The best play from the Seahawks season opener

Today we will examine the best play from the Seahawks season opener.  After a back and forth battle last week, the Seahawks came out on the losing end of a tilt that easily could have gone either way.  The Rams came out with a game plan and executed very well.  The way that St. Louis was able to pressure Wilson the entire game was impressive.  This is the point in the post game recap where we must give credit to where credit is due, the Rams and Nick Foles played a great game.

If you were to tell me that the Seahawks were to score 31 points I would say well done it feels great to start the season 1-0.  We have gotten so accustomed to having our defense dominate the opposition that it has become second nature to us that this would produce a victory.  In fact the last time the Seahawks scored 30 or more points in a loss was on September 14th, 2008 when the Seahawks lost to the 49ers in OT.  The Seahawks offensive leaders for that game were Matt Hasselbeck, Julius Jones and John Carlson.  It has been a while.

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (5) is stripped of the ball by Seattle Seahawks defensive back Cary Williams (26) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Before we get to the best play from the Seahawks season opener we need to set the stage.  Late in the fourth quarter Cary Williams forced Nick Foles to fumble, then he ran across the field and recoverd the fumble then he scooped up the fumble and then he scored a touchdown.

This amazing touchdown gave Seattle a 31-24 lead with time winding down in the fourth quarter.  With only 4:46 remaining I had faith that the Seahawks defense would take over and send us back to Seattle with a hard fought win.  Nick Foles had other ideas as he passed to Lance Kendricks who found himself wide open in the end zone for the TD.  With only 56 seconds remaining the Seahawks tried to force the ball downfield but eventually settled on waiting for OT.

To open OT the Seahawks did one of two things, they either had the worst kickoff in the history of the NFL or failed miserably on their ‘specialty kickoff’ as coach Caroll and Hauschka explained.  Either way the kick only went about 15 yards giving the Rams the ball at the Seattle 49 yard line.  The Rams ran up the middle for a gain of two, setting up 2nd down and 8 from the Seahawks 47.

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey (12) catches a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Then the Rams went over the top for the best play from the Seahawks season opener.  The Rams setup from the shotgun with three wide recievers, the Seahawks lined up in a nickel (3 CB) defense with Sherman lining up against the slot reciever, Stedman Bailey.  Once the ball was snapped Sherman bumped Bailey and ran with him the entire play.

Bailey ran a post route, Sherman was in his hip pocket the entire time.  Foles looked right at him and threw a dime, placing the ball in a situation in which only Bailey could catch it.  As he was catching the ball not only did Sherman catch up with him but also Earl Thomas came over the top.  This 22 yard completion put the Rams in field goal range which lead to the final score 31-34.

In closing credit is due to Nick Foles who went after the Legion of Boom taking on not one but two of its charter members for a great play.