
YOU DON’T SAY, NATIONAL-EXPOSURE EDITION
“I watched a lot of tape and it was probably the most physical game I’ve watched all year.” – former Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison, on the pregame show for Sunday night’s 49ers-Patriots game, discussing the Seahawks-49ers game in Week 7
YOU DON’T SAY, LOCKER-ROOM EDITION
“I’ve never been a part of something where two weeks in a row we’re able to put up so many points.” – Miller on the back-to-back 58-0 and 50-17 victories, the first time since 1950 that an NFL team has done that
Thursday cyber surfing: Lynch’s effort contagious for rest of team
Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, December 13.
Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times notes wide receiver Sidney Rice is dealing with a bruised foot, “Receiver Sidney Rice was in a walking boot Wednesday dealing with a bruised foot, apparently suffered in Sunday’s home win against Arizona, and cornerback Walter Thurmond wasn’t able to complete a full practice due to an unspecified hamstring injury. Coach Pete Carroll said the team didn’t know about Rice’s injury until after the weekend and that the receiver’s status is in doubt for Sunday. ‘He’s improved quite a bit since game day, in the last couple days, but he’s got a pretty sore foot, so we don’t know,” Carroll said. “He’s got the X-rays and MRIs and all of that, and the findings are nothing that would keep him from playing. He just has to get back; he feels very sore right now.’ “
Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune highlights running back Marshawn Lynch, as he prepares to face his former team – the Buffalo Bills – this weekend, “Fullback Michael Robinson pointed to Lynch’s bow-legged gait as the reason for his running prowess. ‘He’s not pigeon-toed, but he’s bow-legged a little bit,’ Robinson said. ‘And guys that are bow-legged seem to have better balance as they’re cutting – their cuts are a lot sharper. He looks like a little pit bull out there running,’ Robinson said. ‘He’s always balanced. He runs bigger than he looks. And he runs faster than he looks, too.’ But it’s Lynch’s relentless effort that’s infectious for the rest of the team. ‘It makes us play harder, knowing he’s going to break a couple tackles on a run,’ Seattle center Max Unger said. ‘If we can get up there and get some people off of him, he’s going to go for extra yards.’ Whether Lynch will have extra motivation facing his old team is unknown, but Robinson is expecting the same, all-out effort from his backfield mate. ‘That’s just the type of guy he is,’ Robinson said. ‘And you need guys like that on your team. You don’t want guys thinking too much. Who’s next, let’s go play and move on.’ “
Williams also shares the Seahawks and Bills injury reports from Wednesday here.
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune details the contributions of tight end Zach Miller, “Miller came out of Arizona State as a first-team All-Pacific-10 Conference player and first-team All-Academic player – after having been a 4.0 student in high school in Phoenix. Coach Pete Carroll cited Miller as “savvy,” which is probably a better description of intelligence as it’s applied to on-the-hoof football IQ. ‘He allows us to do so many little intricate things,’ Carroll said. ‘Reading things at the line of scrimmage, adjusting the motions and stuff; that gives us a nice multiplicity. And he’s really, really tough at the point of attack. He’s also catching the ball terrifically and running his routes down the field. He’s just the complete football player.’ “
John Boyle of the Everett Herald also highlights Lynch’s impact heading into the club’s matchup with his former team, “Dating back to Week 9 of last season, no running back in the NFL has more rushing yards than Lynch’s 2,207, and this year his 1,266 yards ranks second in the league to Adrian Peterson. Lynch has been so consistent, so dependable, that it’s almost easy to take for granted what he has done this season despite the fact that he is averaging a career-high 4.9 yards per carry. Lynch’s impact is hard to overstate, especially as the Seahawks head to Toronto needing a win over Lynch’s former team to keep their playoff push going. ‘It just jumps off the tape,’ fullback Michael Robinson said. ‘Teams know when they play against us, they have to deal with ’24.’ That’s just the way it’s set up. Watching him run, he makes you want to strain, he makes you want to go harder. He’s just a great symbol for what this team is trying to stand for.’ “
With the news of Rice’s bruised foot, Dave Grosby and Bob Stelton of 710 AM ESPN Seattle’s “Bob and Groz” discuss the Seahawks situation at wide receiver in this short video.
Mike Salk of 710Sports.com shares his thoughts on the Seahawks beginning to earn some national respect in this short video.
Curtis Crabtree of 950 KJR AM has his report from Wednesday’s practice, “Carroll said that WR Charly Martin will jump into Rice’s role and they will rotate their other receivers through as well if he is not able to play against the Bills. LB Leroy Hill returned to full participation in practice Wednesday after not playing the last two weeks with an ankle injury. However, he was splitting reps with LB Malcolm Smith, who started in Hill’s place the last two weeks. Carroll called it a “competitive situation” for who would start this week against Buffalo.”
