The Seahawks hung tough with the Cowboys, but eventually fell to Ezekiel Elliott’s runs and some big plays by Dak Prescott.
The Seahawks gave it their best effort and made a furious comeback, but the Cowboys managed to keep Chris Carson bottled up all night. Both Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper made big plays throughout. Eventually, Elliott’s 169 yards on 31 touches were too much for Seattle.
Dallas started well as they drove the ball down to Seattle’s 25 yard line in their first six plays. The Hawks shut them down from there, forcing the Cowboys to settle for a 39 yard field goal. The Seahawks couldn’t pick up a single first down in the first quarter. The Cowboys came up big on defense, stuffing a Chris Carson screen for an eight yard loss, and dropping Russell Wilson on key third downs.
The Seahawks finally did something other than run on first down in the second quarter. Tight end Ed Dickson picked up 26 yards on play action. Russell Wilson then hit Tyler Lockett for 40 yards on the very next play. Lockett would go on to have a spectacular night and prove he is worth every penny of his extension. The drive stalled, but Seabass nailed the 27 yard field goal to knot the game at 3 – 3.
Seattle Seahawks
Late in the second quarter, Frank Clark came up with back to back big plays. First he dropped Ezekiel Elliot for no gain, then followed that with a big sack of Dak Prescott. Speaking of extensions, please get Mr. Clark signed, ASAP. Cowboys kicker Brett Maher pushed his 58 yard field goal attempt to the right.
Tyler Lockett made an insane catch to bail out his quarterback just two plays later. Okay, it wasn’t insane, it was just one of Lockett’s routinely great catches, for 25 yards. At the two minute warning, Wilson had just four completions, but three of them were for 25 yards or more.
The Cowboys got away with pass interference on a deep ball to Doug Baldwin. It wasn’t much, but the replay clearly showed Dallas corner Chidobie Awuzie hold Baldwin’s arm. Old – and I do mean old – realiable Sebastian Janikowski hit from 42 yards to put the Seahawks up, 6 – 3.
Somehow Seattle decided not to set the edge and allowed Ezekiel Elliott to run free for 44 yards. It appeared to be a blown assignment by Akeem King. Unfortunately it put Dallas just outside the red zone, and they cashed in soon after with an 11 yard strike from Dak Prescott to Michael Gallup. Dallas went ahead, 10 – 6. Prescott still isn’t better than Russell Wilson, but he did have a nice game.
Tyler Lockett worked his magic on the ensuing kickoff, ripping off a 52 yard return. With just 16 seconds left, the Seahawks didn’t have much clock to work with. They did manage to get Janikowski in reasonable range. Sadly, not only did Seabass pull the kick wide right, he appeared to also pull his hamstring on the kick. Not good news in a close ball game.
For the half, Seattle only gained 22 yards on 10 carries. They also set a playoff record with 34 three and outs in the half. Okay, it was four, but it certainly seemed like more. Thankfully things improved in the second half.
The second half saw more offense by both sides
The Hawks started the second half the same way they started the game, with two runs and an incomplete pass. Happily, Seattle forced Dallas into a quick three and out as well. Incredibly, the Seahawks ran play action on first down. Ed Dickson picked up nine yards as Wilson cooly evaded a sack near his own two yard line. Rookie Rashaad Penny picked up the first, then ripped off a 28 yard run. Penny was then dropped for a seven yard loss, and Carson dropped a swing pass to bring up third and 17. Seattle made a bizarre call, hitting Nick Vannett in the flat for five yards. Another inexplicable offensive play.
Michael Dickson made it worthwhile, as he dropped a high punt inside the Dallas five yard line. As it bounced to the end zone, Neiko Thorpe punched it back for Justin Coleman to down the ball at the two. Terrific work by the special teams after the debacle against the Cardinals.
Dallas got nothing going as the Seattle defense wreaked havoc along the line on play after play. Seahawks took possession at the Dallas 44 yard line after forcing the punt. Of course, Seattle ran the ball on their first two plays. Seattle amazingly went for it on fourth and six. Even more amazing, Doug Baldwin made a spectacular 22 yard catch off a spectacular throw by Wilson. After two more runs Wilson took off on a keeper for a first down at the Cowboys five yard line. After a one yard run by Carson, Wilson faked the handoff again and strolls into the end zone. Mike Davis drove into the end zone on the two point conversion. Seattle took the lead, 14 – 10.
The Cowboys rose to the challenge and put together their first good drive of the second half. The highlight was a 34 yard strike to Amari Cooper that got the ball to Seattle’s 16 yard line. The Cowboys took a page out of the Seahawks book, as Prescott took off on a keeper and stretched to put the ball over the goal line. For some reason it took at least five minutes to determine that he was down at the one, even though the very first replay clearly showed this. After a stumble on first down, Elliott scored on second down. The Cowboys moved back into the lead, 17-14.
Seahawks never could slow down Elliott or Cooper
Unbelievably, Carson got the ball on first down again, and was stopped on first down again. Wilson picked up five yards on a quick pass to Doug Baldwin, but missed on a deep ball to Lockett. Dickson outkicked his coverage and Tavon Austin returned the punt for 51 yards.
Amari Cooper made another big catch, or at least appeared to at first. In a universe that made sense it was clearly a catch, but this is the NFL. Pete Carroll challenged the catch, and I’m glad he did. Unfortunately, the challenge went for naught as the catch was ruled complete, a 27 yard dagger at Seattle’s heart that put the ball at the Seahawks 11 yard line.
Then came the second great play for the Seahawks, as Prescott underthrew Noah Brown. Linebacker K.J. Wright pulled off a juggling act worthy of Vegas as he made the interception in the end zone. Unfortunately nothing came of it. The Seahawks started on their own 20, but back to back penalties put the Hawks into a third and 20 situation. They picked up 13 to give Dickson breathing room on his punt. Cowboys ball at their own 37.
Two crucial pass interference calls on Seattle kept the Dallas drive alive on two third down plays. Ezekiel Elliot continued his hard running, and got the Cowboys down to the Seahawks six. Or would have, but a penalty drove them back to the Seattle 17 yard line. Prescott took off on a draw and wasn’t stopped until he reaached the one. Prescott took the ball in on the next play. Dallas 24 – 14.
Down by 10, Seattle finally threw a pass on first down. Actually, I’m pretty sure that was the second time they threw on first down. Mike Davis picked up nine yards, but was shaken up on the play. The Seahawks shook off their offensive woes on the next play as Wilson hit Tyler Lockett with a 53 yard bomb to get the ball all the way to the Dallas 13. After two incompletions, Wilson connected with J.D. McKissic for a six yard gain. He went right back to McKissic for six points at the pylon. Chris Carson walked in nearly untouched for the two point conversion. Dallas 24 Seattle 22.
The ensuing onside attempt by Dickson was unfathomable. He got way too much leg into his dropkick and sailed the ball 33 yards deep. It was clear from Pete Carroll’s reaction that a pooch kick was not the plan. With no timeouts left for Seattle, Dak Prescott simply took a knee a couple of times, and that was the ballgame.
Seattle certainly didn’t help themselves by being so predictable in their play-calling. They must have run on first and second down on a dozen series. Dallas keyed on Chris Carson all night, and he never got off the line without contact. Tyler Lockett proved he’s as good a receiver as anyone in the game, but his heroics weren’t enough. Still, I’m proud of the Hawks effort. Down by 10, they roared back and made Dallas sweat it out to the last minute. Not too bad for a team that was supposed to go 4-12. Always and forever, Go Hawks!