Seahawks vs. Cowboys: Rapid reaction to Seattle win

The Seahawks defeated Dallas 21-12 on Sunday. The win, along with Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions losses, keep Seattle’s playoff hopes alive. Here’s how Seattle won on Sunday.

Seahawks win! After Seattle’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week, this win was a bit unexpected. Especially against a good running team like Dallas. And honestly, early on, though Seattle kept it close, Dallas looked like they would run the ball with ease all game.

Then the Cowboys started passing. And Christmas Eve brought 12s this gift…

And then Coleman gave the Salvation Army this gift…

And this interception changed the entire complexion of the game. Dallas was grinding out yards and eating up clock and could have kept running the ball. The problems came when they wanted Dak Prescott to throw it.

Even when Prescott completed a pass, some bad things happened.

Really, if I am honest, the Cowboys mostly beat themselves in this game. They had three turnovers to Seattle’s zero. Seattle gained a total of 136 offensive yards, though they had 15 first downs. It was a weird game.

Prescott finished 21 of 34 for 182 with two interceptions and was sacked four times. His passer rating was 51.3.

In other words, it was a classic Seattle game. And one in which they won.

Others

Mike Davis had 25 yards rushing. There has never been a more effective 25 yards. It seemed like he ran for 80 yards. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott gained 51 yards on 11 carries in the first quarter, but only 97 yards on 24 carries total. I think if the Cowboys had stuck with Elliott more in the first half they could have tired Seattle’s defense enough where they would not have been able to shut Elliott down in the second half. But they did.

Frank Clark was active and excellent, finishing with one sack and a tackle for loss. Shaquill Griffin also had a sack and was a great in coverage. Coleman was probably the Seahawks second best player of the game.

But no one puts Earl Thomas in a corner. Like the Rams game in week five. Thomas affected the game like no other free safety can. He finished with 11 tackles and pressed run coverage from the second quarter on.

Seattle was helped by two misses by Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey, but don’t blame Bailey too much. He did score all of Dallas’s points, of course.

And it was a great day overall. The Lions lost so they’re cooked. The Falcons lost as well. If Atlanta loses to the Carolina Panthers next Sunday and the Seahawks win, Seattle is going to the playoffs.

Related Story: Seahawks activate DeShawn Shead. Does it matter?

This is going to be a great Christmas.