Seahawks vs Patriots turning point: L.J. Collier saves the win

When does a game turn on the very last play? Not very often, but when the Seahawks face the Patriots, it seems to be the rule, not the exception.

For such a conservative coach, Seahawks honcho Pete Carroll sure rolls the dice at interesting times. The gutsy call that put the game away for the Hawks in the season opener was just the latest example. That is, until Sunday’s game versus the Pats. This time, Pete almost came up snake eyes – again.

I’m pretty sure no one needs to be reminded of the other play I’m referring to – but just in case… Nah. Too painful. Let’s just say there was a certain situation against a certain team where all Seattle needed to do was run the ball, and called a pass instead. The result wasn’t as immediately disastrous in Sunday’s game, but it did put the ball into Cam Newton’s hands again. Mea culpa – Cam played a lot better than I expected. A first down on that play and the game is over. Instead, the Pats drove the ball to the Seahawks one-yard line, and – well, I’d say it’s a turning point when the defense preserves the win, right?

And who were the heroes for the Hawks on the play? Bobby Wagner, Jamal Adams, Jarran Reed? Nope; try backup safety Lano Hill, who knifed in to take out the blocker, and end L.J. Collier, who made his only tackle of the game count more than any other. Newton had already run for two scores, but the second-year man from TCU flipped the 245-pound QB like a scatback and planted him for the one-yard loss that preserved the Seattle win. You know you want to see it again:

You can listen to what Collier had to say about the play yourself from The News Tribune. Collier talks about Bobby Wagner calling the defensive play, then gives Lano Hill all the credit for blowing up the fullback. He talks about all of his teammates and his coaches; he talks about all the hard work it took to earn his place on the team, to help his team win. Yeah, sounds like he belongs on the Seahawks to me.

As for Pete rolling the dice on that third-and-one, sure, it seems like a no-brainer to hand the ball off. The Hawks running backs had totaled 115 yards on 25 carries. Wilson himself added 39 more on just five attempts. Then again, Number 3 had already thrown for five scores, connecting on 21 of 27 passes – 22, actually, but one of those popped off the receiver’s hands and turned into a pick-six. So the odds of Wilson connecting were pretty good, too.

I’m thankful that the missed opportunity wasn’t the turning point of the game. If it hadn’t been for the great play by Collier – and yes, L.J., the equally great play by Lano and the call by Bobby – this would have been a very different day for the Seahawks and the 12s. Second game or not, Collier’s play could be one of the biggest of the season.