Seahawks win over Cowboys because of Chris Carson and Earl Thomas

The Seahawks decided to run the ball on Sunday. Earl Thomas got two picks. And Seattle won the game the right way.

So much for the Seahawks trading Earl Thomas to the Cowboys. Thomas had two interceptions against the Cowboys. Chris Carson ran the ball 32 times. And Seattle finally – finally – played the kind of game they need to play to win in 2018. And they did win 24-13 over Dallas on Sunday.

If there was ever a time Thomas proved to John Schneider that he deserves to be in Seattle very long-term, this was the game. Thomas may have grown up a Cowboys fan, but if Seattle chooses to sign Thomas to a contract that will make him a Seahawk for the rest of his career, he will most likely be a Seattle fan for the rest of his life.

Thomas had two great interceptions against Dallas. One came on a fourth quarter pick after linebacker Bobby Wagner – welcome back, Bobby! – made a late break to defend a short pass over the middle. Wagner got the ball to pop up and Thomas took it. And did so in perfect Thomas style.

After the pick, Thomas bowed to the Cowboys sideline. He earned a 15-yard penalty for this. But that bow may also have been Thomas’s way of saying goodbye to Dallas. He isn’t being traded. And he should remain with the Seahawks.

Offensively, Seattle chose to run the ball. Thankfully. The Seahawks gave Carson the ball 32 times and he gained 102 yards and touchdown. Plus, he basically ended the game for all intents on a 12 yard run to give Seattle a first down.

Carson ran the ball strong and proved if Seattle just gives him the ball, the Seahawks can control the clock. Plus, Seattle running effectively allowed Russell Wilson to relax and make safe throws. Of course, he also made throws that were perfect. Like one to Brandon Marshall for a key first down.

Basically, the Seahawks won on Sunday because they played the way they have to to win this year. They ran the ball well enough. They gave Wilson enough time. (Dallas had just two sacks.) And the defense stopped the Cowboys on enough drives so that Seattle controlled field position.

Sunday was a new kind of Seahawks win. And Brian Schottenheimer called a good enough game (except for a few drives to start the second half) to put Seattle in a position to win.

That 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo got hurt and will be out the rest of the season helps Seattle. The Rams are easily the best team in the NFC West. But if the Seahawks can get four wins combined over Arizona and San Francisco, Seattle could find themselves in a position to make the playoffs. Sunday’s win was a sign of how Seattle can get there.