Gut Reaction: Seattle vs. New York Jets

Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) celebrate an interception by Sherman against the New York Jets during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

First off let me say that a tie is bogus. Nothing to do with the Seattle game per se, but it could have implications later on in the season. Football is the only professional sport that can still end in a tie. I get that it’s huge men slamming into each other and that sort of physical activity does not take place in basketball and baseball. However, going into multiple overtimes in the other sports, basketball especially, also runs increased risks of injury. A tie means that the game should pretty much never have been played. The Niners and Rams could have, and should have, gone at least another fifteen minutes.

Anyways, onto the Seahawks game. It was an ugly game. Not sexy to watch and nothing big was proven. Rex Ryan has had good success at limiting rookie quarterbacks and Russell Wilson did better than the standard, but it was still ugly. If you aren’t going to throw it away, then definitely don’t fumble it……twice.

I have to say that I love the flea flicker being used with some regularity. Sidney Rice can throw, Golden Tate can throw (albeit ugly), and of course Wilson can throw. It’s a better option than any sort of wild cat formation. With that said, I know Mark Sanchez isn’t a good quarterback, but if people really think Tim Tebow would be any better, then move to Washington, because whatever you’re smoking is now legal in the Evergreen state. Tebow hardly works as a gimmick. If he got every snap, teams would watch tape on him, stack the box, and shut him down.

Kudos to Marshawn Lynch for breaking 1,000 yards in the season after only ten games. Huge milestone. Honestly, the 1,000 yard mark doesn’t mean the same thing it used to, but it’s still a big achievement. Seeing how bummed Lynch was after his fumble was honestly reassuring. I know what it feels like to think you let your team down and to see that kind of emotion, dedication, and reflection in a player means a lot. I’m not saying other players don’t get frustrated, but for Lynch it was personal. He then ran for two touchdowns.

Richard Sherman is the man. I can’t wait to get my number 25 jersey. Only question is: what color? I love his attitude and his complete ability to back it up. An interception, a sack, a forced fumble, three tackles, and three defenced passes. All while battling bronchitis! If that doesn’t scream all-pro, I don’t know what does. Seeing him cover Brandon Marshall in three weeks is going to be awesome. I anticipate Jay Cutler encountering some severe frustration with Seattle’s secondary. Hopefully, Seattle’s run defense is also rested and improved by then.

I still really want to see Zach Miller used more in the offense. I don’t like our receivers left hung out to dry over the middle, late. Seattle can’t afford to lose any more receivers. I’m also not sold on Evan Moore or Anthony McCoy. I would love to see Miller retained and get another solid tight end in the off season or draft.

Although the game was ugly, it’s reassuring to see the Seahawks gut-it-out and win. It’s more important to win than to win pretty. This is what it will take to beat teams like Chicago and San Francisco. Seattle really has to go 3-o in the remaining division games. That is critical step number one to making the playoffs. San Francisco and Chicago are the two teams left that pose serious challenges from the get-go. Arizona and Miami could also be candidates for an upset, so the Seahawks can’t afford to get complacent.

All that being said, I think Seattle tastes it. They know they are on the precipice. They can feel how close they are and it only makes them hungrier. Needless to say, I was pretty devastated with the loss to the Niners and then the Lions. After those two losses, I felt like I was staring into the abyss for the 2012 season. I believe the Seahawks players did too, yet they were able to step away from the ledge after having confronted that potential fate. Now I, the 12th Man, and the Seahawks seem poised to go “once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.”