Ultra Quick Cap: Seahawks 30 - Bears 23
Hi folks, I'm just getting in. It was fun watching the game with Paul at Qwest Field. I dare say, Seattle is becoming a true-blue football town.
A couple very quick observations:
Unless shaun returns a different back, I can no longer argue for a carry share. The difference between Morris and Alexander is now as simple as the difference between an NFL caliber running back and one that should retire. This is a demonstrably better team with Maurice Morris starting. From his ability as a receiver, his superior short yardage play, his chemistry with the line, to his clearly better rushing ability, it would be a mistake to give Alexander any carries upon his return.
On the scoreboard, Seattle won by just 7, but on the field the Hawks were the clearly better team. Some big play gaffes (especially on the first Benson run where there was no backside containment), some fraidy cat kicking and a fumble that would have been overturned were it challenged kept the game artificially close. These last two weeks Seattle has looked like a contender - that's good, because the Cards aren't letting up.
Game Ball: Matt Hasselbeck/Patrick Kerney. Great game receiving for Hackett, but his 59 yard reception came after a Bears DB badly blew coverage and dropping the ball in the end zone literally cost Seattle 4 points. Beck, meanwhile is playing out of his mind. He was never phased, made all the right reads, even knew when to eat it when Bears defenders were coming untouched. Kerney also had a fantastic game, and got a good deal of his production late with the game on the line. His forced fumble put the capper on the match. This is as optimistic as I've felt since the season started. Once they get into the playoffs, this Hawks squad can definitely make some noise.
Update: Sorry folks this isn't better or more insightful, but I had a little too much fun - if you'd call it that, last night and feel pretty sick and tired right now. I just wanted to add that The Tape series will return tomorrow.
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19 comments
Comments
mini shout out to Weaver
by Matthew on Nov 18, 2007 10:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
and to josh brown
by armedpp on Nov 18, 2007 10:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I was right on in the "post your hawk"!
But god, Hasselbeck is the man carrying this team. Going to and from the game, I noticed less #8 jerseys than ever, while there are a lot of love for Branch, Tatupa, and Peterson. Seriously, with all the QB issues surrounding the league, be extremely grateful in who we have here in Seattle. Big ups to Hass!
And wow, you're right JM, Seattle is indeed a "true-blue football town." With the popularity of the M's since the mid-90s until recently, it's hard to imagine any other sports team in town to over take the M's, but I guess the 'hawks have done it.
Amazing job by the FO and the marketing people for making this the most enjoyable and most exciting sporting event in town. ;)
by wwbaker3 on Nov 18, 2007 10:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Love the title bar
by The Ancient Mariner on Nov 18, 2007 10:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Just got back from the game.
The touchdown to start the second half looked identical to the dropped game tying TD at the end of the Rams game in 2004.
Josh Brown is everything that is good in this world.
by Robert on Nov 18, 2007 11:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Seahawk/M's fans
by The Ancient Mariner on Nov 18, 2007 11:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I should have said the atmosphere at Safeco/Qwest
by Robert on Nov 18, 2007 11:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Heh
Yeah, watch the play again. Burlison comes in and just plows into Urlacher before turning back to the middle of the field. You could have easily thrown a flag on him for offensive interference.
by TIF on Nov 19, 2007 2:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
S'more stuff
Though Kerney destroyed the Bears in the 4th quarter, the rest of the game was a mix of Craig Terril, Brandon Mebane, Darryl Tapp, Rocky Bernard, and Leroy Hill making key plays at different times. Terril and Bernard just blew that 4th and 1 play up on their own, allowing Hill and Tatupu to crush the running back behind the line. Bernard and Mebane had a lot of attention from the Bears line with double teams. I didn't see Lofa or Muscly Arm do much today, but I did see them covering the tight ends a lot.