Art Thiel of SportsPressNW.com has a look at the youth of the Seahawks roster, “Reliance on youth is also helpful with payroll, allowing the Seahawks more room under the cap to sign WR Sidney Rice, TE Zach Miller, QB Matt Flynn and DLs Alan Branch and Jason Jones, the only unrestricted veteran free agents on the roster. ‘We’re a really young team like we had in college days,’ Carroll said. ‘I think what sets us apart right now is that we’re a very athletic team that also has a really good feeling about each other. They’re tight and close. We have a very cohesive group. That’s been very consistent. It’s an exciting group that we’re bringing up.’ “
Mike Sando of ESPN.com recaps injury situations around the NFC West, and offers up a few notes on the Seahawks, “Seattle held out receiver Sidney Rice (foot), cornerback Marcus Trufant (hamstring), safety Kam Chancellor (groin) and defensive end Red Bryant (foot) missed practice Wednesday. The team continues to list running back Marshawn Lynch (back) as limited despite every expectation he’ll be able to play. Cornerback Walter Thurmond (hamstring) was a surprise addition to the injured list Wednesday. He’s had injury problems in the past. Durability is a concern. Depth at corner isn’t as strong with Brandon Browner serving a suspension and Trufant sidelined recently. Seattle is no longer listing linebacker Leroy Hill (ankle). Malcolm Smith could wind up keeping the job.”
Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth has his “Wednesday in Hawkville” with a focus on the power of the 12th Man, and has a feature on Lynch.
Tony Ventrella has his “Seahawks Daily” as the players get back to work after receiving Monday and Tuesday off.
We have head coach Pete Carroll’s full video press conference from Wednesday here, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s full video press conference from yesterday here.
Lastly, our team photographer Rod Mar captured 18 frames from the club’s “Competition Wednesday” practice, which you can view here.
Monday cyber surfing: Reaction to Sunday’s 23-17 overtime win at Chicago
Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks one day after their 23-17 overtime victory on the road against the Chicago Bears.
Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times highlights the impressive play of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, “The Seahawks couldn’t lose this one because Wilson was too spectacular. He completed 23 of a season-high 37 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He ran nine times for 71 yards. And he didn’t commit a turnover against the NFL’s greatest ballhawking defense. At last, the Seahawks went deep into their offensive repertoire. Wilson handled a more pass-centric attack with his usual efficiency and a little extra flair, displaying an electricity in his performance that we had only seen on occasion since the preseason. He beat the Bears with his arm, his legs and his will. And, at last, the Seahawks stopped their road woes. They entered the game with a 1-5 road record. Games away from CenturyLink Field have been full of frustration this season. Every one has come down to the final possession. The defense has saved its mistakes for the fourth quarter. And the offense has been a dropped pass or stumbling receiver away from winning.”
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times has his recap of yesterday’s Seahawks win, “The Seahawks had their two longest drives of the season, including a 97-yarder in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. And then — even after Seattle failed to finish off the Bears in regulation — Seattle won the coin toss to start overtime with the ball and never turned back, driving 80 yards in 12 plays for a victory that just might turn out to save the Seahawks’ season. ‘It was on the road, and it was against the Bears,’ fullback Michael Robinson said. ‘Da Bears! Playing at Soldier Field, our backs were against the wall, and we kept marching. Boom, boom, boom, boom. And all of a sudden, the crowd is silent.’ But not the Seahawks, having made a statement. They are 7-5 with three of their final four games at home.’It’s a powerful demonstration for a young bunch of guys that it can happen,’ coach Pete Carroll said. ‘This is how it does happen. It has been long in coming.’ “
O’Neil has his “Two-Minute Drill” where he names Wilson and Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who caught 10 passes for 165 yards, his players of the game.
O’Neil revisits his “Keys to the Game” for the Seahawks and Bears, “…3. Don’t get too conservative in crunch time. Scouting report: The Seahawks had the ball, first-and-10 at the Miami 40 on their final possession in Week 12 when coach Pete Carroll tried to grit out field-goal position with a a handoff and a screen pass. The Seahawks would have been better off putting the game in Russell Wilson’s hands there at the end, and letting him try to throw Seattle into field-goal range. Result: Wilson threw 37 passes, his most in any game this season. He was 7-for-10 passing on Seattle’s final drive of the fourth quarter, throwing for 77 yards. But Seattle ran most of the way to a victory in overtime, throwing only three passes during the 80-yard touchdown drive. Conservative? Perhaps. Effective? No doubt.”
