Grading the Seahawks after the Jets Game

Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) jumps up and intercepts the pass intended for New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller (81) during the 1st half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

Well it is Finally Bye week for the Seattle Seahawks and it came at a perfect time before they go on the road for the next two games against the Dolphins and the Bears. All things considered Sunday was a huge game for the Seahawks as they were able to handily win a game that they were suppose to win. It was not filled with all of the suspense in the fourth quarter that Hawks fans have come accustomed to this season. Here is a look at how the team looked in all 3 phases of the game.

Offense B

This game was really a tale of two halves for the Seahawks Offense. Other then the first drive of the game, the Seahawks offense really sputtered in the first half. Rex Ryan was able to confuse the offensive line with his blitz packages and the pressure forced Russell Wilson to do a lot of dancing in the pocket. The dancing forced two fumbles one of which resulted in the only points on the day for the Jets.

We are constantly talking about Russell Wilson and rightfully so but; it is being shown on a weekly basis that Golden Tate is finally becoming the playmaker that the Seahawks hoped for when they drafted him. His stats are not going to jump off the paper at you, but every time the Seahawks need a big play he is somewhere around the ball (Green Bay Game). Not to mention that he now has a passing touchdown to his credit ugly as it may have been. Sydney Rice has been able to stay healthy and because of that he had two touchdown catches and nearly a third on the flea-flicker. Zach Miller and Doug Baldwin were steady safety blankets for Wilson when needed.

Marshawn Lynch again had a solid game rushing for 124 yards and he went over the 1000 yard mark again this year. Lynch was slowed during the week with back spasms and it showed early in the game but once he loosened up the runs started getting longer and longer. Although he did lose his first fumble of the season and appeared to hurt or jam his wrist on the play in the 2nd quarter. This is a much needed week of rest for Lynch so that “Beastmode” can be unleashed in the later part of the season.

Defense A

Grading the Seahawks Defense against the Jets should start and end with the word Sherman. Richard Sherman was all over the field, he had an interception in the endzone, he had a sack and he had a forced fumble. All the while completely shutting down whatever receiver he was guarding on the left side of the field.

Bruce Irvin made his presence felt with his speed rush with two sacks again, that gives him three multi sack games on the season and he now has 7 sacks on the season. Chris Clemons didn’t record any sacks but his presence was felt with his batted balls and he constantly hurried Mark Sanchez.

KJ Wright was out of the game with the remnants of his concussion from the Vikings game. The Seahawks showed their young depth at linebacker by sticking Mike Morgan in Wrights spot and he rewarded them by recording 6 tackles. Bobby Wagner again continues to get better each week as he was flying around and recording 9 tackles.

Special Teams B

This was a pretty average week for the Seahawks special teams; there was nothing spectacular other then the muffed punt by Jeremy Kerley which Kam Chancellor recovered. That fumble really got the momentum back on the Seahawks side late in the second quarter. The punt coverage was superb and constantly waiting for Kerley to fair catch the ball.

Jeremy Kerley was only able to return 2 out of 6 punts and Kerley totaled 6 yards on the two returns. Although Jon Ryan did shank one punt in the 1st half. He also put 2 of the 6 punts inside the 20 yard line.

Leon Washington had a quiet day returning the ball although he did not get many opportunities, 1 kick return for 17 yards and 3 punt returns totaling 40 yards.

Wrap-up

All in all this was probably the most complete game that the Seahawks have had all year. Especially in the 2nd half, all three phases of the team were clicking and we the 12th Man was finally able to see what this Seahawks team can look like when they click on all cylinders. This game was against the 3-6 Jets but again it is important to handily beat the teams that you are supposed to beat. This was a solid win for the Seahawks as they go into their bye week before they make the push to the playoffs throughout the rest of the season.