1. Russell Wilson is more than just a facilitator
For most of Seattle’s first five games, the Seahawks offensive plan was to run the ball as often as possible and hope that, along with a staunch defense and good special teams play, was enough for a win.
On Sunday, however, the Seahawks were in need of a passing game because the Patriots were able to slow the running game, and also because Seattle was down two scores late in the game. Wilson responded with two scoring drives in the fourth quarter, and finished with 293 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
And to think, we were all talking quarterback controversy two weeks ago.
“I guarantee you now everybody’s on the bandwagon,” said safety Earl Thomas. “Like I’ve always said from the start, he’s special. The way he prepares, I expect that out of him because he prepares. He prepares like a winner and he led us.”
2. Seattle’s defense stepped up when it needed to
Yeah, the Seahawks did give up 23 points and 475 yards, which were both season highs, but when the Seahawks were trailing and needed some stops, they got them. The Patriots punted on their opening possession, then did not punt again until the fourth quarter. But after Seattle made it a one-score game, the defense forced the Patriots to punt on back to back possessions, giving Wilson the chance to lead the comeback, then defense stopped the Patriots on their final possession when Tom Brady was attempting to lead a comeback of his own.
“They’re a great offense, so they’re going to get catches, they’re going to get some gains, but we just wanted to stuff them, we wanted to stand up in the red zone and that’s what we did,” said cornerback Richard Sherman. “Everybody did their part. There was Kam, there was Earl, there was me, there was BB, there was Wags, everybody had their hand in it. The pass rush was getting pressure on him. That’s how it happens.”
Interceptions by Sherman and Earl Thomas in the second half, as well as those late-game stops, were part of a strong defensive effort that held the Patriots to just six points in the second half.
3. Seahawks games are not going to be boring this season
Seattle has played six games this year. Five of those games came down to the wire, with Seattle coming out on top three times (Sunday, last week in Carolina and three weeks ago against Green Bay) and twice they lost when drives came up short in Arizona and St. Louis.
The hope in the Seahawks locker room is that the experience in games like this will pay off down the road.
“It’s what we needed,” said fullback Michael Robinson. “Having these close games, I tell our guys all the time that these close games will benefit us later on in the season. We’re learning how to win. Even when we lose, we’re learning how to win.”
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