O’Neil also takes a look at the struggles of the Seahawks fourth-quarter defense, “It was the fourth time this season the Seahawks defense lost a lead in the fourth quarter. Seattle led 16-13 with nine minutes left in the opener at Arizona only to have the Cardinals drive 80 yards for the winning touchdown. Detroit and Miami each came back from fourth-quarter deficits to beat Seattle in the Seahawks’ previous two road games. In Chicago, though, Seattle’s offense and quarterback Russell Wilson — along with the fact backup quarterback Matt Flynn won the coin toss — gave the Seahawks a victory despite the defense giving up that late lead. ‘We had our stops, but we’ve got to finish better,’ [safety Earl] Thomas said. ‘Hats go off to Russell and the offense, and all the players that were in on the key plays that ended in the result we had today.’ “
Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune has his game story from Sunday, “The Seahawks won the toss in overtime. This time, Wilson used his legs instead of his arm to move the ball down the field, running three times for 28 yards to help Seattle get into field- goal position. But Carroll didn’t want to give the Bears another chance to win the game. ‘We were trying to win the football game there,’ Carroll said. ‘We weren’t thinking about just kicking the field goal.’ So on first-and-10 from Chicago’s 13-yard line, Wilson used a play-action fake to freeze the defense, rolled to his left and hit Rice on a crossing route, with the wiry receiver plowing into the end zone for the game-winning score.
Williams also breaks down the battle that took place between the Bears’ Marshall and Seahawks cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, “Seattle’s cornerback duo of Browner and Richard Sherman had held Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald, Detroit’s Calvin Johnson and Carolina’s Steve Smith all under 100 yards receiving. But the two struggled to keep Marshall contained. Sherman said that he and Marshall were focused on playing football, so there wasn’t a whole lot of trash talking between the two. ‘We were just having casual conversation – there wasn’t too much bad talking,’ Sherman said. ‘It’s always fun to compete with a guy like that, who has a high motor and plays hard. Even Cutler, a great quarterback who talks a little, it makes the game fun for both sides, and we had a nice battle today.’ “
John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune features Sunday’s play of Wilson in his latest column, “Three months ago, the book on the Seahawks was that if the kid QB is efficient, it will be sufficient: Give the ball to Marshawn Lynch, throw some high-percentage passes to receivers running slant routes. Otherwise? Kinda stay out of the way, R-Dub. Don’t go changing; we like you just the way you are. Except there are times – Sunday in Chicago, for instance – when a quarterback must exude more than simple efficiency. There are times when a quarterback breaks a huddle at his team’s 3-yard line, late in the game, needing to score a touchdown because a field goal won’t cut it. Wilson not only marched the Seahawks down the field during that gut-check drive, he marched them down the field after the Bears’ gut-wrenching field goal, and it’s not unreasonable to wonder: Was this the work of the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year?
Mike Salk of 710Sports.com comments on the play of Wilson and the Seahawks offense, “It seems like every time the offense performs, I rave about the read option. And why not? It is the play that best takes advantage of their skills. It allows Wilson to use his decision-making prowess by reading the defensive end and either keeping the football or allowing the running back to slide underneath the end. If he keeps, his legs have been key – to the tune of 71 yards in this one. And two of the biggest plays of the game (the third-and-10 completion to Baldwin and the final touchdown to Sidney Rice) both came off the same read-option look. Teams will likely adapt to the play; NFL coaches are too smart not to adjust. But that adjustment should come as Wilson grows more and more comfortable in the traditional passing game. What I’m saying here is what we already know: the Seahawks have their franchise guy in Wilson. The win in Chicago alone didn’t prove it, but it was another important piece of evidence.”
Brady Henderson of 710Sports.com has several notes following the Seahawks 23-17 win on Sunday, “Seattle’s receivers, inconsistent this season, had one of their better games. Tate made another sensational play to set up the Seahawks’ first touchdown, making defenders miss on a 49-yard reception up the sideline. His touchdown in the fourth quarter was even more impressive. He found his way into the end zone on a 14-yard pass, avoiding several defenders before diving across the goal line. Doug Baldwin and Rice had key receptions, including Rice’s game-winner. Baldwin had a key block on Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown run. Tight end Zach Miller made a 7-yard catch on fourth-and-3 to extend the fourth-quarter touchdown drive.”
Art Thiel of SportsPressNW.com recaps the Seahawks’ Week 13 win in Chicago, and has a look at how Rice’s game-winning touchdown unfolded, “Wilson said he and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell saw the Bears overloading on the read-option again, and made a play-call adjustment at the line. ‘The staff was doing a tremendous job with the calls when needed,’ Wilson said. ‘Coach Bevell did great job recognizing what they were trying to do. I saw the same thing. So we faked the read option and Sidney Rice made a great move to come open in front of the defense.’ Rice, who fooled ace cornerback Charles Tillman into thinking he was blocking him, caught Wilson’s dart at the Chicago 4 and lunged low for the goal line. He took a massive hit to the head and shoulders, enough to knock the ball loose, but a moment after Rice crossed the plane that drew a signal of a touchdown.”
