Seahawks will bounce back against the Cardinals

The Seahawks lost a frustrating game to the Rams 23-17 in front of their home crowd.  This loss will make the team stronger and force them to correct their mistakes before the playoffs.

The St. Louis Rams always play the Seahawks tough, and this game was no different.  The Seahawks struggled to get enough momentum to turn around an early deficit, and the ball clearly didn’t want to bounce their way.

If the Seahawks want to make a run in the playoffs, they will need to correct their mistakes from this game and move on.  There wasn’t one mistake that defined the loss, but more of a dissapointing performance by the entire team.

The Seahawks thrive when their backs are against the wall.  Overcoming adversity is second nature to them, and it brings them closer as a team.

Losing to the Rams may turn out to be a good thing when we look back on this season.  It could be used as a wakeup call that brings them together right before the playoffs.

Dec 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) celebrates after scoring on a 25-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams during an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What was really disappointing to see from the Seahawks was the lack of energy to start the game.  They came out flat and uninspired, looking like they were burning off some of that Christmas turkey dinner.

Maybe the Seahawks got complacent after clinching a playoff spot a week earlier, or the Rams just simply outplayed them.

I think it was a bit of both, and the Seahawks need to have a good week of practice so they can bounce back next week against the Cardinals.

The Seahawks know they are capable of making a long playoff run and another Super Bowl appearance, but to do that they will need to play the Cardinals with the passion and energy that their fans are used to seeing.

Being an optimistic Seahawks fan I expect that the Hawks will come out flying when they play the Cardinals in Arizona.

This is the first time the Seahawks will be in Glendale, Arizona since they lost the Super Bowl in horrific fashion.  Not that they need it, but this could be used for some added motivation.

Losing to the Rams reminded me of 2013 when the Seahawks faced the Cardinals at home in week 16 and lost 17-10.  That game was sloppy and frustrating to watch, snapping the Seahawks’ home winning streak at 14.

More from 12th Man Rising

• 4 prospects Seahawks could reach for at No. 20 in 2023 NFL Draft
• Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft: Post-first wave of free agency 
• Seahawks podcast: A review of the first week of free agency
• 4 experiments the Seattle Seahawks could cut short in 2023
• 3 pros and cons of Seattle Seahawks drafting Anthony Richardson

The Seahawks responded the next week against the Rams in the last game of the regular season, winning 27-9, and got back on track.  And, as I’m sure you all remember, the Seahawks went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII that same year in dominating fashion.

If they can follow the same path they did in 2013, where they learned from their mistakes in a late season loss and got better because of it, then they will be very dangerous in the playoffs.

The Seattle Seahawks have what it takes to make another run at a Super Bowl, but in order for them to reach that goal they need to play like they’re capable of.  They have a golden opportunity this Sunday against the Cardinals to regain their momentum for a playoff run.