The Seattle Seahawks appeared stuck in the definition of a trap game. The team traveled to play the feisty but unsuccessful Atlanta Falcons in Week 14, and Atlanta actually led 6-3 in the first half. At halftime, it was only 6-6. That is when Rashid Shaheed took over.
General manager John Schneider made a sneaky great move to trade for the former New Orleans Saints wide receiver, who, it was promised to 12s he was the explosive element the team needed. In the first few games he was with the team, that promise appeared to be a lie. No longer.
To start the second half, Shaheed took the kickoff and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. The run not only gave Seattle the lead but also completely changed the tenor of the game. Instead of Seattle struggling to beat a team that had no reason to be close to the Seahawks, the entire team appeared to have more energy.
Rashid Shaheed shows the Seattle Seahawks everything they wanted in Week 14
But a kickoff return was not the only positivity that the wideout would bring. He proved he could be a valuable receiver in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system, too. Shaheed finished with four catches on five targets for 67 yards, with a long of 33.
He was truly explosive and made Schneider's move the latest brilliant one by the general manager. Seattle gave up two draft picks to acquire Shaheed. At the time, compared to what other teams had gotten for a wide receiver of Shaheed's previous productivity, it seemed as if Seattle gave up too much.
That theory was not dispelled by how well the wide receiver had done before Week 14. After the Seahawks defeated the Falcons 37-9, there is little doubt that Rashid Shaheed can be a difference-maker now, and potentially when the games get even more meaningful: The playoffs.
Seattle is now 10-3, and still technically tied with the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West. LA holds the tie-break currently, but the teams meet again in Week 16 on Thursday Night Football. A victory in that game and Seattle could cement its playoff spot.
In Week 15, the Seattle Seahawks will host the Indianapolis Colts. Indy lost quarterback Daniel Jones to an Achilles tendon injury in Week 14, so Seattle should be a heavy favorite in the game. Rashid Shaheed might make certain that there is a good reason for that.