Week 17 might have been the end of an era for the Seahawks and Pete Carroll
Seattle is likely to miss the playoffs after only needing to win their final two games to clinch a spot.
“Turn out the lights, the party's over.” The legendary tunes made famous in NFL lore by the late Dandy Don Meredith immediately came into my head as soon as Najee Harris slid just before the goal line, delivering a devastating blow to the Seattle Seahawks in a 30-23 victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In what was essentially a must-win home game for the Seattle Seahawks, turned into one of the most embarrassing performances in the Pete Carroll era. Against a 3rd string quarterback and one of the worst offenses in the NFL, the Seahawks defense, Pete Carroll’s 14th defense in Seattle, gave up 468 yards, including 202 yards rushing and a whopping 25 first downs. The Steelers held the ball for literally over a quarter of the game longer than the Seahawks. This loss was not just disgusting but was historic.
Knowing the Steelers were extremely limited and reliant on the running game, the Seahawks still couldn't stop them. The Steelers ran for 132 yards after contact, the second most given up by the Seahawks since 2009. Leaving the game, the Seahawks now boast the 24th-ranked defense in scoring, the 27th in total yards allowed, and the 29th in rushing yards allowed. These are the worst numbers for the Seahawks since 2011.
The Seattle Seahawks and Pete Carroll era could be coming to a close
It wasn't just the statistical domination, the Seahawks were absolutely punked and bullied by Mike Tomlin and (checks notes) the 27th ranked offense in football! I have never seen so many missed tackles in my life at a Seahawks game. Harris and Jaylen Warren ran around, past and through the Seattle defense for three hours in front of 70,000 fans. Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, and multiple others on the defensive side will wake up tomorrow morning with bruised chests and egos after physical ass-whooping Pittsburgh brought to Seattle.
This team played soft in Week 17 and deserves that title of shame. Seahawks fans long for the days of toughness and nastiness that guys like Kam Chancellor and Max Unger brought every week. Teams used to fear Seattle. Now, they're licking their chops.
No matter what happens next week, something needs to change.