The Seattle Seahawks won their fifth NFC Division title under Pete Carroll and 11 overall. The win over the Rams snapped a two game losing streak to the Rams. The win over the Rams was truly satisfying for the Seahawks. It was the Seahawks second win over the Rams in the last seven games All that does matter to the Seahawks who are celebrating a truly special division championship.
HERE ARE SOME QUICK OBSERVATIONS
AT TOUGH DEFENSIVE FIRST HALF
The two defenses came to play. Going into the game the Rams had the number 1 overall ranked defense and no. 2 against the run. The Seahawks were number 32 overall but no.2 against the run. The result was a defensive slugfest that ended with a 6-6 tie. The Rams had 178 total yards compared to the Seahawks 113. Both teams had an identical 53 yards rushing. The passing numbers were just as dismal. The Rams Jared Goff was 15 of 26 for 12 5 yards and one interception. Russell Wilson was 10 of 19 for 39 yards. The longest pass completion for Seattle was 17-yard pass play DK Metcalf.
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE CAN VARY ITS ATTACKING TEMPO
The Seahawks offense has matured and grown from the early season struggles by the offense line and quarterback Russell Wilson. Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s play-calling has also evolved. Coming out the halftime break the Seahawks offense went up-tempo. Plays were called quicker and Wilson was moved around the pocket to avoid the Rams vaunted pass rush. In addition to getting to the line quicker and get the ball out of Wilson’s had with quickness, Schottenheimer stayed committed to the run.
The Rams defense was unable to keep up with the Seahawk’s strategic change. The change in the attacking style resulted in a 7 play 70-yard drive touchdown drive that took up 4:28 seconds and ended with a Wilson four-yard run. The Seahawks took a 13-6 lead. A Rams field narrowed the lead to 13-9 in the fourth quarter and once again the Seahawks offense handled its business. A nine play 80-yard drive that ended with a Wilson to Jacob Hollister 13 yard TD pass took 4:29 of the clock and clinched the game and NFC Division title.
THE SEAHAWKS DEFENSE CAN PLAY IS AS GOOD AS ANY IN THE NFL
After the Seahawks score to begin the second half the Rams looked like they were going to answer when they broached the Seahawks red one. Rams running back Darrell Henderson was on his way to score when Jamal Adams clipped at the Seattle two yards. Henderson was injured on the play. He and the Rams offense never recovered from the play. The Seahawks defense snuffed the Rams on 4th and one from the one-yard line and gave the ball back to the offense.
TRENDING DEFENSE
With the offense in synch the Seahawks defense gave up an early fourth-quarter field and that is as close as the Rams offense would get to the Seahawks endzone. The Seahawks defense has come a long way since the week 9loss to the Bills when it was ranked last in total defense. Quandre Diggs recorded his fifth interception of the season. DE Jarran Reed recorded two sacks and Alton Robinson added a third. Over the past seven games the Seahawks defense has recorded 24 sacks and, in that span, has been ranked third in total defense giving up 302.1 yards a game.
BIG TAKE -AWAY
The Seahawks have what it takes to be an exceptional defense. Belief in each other and continuity. The Seahawk’s most talented defensive playmakers have been healthy and are no familiar with each other.
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