Predicting how the Seahawks can reach their ceiling in 2022
Seahawks weeks that follow Week 1
While the defense made noise, the offense was calculated and efficient. Penny would run for 104 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, while Geno Smith made enough big plays in the play-action game, to lead Seattle to a 24-6 4th quarter lead before hanging on for a 24-21 win. The Seahawks were 1-0 and the formula was clear.
While week 1 showed the way to success, the following nine weeks showed youth and inconsistency. Seattle found themselves at 4-6 and had just returned from the Munich beatdown by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they got their much-needed bye.
After the bye and heading into the final stretch of the season, the Seahawks began playing their best ball against some of the best in the NFL. A decisive victory over the playoff-bound Vegas Raiders and an overtime loss at the LA Rams showed the Seahawks were starting to bring back the memories of the talented Seahawks teams of old.
Penny was the beast, but the O-line towers of Charles Cross and Abe Lucas were looking more like pro bowlers than rookies. Noah Fant started looking like the next great tight end that he was billed to be back at Iowa. The youth on the defensive side of the ball was even more impressive.
Woolen and Bryant had evolved from rookie targets to pick on to real starting caliber cornerbacks. The pass rush duo of Darrell Taylor and Boye Mafe were young and made plenty of mistakes, but created a solid pass rush that we haven’t seen in Seattle for a few years.
Back home after pushing the Rams to the limit, the Seahawks get hot. After a beat down of the Carolina Panthers, the Seahawks and eventual NFC West champion 49ers get into a rock fight, with Geno hitting Lockett for the walk-off touchdown in overtime for a 19-13 victory.
A loss at the eventual AFC West champions Kansas City Chiefs doesn’t slow the momentum, as the Seahawks return to destroy the hapless Jets 38-14. After the season appeared to be over, the Seahawks found themselves in a do-or-die Week 18 showdown against the LA Rams.
After a difficult season wearing the crown, the Rams and Hawks do battle just like they did in 2010, the loser going home and the winner going to the playoffs. The Seahawks, having lost the last 4 meetings against the Rams, looked to turn the tide in the massive Sunday Night finale.
Down 16-6 heading to the 4th quarter, the Seahawks score two touchdowns off of a massive Kenneth Walker touchdown run from 40 yards away, and a 60-yard bomb from Smith to Metcalf for the go-ahead 20-16 score with 1 minute remaining. A sack fumble from Mafe on Matt Stafford with 20 seconds to play sealed the upset. The 9-8 Seahawks, winners of 5 of their last 7, are heading to Minnesota for the playoffs while the defending Super Bowl champs go home.