Seattle Dominates Second Half
The Seattle Seahawks came into Sunday’s Wild Card match-up riding high, as did the Washington Redskins. After a week of off-field trash talking it finally came time to lace ‘em up. And just as expected, things got chippy early on.
The post whistle activities were in abundance on the torn up grass at FedEx Field. There were many great personal battles to watch, including the chess match between Carroll and Shanahan.
Here’s a look at some of the key reasons the Hawks rallied to leave the nation’s capital with a huge W.
Seattle Defense
The old saying “bend but don’t break” was very appropriate Sunday afternoon for Seattle’s stingy D. The first quarter was literally a nightmare for Hawks fans. RG3 and the Skins just marched up-and-down the field, utilizing the strong rookie RB Alfred Morris, and allowing the play action pass to get guys open over the middle.
Wilson helped lead the comeback against the Redskins. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/Washington Times)
The quick 14 point onslaught was a nerve wrecking start to any game, let alone a road playoff game. But things settled down in the second quarter and the Hawks got back to their run-stopping and ball-hawking tendencies.
After the Skins’ 14 unanswered, Seattle’s defense shut down Griffin and forced a turnover leading to 13 straight Seahawk points heading into the locker room at the half. And into the second half they just elevated it from there. Guys like Richard Sherman and K.J. Wright started throwing their weight around and playing that smash mouth Seahawks defense.
Seattle finished the regular season allowing the league’s least points per game, and stayed true to that giving up just 14 to a very good Redskins offense.
Beast Mode
Marshawn Lynch has emerged to be so much more than just the bruising runner he is typically identified as. I mean, he still pounds away at those defenders all game long, wearing them down, then breaking a big one late. But he has proven lately he also possesses soft hands, nimble feet, and a great football IQ.
A great example Sunday was the broken hand-off play where the ball popped loose between Russell Wilson and Lynch, nearly resulting in a devastating turnover. Instead, Marshawn, with his head on a swivel, noticed the fallen pigskin and scooped it up with one hand, then tip toed down the sideline for a first down. Then, of course, Beast Mode did more of what most fans are accustomed to… he rumbled. Against a physical Washington defense, Lynch held his own, and then some. He finished the game with an impressive 132 yards off 20 carries with one rushing touchdown.
Russell Wilson
This kid is simply amazing.
In the face of pressure and a hostile playoff environment, he stepped up like a seasoned veteran and delivered another rock solid performance. The battle of rookie QBs was a hot topic going into Sunday’s game, but Wilson seemed to have no interest in who is the better pivot. His only concern week-in and week-out is winning. He is exactly the type of player this team needed to get to this next level in the post season.
While RG3′s unfortunate injury certainly hindered his performance, Wilson proved he was the better quarterback on that field. Wilson displays great fundamentals, a strong arm, and very quick and able legs. But what sets him apart is his heart and will to win.
Never was it more evident than when Marshawn Lynch was rumbling down the field, and Wilson ran past him to throw a block near the goal line setting up the touchdown. Wilson the winner struck again.
It was a total team effort for the Hawks, including a great game called by Pete Carroll with lots of blitzing and pressure. This was Seattle’s first road playoff victory since 1983. Let’s hope they make it two straight down in HotLanta this coming weekend.
Go Hawks!
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