Admit it, you squirmed. First and 10 gains 9 yards. Second and 1 a rush to the left for no gain. Third and 1 a rush to the left for no gain. You thought, as I did, and as the entire Bears defense did, there would be another rush to the left. We've given Holmgren a LOT of shit about his play calling on those 4th and 1s, but everybody... and I mean EVERYBODY... ate some Play Action Pie. Hass had all day to easily lob the ball to Pollard who had a ton of empty field in front of him. It was one of those times where if Hass wasn't holding the ball to throw it, he'd have just run the opposite way with his fist in the air, knowing damn well the whole thing went off perfectly. Instead, you watched him fake the hand off, turn and look, and... well he just kind of relaxed. He was focused and tense before, thinking he'd have to get out there quickly or else!... but when he saw that everybody bit on Morris, he just kind of lobbed it easily to Pollard in that "huh, that was easy" kind of way.
Branch was out there, but I didn't see him at all after the first quarter. I'm guessing that the Seahawks wanted him out there because this was an important game, but when they figured out they could pass the ball and move at will against the Bears, they just had him take the rest of the day off to continue healing. If he was out there again the rest of the game, I never noticed him. I saw a lot of Hackett, Engram, and Burlison, and a lot of Morris and Weaver taking passes. Deion was not around after dropping the one pass directed his way.
Challenging Hackett's attempt on Hass's throwaway ball was probably dumb, but no harm done.
That's about it. The special teams kicking was strange, but whatever works I suppose.
by TIF on Nov 19, 2007 2:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Branch played after the 1st
by Scruffy Lefty on Nov 19, 2007 6:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Last but not least
Up yours dickface.
by TIF on Nov 19, 2007 3:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Kenny Mayne rules.
by Phildopip on Nov 19, 2007 7:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree 100%
Speaking of that, what happened to my beloved NFL Primetime? They do this sort of embedded thing in Sportscenter now, which sucks. I have to assume it's the NFL who made them change it? I ended up on NFL network watching their recap show (which did cover all the games)
by BrianF on Nov 19, 2007 11:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
My guess is that when NBC got the rights to Sunday
by ningwers on Nov 19, 2007 12:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I really need to review before I post...
by ningwers on Nov 19, 2007 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
NBC/NFL - Keeping it *real* (stupid)
They made a serious mistake not giving the Hawks/Bears game the chance.
I think this was one of the best played games so far this year. Much better than beating up on our struggling divisional opponents while they're down.
Don't get me wrong. It's very satisfying watching the Niners get shutout and have them lose 8 games in a row..
This game showed the Seahawks making a few mistakes early - but not for an entire half.. or even quarter.
The game was only won by 7 but the score is deceiving. They won this game convincingly.
What a treat heading into Thanksgiving weekend. Now I can enjoy watching other teams play on Thanksgiving day without thinking "Why can't the Hawks do x or x"
If they can keep this intensity and manage to put away a few more teams that they should beat on the road I think we could battle our way to the NFC Championship again.
My wife was asking me.. why would we want to go all the way this year just to face the Patriots in the Superbowl?
It's a great underdog opportunity. Plus it wouldn't bum me out nearly as bad watching the hawks get beaten by the Pats who by all accounts this year should win. If the Hawks could present a challenge though - that would be exciting too. It would be good exposure for the team if they could manage to not just hand the game to New England (like the Bills did last night)
So here is to hoping.
by fender on Nov 19, 2007 8:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
If we keep throwing
by Scruffy Lefty on Nov 19, 2007 8:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Safeties
The Bears played a LOT of single-deep safety coverage (or whatever that should be called). And the safety seemed to shade over to Branch's side of the field. I don't know how many times I saw this and said, wow, throw it to DJ. And, obviously, Beck did to great success. It appeared to me that the Bears decided to keep Branch from beating them, which is probably part of the reason why he didn't have big numbers. Having him on the field, though, opened things up for DJ.
As others have said, it was a great game. This team's fun to watch right now. Hope they keep it up.
Anyone else notice the public service announcement at Qwest just prior to the game? It was Alexander talking about, of all things, railway crossing safety. He said something to the effect that a train can't swerve to avoid obstacles like I can. Lots of people in my section, myself included, laughed at that.
T
by jeager on Nov 19, 2007 9:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

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