Mike Sando of ESPN.com has his “Rapid Reaction” following the Seahawks’ overtime win at Chicago, “What it means: The Seahawks strengthened their positioning in the chase for a playoff berth by finally breaking through on the road. This game showed Seattle could beat a winning team away from CenturyLink Field without getting many breaks. Quarterback Russell Wilson was again stellar as Seattle improved to 7-5 while dealing a costly defeat to the Bears. Seattle had suffered close defeats on the road recently when its defense faltered late. Wilson did not let it happen this time, leading go-ahead drives late in regulation and again in overtime.”
Sando also recounts Wilson’s Week 13 performance and has a look at how the rookie has matured to date, “Scouts from other teams were watching from the press box. I heard one of them use the word “monster” in describing the 75th player chosen in the 2012 draft. This was not a one-time thing, either. What Wilson did Sunday was consistent with what he’s been doing for a while, except it was more dramatic and there was no defensive collapse to spoil it. After a slow start to the season, Wilson entered Sunday trailing only Tom Brady in Total QBR after Week 5. He was seventh in passer rating over that span. He had beaten Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Tony Romo. He had put his team in position to beat Matthew Stafford and Ryan Tannehill as well, but both times the Seattle defense couldn’t hold fourth-quarter leads on the road. There would be no late defensive stand this time, either. Wilson made sure Seattle would not need one. ‘Everybody realizes in our locker room that the kid playing quarterback is an amazing kid,’ Carroll said.”
Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth has his recap from Week 13, and names Wilson his player of the game in his “Game at a glance.”
Tony Ventrella has his game recap video feature, catching postgame reaction from Carroll, Wilson, Thomas, Tate, and Zach Miller following yesterday win at Chicago.
Team photographer Rod Mar has a look at Sunday’s win in photos here.
We have full game highlights available for you here, and Wilson-specific highlights available for you here.
Finally, we have full video from coach Carroll’s postgame press conference here, and full video from Wilson’s postgame press conference here.
Monday in Hawkville: Wilson’s ascent leads to rookie firsts
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Nov. 26:
FOCUS ON
Russell Wilson. The Seahawks’ rookie quarterback has been on a “continued ascent,” as coach Pete Carroll said today during his day-after Q&A session with the media.
That’s one way to put it, because what Wilson has done in the past three games is historic stuff.
In Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the Dolphins in Miami, Wilson became the first rookie in the 93-year history of the NFL to complete 16 consecutive passes – which also is one shy of the Seahawks’ franchise record that was set by Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon in 1998.
The historic feat that Wilson turned with his arm also led to another first-for-a-rookie achievement, which the league announced today. With his 125.9 passer rating against the Dolphins, he also has a three-game streak where his rating has been at least 125. Wilson had a 131.0 rating in the pre-bye week win over the Jets and was at 127.3 the week before against the Vikings – both victories in games played at CenturyLink Field.
Put those three games together and Wilson’s numbers inch closer to top-of-the-chart status, not for a rookie QB but any QB: 128.6 rating, 70 percent completions (49 of 70), 585 yards, seven touchdown passes, no interceptions.
The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers leads the league in passer rating (105.6), while the 49ers’ Alex Smith leads in completion percentage (.700).
As pleased as Carroll is with the progress of his first-year passer, he is not startled by Wilson’s development.
“Russell has really, really continued to improve,” Carroll said. “It’s not really a surprise when you look at how he goes about it, and who he is, and how talented a football player he is.
“I thought his talent really showed in (Sunday’s) game. I thought he was really adept at finding space to make his plays, and dumping the ball off really effectively, as well.”
Here’s a closer look at Wilson’s “sweet 16” against the Dolphins:
It started on the Seahawks’ first possession of the second quarter, after he threw incomplete to Golden Tate. Then it was Wilson to Sidney Rice for 26 yards on third-and-12; Wilson to Rice for 11 yards; and Wilson to tight end Zach Miller for 4 yards on third-and-3. That’s three in a row.
On their next possession in the quarter, it was Wilson to rookie running back Robert Turbin for 20 yards on third-and-3; Wilson to running back Marshawn Lynch for 7 yards on third-and-1; Wilson to Tate for 32 yards; and Wilson to tight end Anthony McCoy for 3 yards and a touchdown. That’s seven in a row.
On the Seahawks’ first possession in the third quarter, Wilson was 7 of 7 during the 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his 4-yard TD pass to fullback Michael Robinson: Wilson to Rice for 12 yards; Wilson to Miller for 4 yards; Wilson to rookie wide receiver Jermaine Kearse for 8 yards on third-and-3; Wilson to Doug Baldwin for 14 yards; Wilson to Turbin for 18 yards; Wilson to tight end Evan Moore for 6 yards on third-and-1; Wilson to Robinson for the score. That’s 14 in a row.
