Divisional play is often a good indicator of a team’s prowess, especially if a team’s division is one with as much talent as the NFC West. Teams within your own division naturally know you better, as they play you twice a year, every year, giving them a more precise game plan. Not only that, but a division opponent often prepares like playoff opponents and creates a similar atmosphere.
That said, anyone who knows the Seahawks, Rams or the NFC West knew that the Rams would prove a tougher test for a red hot Seattle team than any other 6-8 team. And turns out, they have proved too tough a test for the Seahawks.
Before the game, I said that the Rams needed to hold Seattle to no more than 17 points as they don’t have an offense capable of scoring more than that, and indeed they did. As predicted, the Seahawks defense held the Rams to 17 points, but the Rams defensive unit delivered, scoring on a fumble recovery to put them over the top.
Gloating aside, the Seahawks reverted to their 2-4 version against a Rams defensive front as talented as any. As physical a game as they’ve had this season, the Rams essentially rendered the Seahawks running game useless, making Russell Wilson attempt 41 passes. When Wilson has that high a number of attempts, it’s never a good omen for victory, ‘nuff said.
No running game, four sacks given up and 13 QB hits are number reminiscent of the team’s early season struggles; but further analysis shows Wilson reverted to some of his past poor habits as well. On at least two occasions he ran into sacks when he should have hit wide-open targets underneath.
Again he looked indecisive under fire, which is a bad sign for the playoffs. To get to the Super Bowl Wilson will have to go up against either Arizona or Carolina, and neither team will consistently allow him to have a clean pocket. Definitely not as clean a one as he had during his now ended hot streak.
Compounding their struggles on offense were the stupid penalties negating big gains or stops. Whether it was Cliff Avril’s offsides error or Bruce Irvin’s dumb late hit on a sliding Case Keenum. On what would have been their biggest plays of the game, holding penalties by the offensive line brought them back.
Not to mention the two terrible snaps by Patrick Lewis, the last one costly as ever.
Overall it was a sloppy game for the offense against an opponent that will likely not be their last. It is games like these that the Seahawks will have to win against more formidable opponents if they want to lift the Lombardi trophy come February.
Photo:Flickr/Mike Morris
They played poorly and the Rams D-Line had a day. The important bounces of the ball went their way and that's it. Every team plays a stinker once in awhile. This line is much further along than they were early in the year.
I'm just happy that there weren't more concussions from their headhunters. That team is a disgrace.
True, every team does play a stinker. But a team with Super Bowl aspirations shouldn't be playing a stinker against a 6-8 team, at home, as they tune up for the playoffs. The Rams did have a great day, that is true, but expect the Cardinals or Panthers to make the Hawks one dimensional as well, and they won't have Case Keenum as their QB. That's why it's important that we learn how to win when put in that situation.
The Hawks have to have a running game if they want to make any moves in the playoffs.