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browna · 01-05-2013, 11:49 PM

Big game in a few hours...my thoughts for anyone who cares.

Seattle getting a lot of attention the last month with the big scores, and beatdown of San Fran, and now expected to win tomorrow by most, when 3-4 weeks ago the Seahawks were defined around the league as "the team that got a lucky win" on MNF.

Truth is, they've been preparing and executing this well since beating the Vikings the first weekend in November. Outside of a defense who was feeling the heat (literally) in Miami and let Miami march down the field for two 4th quarter drives (and a INT called back for roughing the passer), they would be undefeated since then. The 50+ point games were not a bunch of flukes, it was executing and taking advantage of Buffalo and Arizona's errors...but wins vs Minnesota, Chicago, and San Fran were games where Seattle was noticeably better all game.

Really hard as a fan not to be excited for this playoffs in so far as possibilities, but also longer term. From Wilson to the defense, Lynch going about his business and the low key receivers, this team has has the confidence of knowing they just have to execute and things will go there way. That comes down to the coaching staff and the maturity of Wilson, to help prepare the team every week. Its been building, but this last 4 weeks that have opened the eyes of the NFL, but the team has looked prepared and confident twice as long that.

Not since the Superbowl team has the team looked this good, but I'd venture to say, this may be even a better "feeling" about the team then that. Back then it was a meh NFC west, and the Seahawks rode Alexander. Hasslebeck was good often very good, but still made you pull your hair out with poor decisions every game, and straying away from the game plan trying to be a hero. He managed to get through it and the team did well that year, but it wasn't a surprise in following years that it turned sideways quickly as Hasslebeck's attitude and poor decision making came back to bite them as his physical abilities started to decline. Holmgren couldn't control him, or could Jim Mora, and Carroll the first year was stuck with him. This team, you get the sense that the QB is in full control...he's a control freak and studies hours and hours of film in preparation. It bodes well for the future, and having the defense vastly improved in all three areas, certainly helps. So if the team stays grounded, no reason this team can't be in this kind of shape for the next few years.

But, anything can happen in a one gamer...two or three bad bounces and things go badly, quickly, tomorrow. Thankfully the St. Louis game grounded the team a bit, and they should be ready to go as they have been most of the season, certainly the last half. As I said previously, I think the Seahawks have seen more of/and or better teams this years than what the Redskins do on both sides of ball, then the Redskins have seen in their 16 games. Seattle's slugged it out and had to change game plans on offense and defense with NE, MIN, Chicago, GB, SF...the one loss to SF, it was within a score. If Griffin isn't 100%, that will hurt Washington, as they will need his abilities to scramble. But with a Bruce Irvin and younger, more mobile LB's this year in Seattle, it's not going to be a cakewalk. On offense...Lynch is as good a RB as Washington has seen all season, and Wilson's ability to do the read option is a new wrinkle, along with multiple receivers who are all reliable, and 2 TE's who are also reliable...a balanced attack. Full credit to Washington for making the big run to get to this point, I just see Seattle equal or better in each aspect of the game, and if Griffin can't be the mobile QB he was in the first 10-12 games, it will be that much tougher.

Given the way the last 8 games of the season has gone since the shackles have been taken off the playbook for Wilson, and how well the team has looked on defense and just done all its needed to do to win games fairly convincingly, it would be a real shame to bow out tomorrow. Hoping for good things, and then moving onto Atlanta, but can't take anything for granted.

01-05-2013, 11:49 PM	#145
browna Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Calgary Exp:	Big game in a few hours...my thoughts for anyone who cares. Seattle getting a lot of attention the last month with the big scores, and beatdown of San Fran, and now expected to win tomorrow by most, when 3-4 weeks ago the Seahawks were defined around the league as "the team that got a lucky win" on MNF. Truth is, they've been preparing and executing this well since beating the Vikings the first weekend in November. Outside of a defense who was feeling the heat (literally) in Miami and let Miami march down the field for two 4th quarter drives (and a INT called back for roughing the passer), they would be undefeated since then. The 50+ point games were not a bunch of flukes, it was executing and taking advantage of Buffalo and Arizona's errors...but wins vs Minnesota, Chicago, and San Fran were games where Seattle was noticeably better all game. Really hard as a fan not to be excited for this playoffs in so far as possibilities, but also longer term. From Wilson to the defense, Lynch going about his business and the low key receivers, this team has has the confidence of knowing they just have to execute and things will go there way. That comes down to the coaching staff and the maturity of Wilson, to help prepare the team every week. Its been building, but this last 4 weeks that have opened the eyes of the NFL, but the team has looked prepared and confident twice as long that. Not since the Superbowl team has the team looked this good, but I'd venture to say, this may be even a better "feeling" about the team then that. Back then it was a meh NFC west, and the Seahawks rode Alexander. Hasslebeck was good often very good, but still made you pull your hair out with poor decisions every game, and straying away from the game plan trying to be a hero. He managed to get through it and the team did well that year, but it wasn't a surprise in following years that it turned sideways quickly as Hasslebeck's attitude and poor decision making came back to bite them as his physical abilities started to decline. Holmgren couldn't control him, or could Jim Mora, and Carroll the first year was stuck with him. This team, you get the sense that the QB is in full control...he's a control freak and studies hours and hours of film in preparation. It bodes well for the future, and having the defense vastly improved in all three areas, certainly helps. So if the team stays grounded, no reason this team can't be in this kind of shape for the next few years. But, anything can happen in a one gamer...two or three bad bounces and things go badly, quickly, tomorrow. Thankfully the St. Louis game grounded the team a bit, and they should be ready to go as they have been most of the season, certainly the last half. As I said previously, I think the Seahawks have seen more of/and or better teams this years than what the Redskins do on both sides of ball, then the Redskins have seen in their 16 games. Seattle's slugged it out and had to change game plans on offense and defense with NE, MIN, Chicago, GB, SF...the one loss to SF, it was within a score. If Griffin isn't 100%, that will hurt Washington, as they will need his abilities to scramble. But with a Bruce Irvin and younger, more mobile LB's this year in Seattle, it's not going to be a cakewalk. On offense...Lynch is as good a RB as Washington has seen all season, and Wilson's ability to do the read option is a new wrinkle, along with multiple receivers who are all reliable, and 2 TE's who are also reliable...a balanced attack. Full credit to Washington for making the big run to get to this point, I just see Seattle equal or better in each aspect of the game, and if Griffin can't be the mobile QB he was in the first 10-12 games, it will be that much tougher. Given the way the last 8 games of the season has gone since the shackles have been taken off the playbook for Wilson, and how well the team has looked on defense and just done all its needed to do to win games fairly convincingly, it would be a real shame to bow out tomorrow. Hoping for good things, and then moving onto Atlanta, but can't take anything for granted.