Wilson then hit his first two passes of the fourth quarter – a 14-yarder to Tate and an 8-yarder to Miller – for No. 15 and No. 16.
His 16 completions went to 10 different receivers, with Rice (three), Miller (three), Tate (two) and Turbin (two) catching more than one.
“I think he’s got more room to improve,” Carroll said. “And I think he is a prime example of why a guy improves, because of the way he applies himself. He does it to the absolute nth degree. We’re seeing it right before our eyes. Pretty cool.”
THE POINT OF NO RETURNS
Heath Farwell and his mates on the kickoff and punt coverage units went without a tackle against the Dolphins because the Seahawks did not allow a return. Six of Jon Ryan’s seven punts were inside the 20-yard line, as four were fair caught, two went out of bounds and the other was downed; while each of Steven Hauschka’s four kickoffs were touchbacks.
“That’s one of the first games I’ve been in where they had zero return yards, and we didn’t have any tackles,” special teams coordinator Brian Schneider said. “Our guys love to fight for tackles. That’s a big deal to them in the locker room, like who’s going to get them. And there just weren’t any, because Jon did such a great job punting and Steven was crushing the ball.”
As a result, the Dolphins had 11 possessions and the last 10 started at (four) or inside (six) the 20-yard line.
“We’ll take that anytime,” Schneider said.
INJURY REPORT
Linebacker Leroy Hill (ankle) and left guard James Carpenter (knee) left Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, but each was able to return. Carroll said today that he’ll know more on Wednesday about their availability to practice.
STAT DU JOUR
Leon Washington returned his eighth kickoff for a touchdown against the Dolphins on Sunday, tying the NFL record that was set by the Browns’ Josh Cribbs. Here’s a look at Washington’s scoring returns – the first four with the Seahawks, the other four with the Jets:
Opponent (year) Yards Outcome
Dolphins (2012) 98 L, 24-21
49ers (2010) 92 L, 40-21
Chargers (2010) 101, 99 W, 27-20
Patriots (2008) 92 W, 34-31
Dolphins (2007) 98 W, 31-28
Giants (2007) 98 L, 35-24
Redskins (2007) 86 L, 23-20 OT
UP NEXT
The players have their “off” day on Tuesday and will return on “Competition Wednesday” to begin practicing for Sunday’s game against the Bears in Chicago.
Strong safety Kam Chancellor will sign autographs from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the CenturyLink Field Pro Shop.
YOU DON’T SAY
“This is running into the quarterback, not roughing the quarterback … (Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas) was trying to avoid it. He didn’t even hit him (Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill) hard, barely touched him.” – Tony Dungy, the former Colts and Buccaneers coach and now NBC analyst, on the fourth-quarter penalty that negated an end-zone interception by rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner
Friday in Hawkville: Wright, Carpenter out for Sunday; but five others return to practice
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Nov. 9:
FOCUS ON
Injuries. The good, as running back Marshawn Lynch, defensive linemen Red Bryant and Clinton McDonald, cornerback Richard Sherman and strong Kam Chancellor returned to practice today. But also the not so good, as linebacker K.J. Wright and left guard James Carpenter were ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jets at CenturyLink Field.
Wright and Carpenter will miss the game because of concussions they got last week. But the others are expected to play after missing time this week with an assortment of injuries and ailments.
“This is the biggest challenge we’ve had,” coach Pete Carroll said after practice. “We’ve had some guys in and out, not sure whether they could go. Missing a front-line player like K.J., that’s a big deal to us.
“But it’s not about who’s stepping down, it’s who’s stepping up.”
That would be second-year linebacker Mike Morgan for Wright, as he did after the Seahawks’ leading tackler was injured on the first play of last week’s game against the Vikings; and John Moffitt for Carpenter, as he did last week as well because Carpenter also was ruled out last Friday because of a concussion he got earlier in the week.
“We’ll focus on expecting all the good stuff to happen and keep our level of play up,” Carroll said. “But this is a natural challenge for a football season. These things happen.”
BOWLING AND BILLIARDS
Cornerback Marcus Trufant is holding his annual Bowling and Billiards Classic at ACME Bowl and Events in Tukwila on Monday from 5:30-10 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Trufant Family Foundation, raises money for youth programs in the area.
But why bowling and billiards? “It was actually put on before I got here, Shawn Springs used to do it,” Trufant said of the former Seahawks cornerback. “I kind of just took it over.”
This will be the ninth event sponsored by Trufant, and he likes the format because it allows his teammates and fans to participate for the good cause.
“It’s a good deal,” he said. “The fans get to come out and see the guys in a different element.”
The bowling spots are all but filled, but fans still can register to be spectators at www.trufantfamilyfoundation.com.
