Seahawks Home Winning Streak Ends At 14

Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) short of the end zone during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Marcus Benard (59) assist on the tackle. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

For the last 14 Seahawks games at Centurylink Field, the hometown fans have been able to walk out of the stadium with a smile on their face while the opposing team was forced to take the long flight home trying to get their ears to stop ringing. Unfortunately, the invincibility of the Seahawks at home took a big blow on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona’s impressively stout defense and Seattle’s penchant for penalties helped to put an end to the longest home winning streak in the NFL.

So now what? Have the Arizona Cardinals exposed the secret to beating the Seattle Seahawks at home? Or is it more likely that Seattle played a tough game against one of the hottest teams in the NFL and came out on the losing end? Seeing how Arizona has won seven of their last eight games leads me to believe that their improved play is probably the more likely reason.

I know it’s hard to imagine this right now but a loss at The Clink might be the best possible thing for the Seahawks as they prepare to enter the postseason. The growing mystique of Seattle’s home field advantage was starting to create a false sense of security for the Seahawks. Several players on Seattle’s roster have never even lost a game at Centurylink Field. Now that everyone in the organization has seen that they are vulnerable at home their focus should increase dramatically.

That isn’t to say the Cardinals didn’t expose the Seahawks last Sunday. Obviously, Seattle’s offensive line continues to have it’s troubles and any team that slows down the Seahawks run game appears to have a chance. This was also the first game where Seattle desperately could have used Percy Harvin to provide a spark. But no matter what happens with the offense going forward it’s most important for the Seahawks to have homefield advantage in the playoffs. It’s possible their next home winning streak could lead them to the Super Bowl.