So far this season prime time games have been somewhat disappointing, especially Thursday nights. Last week we had a line up of Seahawks-Cardinals, Broncos-Colts, and Vikings-Giants, Two of the 3 were stinky. Monday Night’s matchup didn’t really excite me but I was intrigued. I wanted to see Tavon Austin on primetime (too bad he didn’t have his starter) and how would the Seahawks look in their consecutive primetime game. To the average fan, this game would be considered boring, which it was, but it was still a good football game to watch. People are so use to seeing 40+ points being scored now, that its hard to appreciate a game where 14 points was the most.
(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
I can’t lie I watched the World Series for a minute before I switched to this game. Once the Red Sox went up 3-1, I watched the final 18 minutes of this game and it was quite entertaining.The Rams ran 32 plays and gained 202 yards but could break the Seattle Seahawks defense growing up watching the Ravens, I can appreciate a game like that. And to really explain how much they were on the field in the 4th quarter, the Seahawks offense only ran 7 plays. That’s a great defense right there. And I would like to officially crown Earl Thomas as the best safety in the league. Ed and Polamalu are at the end of their career and Earl is entering his prime. During the game, John Gruden said he was worthy of the Defensive Player of the Year award and I questioned it. But after he tallied 10 tackles and smash Daryl Richardson on the 2 yard line,I understood why he made that statement.
(AP Photo)
If you look at this game on paper, the Seahawks were supposed to lose this game by multiple touchdowns. The Rams actually out played the Seahawks in every statistically category (shoutout to the numbers junkies) but just didn’t beat them. With a backup quarterback in the game, the Rams rushed for 200 yards on this highly acclaimed Seahawks defense. Rookie Zac Stacy should pat himself on the back, he carried the rock 26 times and gained 134 yards, 5.2 yards a pop. But like the Rams offense he couldn’t get into the endzone. Kellen Clemens did a good enough job to challenge the Seahawks all the way down to the final play, but at the end of day couldn’t make the plays to beat them. After getting the ball with 5:40 left in the 4th quarter with all 3 timeouts, the Rams found themselves 1 yard away from beating the Seahawks with 2 downs, a timeout, and 31 seconds to do it. One down resulted in a stuff and the other and final down, overthrown incomplete pass. Defense wins everything
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Seahawks offense did enough to win the game. Even though the couldn’t move the ball well, they made the biggest plays at the best times. Golden Tate 80 yard TD came out of nowhere. Russell Wilson threw it 50 yards down the field into single converge, Tate vs Jenoris Jenkins, and Tate caught it. He didn’t just catch it though, he really embarrassed the Rams secondary. After making Jenoris look bad he made safety Rodney McLeod feel stupid when he waved at him for 30 yards. Now it was a stupid bonehead play but I’m sure it was a reason for that. The Rams defense did play good though but like Clemens, they just couldn’t make the plays to win this game. Robert Quinn and Chris Long both balled out of control this game. Both premier ends combined for 8 tackled and 6 sacks. The only thing they didn’t do was force a turnover, a play that the Rams needed to win this game. That is another plus for the Seahawks, they didn’t turn the ball over. What I am disappointed about is that Marshawn Lynch only got 8 carries. This is his type of game and why you pay him the big bucks for games like this. But the fact they won make it easier to move on from games like this.
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Seahawks just made a statement these past two weeks. 2 straight division wins on national television is great for the moral of the team. And that’s what they are, a team. They worked together as a unit, especially their secondary. In the post game, Richard Sherman explained how he and the rest of the Legion of Boom are like a brotherhood and watch hours of film together. You can definitely tell that they are well prepared and have great chemistry. Then you add that dominate defensive line to the equation, passing on the Seahawks have been and will continue to be a very tough task. And I noticed how they completing took Tavon out of the gameplan. The Seahawks didn’t give Tavon an inch to operate, any time he made a move it was Seahawk defender on his back. I noticed early how much the Seahawks keyed on him, and that may be what the Rams needed, a big play from Tavon.