INJURY REPORT
The official end-of-the-week status report, as issued by the team:
Out
OG James Carpenter (concussion)
LB K.J. Wright (concussion)
Doubtful
DE Greg Scruggs (oblique)
Questionable
DT Clinton McDonald (groin)
Probable
WR Doug Baldwin (ankle)
DE Red Bryant (foot)
SS Kam Chancellor (quadriceps)
WR Braylon Edwards (knee)
DE Jason Jones (ankle)
RB Marshawn Lynch (back/wrist)
OG John Moffitt (knee)
CB Richard Sherman (illness)
C Max Unger (finger)
For the Jets:
Out
DT Kendrick Ellis (knee)
RB Joe McKnight (ankle)
Questionable
C Nick Mangold (ankle)
OG Brandon Moore (hip)
DT Sione Pouha (back)
RB Bilal Powell (shoulder)
LB Bart Scott (toe)
S Eric Smith (knee)
Probable
TE Jeff Cumberland (wrist)
DT Mike DeVito (finger)
WR Clyde Gates (shoulder)
DT Damon Harrison (thumb)
WR Jeremy Kerley (heel)
S LaRon Landry (heel)
LB Calvin Pace (shin)
QB Mark Sanchez (back)
OG Matt Slauson (knee)
STAT DU JOUR
A month ago, the Seahawks were among the least productive teams in the league when it came to red-zone possessions – especially scoring touchdowns inside the 20-yard line. But in their past four games, they have scored on 12 of 13 red-zone possessions, including eight touchdowns. Here’s how they’ve done it:
New England: 3 of 3
Steven Hauschka 34-yard field goal
Russell Wilson 24-yard TD pass to Doug Baldwin
Russell Wilson 10-yard TD pass to Braylon Edwards
San Francisco: 1 of 1
Steven Hauschka 35-yard field goal
Detroit: 3 of 3
Steven Hauschka 23-yard field goal
Russell Wilson 9-yard TD pass to Sidney Rice
Russell Wilson 16-yard TD pass to Zach Miller
Minnesota: 5 of 6
Russell Wilson 6-yard TD pass to Golden Tate
Russell Wilson 11-yard TD pass to Sidney Rice
Russell Wilson 11-yard TD pass to Golden Tate
Marshawn Lynch 3-yard TD run
Steve Hauschka 40-yard field goal
End of game
UP NEXT
The players will hold a walkthrough on Saturday morning, their final on-field session before Sunday’s game.
The Seahawks will recognize Veterans Day and honor the military on Sunday with a “Salute to Service.” Joe Moser, a World War II fighter pilot and native of Ferndale, will raise the 12th Man Flag above the south end zone prior to kickoff.
“We’ve always tried to do everything we can to recognize the service men and women,” Carroll said. “It’s really cool when we can do that. We think the world of the work and the time that they put in and the freedom they give us. Hopefully it will be a big day for everybody.”
YOU DON’T SAY
“We knew about him and liked him. He’s proving he’s a complete quarterback. He just happens to be not as tall as your prototype (quarterback). He was a proven winner in college and he’s showing it in the NFL. You can tell he’s very savvy. He knows where to go with the football. He can make plays in and out of the pocket. He’s very dangerous when he gets out and he can make guys miss. They’re starting to run some zone-read stuff with him, which is another element that is dangerous. We’re fortunate that we’ve seen a lot of that in camps with what we’ve done with Tim (Tebow). That’s always something that you have to be prepared for.” – Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, to the Newark Star-Ledger, on Seahawks QB Russell Wilson; adding the senior personnel executive Terry Bradway was so high on Wilson before the NFL Draft that it earned the QB the nickname “Russell Bradway” around the organization
Thursday in Hawkville: Baldwin a full participant in practice
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Nov. 1:
FOCUS ON
Doug Baldwin
Doug Baldwin. Last year’s leading receiver got a high ankle sprain 15 days ago in the game against the 49ers in San Francisco. A high ankle sprain usually means a players will be sidelined at least a month. But Baldwin already is running routes in practice, and saying he will be ready to play in Sunday’s game against the Vikings at CenturyLink Field.
Shouldn’t he still be hobbling around, and counting the weeks before he can return?
“For most people, yeah, but I like to consider myself not most people,” Baldwin said today between the team’s walkthrough and practice.
Coach Pete Carroll continues to list Baldwin’s status for Sunday as “wait and see.”
Asked if he was counting on being in uniform against the Vikings, Baldwin said, “Yeah, definitely. I’m showing them that I’m capable of being out there running around and cutting.”
Getting Baldwin back under any circumstances would be a boost for the still-growing passing game. But it would be huge this week, with the status of Braylon Edwards in question because of a knee situation and Ben Obomanu being placed on injured reserve after damaging his wrist in Sunday’s loss to the Lions in Detroit.
