Seahawks Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers felt just about as tense on Sunday as it did 10 years ago when they faced each other in Super Bowl XL. With yesterday’s win, the ‘Hawks stay alive in the 2015 playoff hunt. 

It was a penalty-filled contest (just like it was 10 years ago) and the final score, 39-30, looked wonky because of a missed Hauschka extra point (his third in two games, which is worrisome) and a handful of two-point tries.

Four words: Thank you, Doug Baldwin. The wide receiver, known by many in the city as Seattle’s most handsome Seahawk, had three touchdown catches, including one in the final three minutes to put the game out of reach. He also had 145 yards receiving. His wideout counterpart, Jermaine Kearse, also had two scores. 

The team as a whole got its passing game rolling. Quarterback Russell Wilson seemed to throw his first great TD pass of the season (really it was his ninth) and he ended the game with 13 total, throwing five on the day (Sunday was his birthday, after all). This all happened without finishing the game with star tight end Jimmy Graham, who was taken off the field in a stretcher with a right knee injury after back-to-back third down catches. He is out for the year. 

On the other side of the ball, Seattle’s passing defense continued to give up first down after first down in the middle of the field, which remains the biggest problem with the team. The ‘Hawks didn’t notch any sacks in the first half either, but their pass rush improved in the second half after, as the CBS broadcasters said, a “tongue lashing” from coach Pete Carroll. 

To start the game, the team benched former starter and perpetual sieve Cary Williams, proving the ‘Hawks saw a change was necessary. Cornerback Richard Sherman picked off his first pass of the season on a botched route from Pittsburgh, which should improve his confidence, and the Hawks’ triumvirate of rookies – Thomas Rawls, Tyler Lockett and Frank Clark – all had big days: Rawls had 81 yards and a score, Lockett had 38 yards receiving and big plays in the return game and Clark was his normal beast of a self. 

In the end, it was a huge win for the ‘Hawks, who were in danger of losing their third straight at home and losing for the sixth time with a lead in the fourth quarter. The ‘Hawks have led every game in the fourth quarter but have only a 6-5 record to show for it. For pride’s sake, the team couldn’t let the Steelers come in and win. Of all teams, Pittsburgh still might be the most loathed in the Emerald City. 

Next up? The Minnesota Vikings, a beatable team despite the fact they’re currently leading the NFC North division. The playoffs are in clear sight for the ‘Hawks and the team did a lot for its destiny by knocking off the Steelers. A fourth trip to the Super Bowl in the past ten years is still a possibility.