The end truly justified the means for the Seattle Seahawks ( 10-4) who bolted to a 13-3 halftime lead then hung on for a 20-5 win over the Washington Football Team (6-8) Sunday afternoon in Landover Maryland. The win put the Seahawks back in the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years.
EFFICIENT FIRST HALF
The Seahawks defense played a near-flawless first half. The only blemish was giving up a 48 yd field just before the half. Shaquill Griffin picked off Dwayne Haskins and Jamal Adams had another sack bringing his season total to 9.5. The Seahawks offense did its part. Quarterback Russell Wilson led an efficient first half. Wilson was 11 of 16 for 71 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was an impressive 10-yard laser beam shot to Jacob Hollister in the second quarter. Chris Carson had 10 rushes for 42 yards. Except for the DJ Dallas leg injury, the Seahawks went into the halftime break with swagger and rhythm.
GOOD START TO SECOND HALF
The Seahawks offense picked up where it left in the first half and scored on its opening drive of the half. A nifty 4 play 75-yard drive that was capped by a 50 yard run by running back Carlos Hyde for what looked like a comfortable 20-3 lead. A DJ Reed interception of a Dwayne Haskins pass on Washington’s next possession had Seahawks fans thinking it was going to be a replay of the last week’s New Yor Jets blow out win.
WASHINGTON ADJUSTMENTS
Credit the Washington coaching staff for making adjustments on both sides of the ball to get back in the game. On defense, Washington went to a five-man front forcing the Seahawks to have to abandon the run and look to the passing game. Washington’s front five gave the Seahawks Oline fits. The Seahawk’s next four offensive possessions were three punts and a Wilson interception.
On offense, Washington attacked the belly of the Seahawks defense with short crossing routes between the linebackers and defensive backs. Washington climbed back into the game with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Seahawks made a defensive adjustment of their own bring more pressure during Washington’s potential game-winning drive. Haskins drove his team to the Seahawks 23 with 1:18 left in the game. An incomplete pass and two consecutive sacks by L.J Collier and Carlos Dunlap made it 4th and 24. Haskin’s incomplete pass secured the victory and another playoff berth for the Seahawks.
BIG TAKE AWAY
The Seahawks are publicly taking the high rough and rightfully so. Washington is a team on the rise with talent on the defensive line. They were depleted at the linebacker position and the Seahawks were able to exploit the deficiency for a while. The internal questions for the Seahawks will be what happened to the offense in the second half? Three punts and an interception is not a good look for a playoff-bound team. There was a lack of creativity in the second half.
The special team’s units were a good look and so were the Seahawks’ defensive adjustments although it was almost too late. The Seahawks defense will be boosted by the return of Tre Flowers and most like Quinton Dunbar this week.
Discover more from Cascadiasports.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