“It’s the game of life, the game of football,” Baldwin said. “Things happen. People go down, unfortunately. Nobody wants to be injured, but that’s just the way it happens sometimes.”
THE CATCH REVISITED, AGAIN
Zach Miller
Yesterday, tight end Zach Miller rated the laid-out, tip-the-ball-to-himself, control-the-ball-as-he-was-falling-in-the-end-zone touchdown catch he made against the Lions on Sunday as the best of his 267 receptions in the NFL.
Today, rookie QB Russell Wilson, who threw the ball, said it was the best catch anyone has ever made on one of his passes. Wilson has thrown only 210 passes in the Seahawks’ first eight games, but he’s also talking Wisconsin, where he put the ball up 309 times last season; and North Carolina State, where he threw 1,180 passes in three seasons as the starter.
“I’ve had some big catches in my lifetime, but that may be definitely No. 1,” Wilson said. “That was a pretty impressive catch; a catch that we needed at a specific time. Zach made a huge, huge catch there.
“It’s Miller time.”
OPPONENT WATCH
Percy Harvin (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Percy Harvin. The name is Percy, but it could be Waldo – as in Where’s Waldo? The Vikings’ do-it-all receiver/returner/runner is, well, doing just that. And you never know where you might find him before the Vikings actually snap the ball.
“He’s a running back at times in their system,” Carroll said, pointing out that half of the times QB Christian Ponder has targeted Harvin it has been behind the line of scrimmage. “They know that he’s a great athlete, a great player and can produce. They figured out ways to get him the football. I think they’re well ahead of what they were last year at this time.
“He’s so good you just have to showcase him, and that’s what they’re doing.”
Harvin leads the Vikings in receptions (60), receiving yards (667) and kickoff return average (35.7), shares the lead in touchdowns (five) and is fourth in rushing (72 yards on 18 carries). What, no sacks or pass attempts?
INJURY REPORT
The official report, as issued by the team:
Did not practice
WR Braylon Edwards (knee)
DT Jason Jones (ankle)
DL Greg Scruggs (oblique)
Limited in practice
CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring)
Full participation
RB Marshawn Lynch (back)
WR Doug Baldwin (ankle)
OG John Moffitt (knee)
Scruggs was added to the report today, while Baldwin and Moffitt took part in all phases of practice after being limited on Wednesday.
For the Vikings:
Did not practice
TE John Carlson (concussion)
WR Percy Harvin (hamstring/not injury related)
Limited in practice
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
Full participation
DT Fred Evans (knee)
DT Letroy Guion (ribs)
LB Erin Henderson (elbow)
P Chris Kluwe (left knee)
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
STAT DU JOUR
As mentioned above, Harvin has been here, there and seemingly everywhere for the Vikings in their first eight games. Here’s a look at where he shows up among the league leaders in his variety of categories:
Receptions
Player, team No.
Percy Harvin, Vikings 60
Wes Welker, Patriots 60
Reggie Wayne, Colts 54
Victor Cruz, Giants 52
Jason Witten, Cowboys 51
Receiving yards
Player, team Yards
Reggie Wayne, Colts 757
Wes Welker, Patriots 736
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos 679
Brandon Marshall, Bears 675
Percy Harvin, Vikings 667
First downs
Player, team No.
Stefan Ridley, Patriots 49
Willis McGahee, Browns 44
Frank Gore, 49ers 42
Percy Harvin, Vikings 41
Kickoff return average
Player, team Avg.
Jacoby Jones, Ravens 39.4
Percy Harvin, Vikings 35.7
Leodis McKelvin, Bills 32.0
Joe Cribbs, Browns 30.3
Leon Washington, Seahawks 29.8
UP NEXT
“Turnover Thursday” gives way to “No Repeat Friday” as the players will hold their final full practice before Sunday’s game.
And speaking of Sunday’s game, this week marks the Seahawks’ annual Tackle Hunger drive, so fans are asked to bring nonperishable food or cash donations that will benefit Northwest Harvest. The American Red Cross also will have volunteers at the game collecting cash donations to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.
YOU DON’T SAY
“He’s an angry runner. I think if you went and watched the tape that’s what you would look at. Every one of them, he looks like he’s trying to break for a long one. He’s very similar to Marshawn (Lynch). That type of angry runner.” – Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley on the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher – by 18 yards over Lynch
Wednesday in Hawkville: Kearse steps into very active role
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Oct. 31:
FOCUS ON
Jermaine Kearse
Jermaine Kearse. Now that the rookie wide receiver from the University of Washington and Lakes High School has been added to the active roster, he’s ready for any and all action that might come his way in the Seahawks’ game against the Vikings at CenturyLink Field on Sunday.
“It’s a dream come true to finally get my chance,” Kearse said today, when he was wearing a new number (11) as he practiced with the Seahawks’ offense rather than against the Seahawks’ defense. “I’m just going to try to do my best in any way I can to help the team succeed.”
And that could range from special teams duty to playing in the four-receiver sets because of the uncertainty over Doug Baldwin (sprained ankle) and Braylon Edwards (swollen knee). Coach Pete Carroll labeled their status as “wait and see.”
Kearse admitted he was wondering if his number would be called because of the injuries to Baldwin and Edwards, as well as the season-ending injury to Ben Obomanu that opened a roster spot for him.
“I mean I’m not going to say I wasn’t thinking about it,” he said. “I just knew that if I got my chance I was going to make the best of my opportunity, and that’s my plan for this weekend.”
For the NFL team he grew up watching in Lakewood, in the stadium his college team is sharing with the Seahawks this season.
“It’s like I can’t get out of Washington,” Kearse joked. “But I’m happy to be here. I’m very fortunate and blessed to be here. Not too many people get to live their whole life in the state and then play for a professional team in their state.”
Kearse has endeared himself to his coaches and teammates because of how hard he has worked, especially while filling the role of the opposition’s best receiver on the scout team each week.
“Jermaine has done a very good job,” Carroll said. “He’s impressed everybody in everything that he’s done. … We’re fortunate to have him available to pop up.”
One of the first to approach Kearse in the locker room was split end Golden Tate. And after he made a nice catch in the end zone during practice, running back Marshawn Lynch jogged over to congratulate him.
“They came and told me that they’re proud of me, that I deserve it, that I’ve worked hard,” Kearse said. “It feels good to have the older guys come up to me and say those type of things. It just shows they care about everybody on this team and they want everybody to succeed.”
Kearse was added to the 53-man roster on Tuesday when Obomanu was placed on injured reserve because he’s expected to have a cast on the wrist he injured in Sunday’s game against the Lions for six to eight weeks.
To fortify the receiving crew, rookie Lavasier Tuinei was today signed to the practice squad, as was rookie Phil Bates on Tuesday. Both players were with the team in training camp.
PLAYER WATCH
Zach Miller
Zach Miller. The Seahawks’ tight end has caught 267 passes in his 5½-season NFL career, but where did the touchdown catch he made against the Lions in Detroit on Sunday rank on that list?
“I think it’s my best,” said Miller, who signed with the Seahawks last year after playing his first four seasons with the Raiders. “I can’t think of any better ones I’ve made, really. It was a tough one, but I think it’s probably my best catch.”
Miller used every inch of his 6-foot-5 frame and a fully extended arm to get to the pass from Russell Wilson in the end zone, tipping the ball with one hand before controlling it as he fell to the turf.
“I didn’t locate it until the last second, so just laid out and hoped that I could at least get a hand on it,” Miller said. “I got enough of it on there that I was able to tip it back to myself.”
What goes through his mind while all this is taking place?
“It’s just natural, just reacting to the ball,” he said. “That comes from playing football for so many years that you have a feel for it.”
INJURY REPORT
The official report, as issued by the team:
Did not practice
WR Braylon Edwards (knee)
DT Jason Jones (ankle)
Limited in practice
WR Doug Baldwin (ankle)
OG John Moffitt (knee)
CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring)
Full participation
RB Marshawn Lynch (back)
Carroll said Jones might try to do some work later in the week, but that he doesn’t know if he’ll be available for Sunday’s game.
For the Vikings:
Did not practice
TE John Carlson (concussion)
LB Tyrone McKenzie (not injury related)
Limited in practice
WR Percy Harvin (hamstring)
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
Full participation
DT Fred Evans (knee)
DT Letroy Guion (ribs)
LB Erin Henderson (elbow)
P Chris Kluwe (left knee)
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
STAT DU JOUR
The Seahawks are 4-4 for the 13th time in franchise history. Here’s a look at how they fared the other 12 times:
Year Final record (playoffs)
1978 9-7
1980 4-12
1983 9-7 (2-1)
1985 8-8
1988 9-7 (0-1)
1989 7-9
1991 7-9
1993 6-10
1998 8-8
2001 9-7
2007 10-6 (1-1)
2010 7-9 (1-1)
UP NEXT
“Competition Wednesday” gives way to “Turnover Thursday” as the players continue to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Vikings – their first of two in a row at CenturyLink Field.
The Seahawks’ Tackle Hunger drive is Sunday, so fans attending the game are asked to bring nonperishable food or cash donations that will be donated to Northwest Harvest. The American Red Cross also will have volunteers at the game collecting cash donations to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I’m counting on this being a big finish.” – Carroll on the Seahawks playing five of their eight games at home in the second half of the season
