I'm not going to pretend that every statistic tells an entire picture. I won't sit here and tell you that just because Seattle was better in the second half of the season, that it means that they'll win twelve games next year. I am not going to make much of an argument for anything one way or the other, I'm just going to give you some numbers. How does that sound?

The Seahawks were a 7-9 team in 2011 and if "you are what your record says you are" then there's no reason to believe that Seattle was any better than their 7-9 record. Over the course of the year, for better or worse, that's what the Hawks were: a 7-9 football team.

Important personnel changes happened during the year that certainly had some effect on Seattle's final record. Aaron Curry was gone after five games and K.J. Wright had officially taken over his starting spot in the middle of the first half of 2011. Marcus Trufant similarly was gone after four games and replaced by Richard Sherman, a player that even as a 5th round rookie looked superior to the veteran.

Robert Gallery played in 12 games, Sidney Rice played in nine, Mike Williams played in 12, Paul McQuistan ended up starting 10 games at various positions. Russell Okung ended up starting 12 games and James Carpenter had 9 starts himself. All of these different movements, injuries, and ineffective play will positively or negatively effect how Seattle played during the year, and has to be taken into account when seeing that the team played poorly or well.

For example, the 6-3 loss to the Browns looks ugly and it was ugly, but was a game that was started by Charlie Whitehurst, Leon Washington, and Cameron Morrah on offense.

Still, I'm not going to wipe it from the record when I look at the massive improvements that Seattle showed in the second half of the year, improvements that conveniently began in their week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. I took just a little bit of time to break down some of the numbers from their 2-6 start and 5-3 finish and you'll see that the most significant improvement wasn't in terms of yards gained, yards allowed, or even Marshawn Lynch.

All of those things helped and one shouldn't doubt that the Hawks were carried by Lynch in several games, but the biggest difference is a familiar mantra and perhaps one that's still not emphasized enough: protecting the football.

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We ended the first quarter with Aaron Curry making a solid play on Michael Turner. Atlanta has 2nd and 8 and Seattle needs to get their defense off the field. The offense had one 1st down in less than four minutes with the ball in the first. They need a chance to gain some rhythm and give the defense a rest; the Falcons are making both tasks very difficult. Let's get to it.

Brandon Browner makes a tackle against the quick pass to make it 3rd and 2. Atari Bigby - in for the injured Kam Chancellor - makes a big play in coverage on Tony Gonzalez:

Punt, fair catch at the 11. Check out the shift - all skill players except Marshawn Lynch move - on 1st down, which looks the same as the mishap in the 1st quarter:

No snap, everyone is set, it worked. So, what play do we get?

Lynch runs for a few, plus this facemask penalty you see above - realize this actually stopped Lynch and turned him backwards, it was that blatant - for a 17 yard gain! A run right on 1st for -3 brings up 2nd, but then Brent Grimes illegally contacts Mike Williams. Kind of ticky tacky in my opinion, but it's another 1st down! Former stud-safety and now commentator John Lynch says how Tarvaris Jackson acknowledged in interviews; Mike Williams isn't a guy who will create a ton of separation and he'll have to adjust to throwing into tight windows with BMW. Hmmmmmm.

Seattle ran this next concept in a similar area of the field last week - and in the first two weeks as well - and the Falcons were all over it.

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I remember being anxious for Week 4. Seattle just held off the Cardinals 13-10 in the home opener Week 3, that win after two road losses to start the year. In came the Atlanta Falcons and their 1-2 record, disappointed with the start and looking to re-establish their identity as a ball control offense and solid defense.

To Seattle's advantage was this:

Pretty good record. But the face... what's he thinking; 'ohh, what the heck...'

'Yup.'

One of those wins came at Seattle in Week 15 of 2010. They weren't playing "Falcons' football" in 2011 and in this game the focus was getting back to that.

I went to this game with my friend Brett "Two Bills Mills" Miller - season ticket holder with me in 2006 and I enjoy going to games with him. He's a "tell it how it is" kinda guy - to the extent that if you aren't using your lights past dusk and you almost hit him, he'll run down the street and make sure you turn those lights on. It can apply to football and I like it.

I see this as relevant because we were both looking forward to this game with a similar view; this was the type of game that would show if Seattle could go 10-6ish, .500/below or 3-13ish, a great early-season litmus test. My hope was to not get blown out - as was his - because I preferred 'record purgatory' over the bottom. A win meant potentially above .500, a close loss meant teetering just below it. Consider these statements a quarter-pole assessment, if you will.

I guess retrospect gives me another wrinkle when looking at this game. I believe it's one of the early games that shows some of the holes that need to be filled during the player acquisition period coming up. We learn a bit about the roster and "scheme" limitations of the 2011 team, which helps project free agency and the draft. Plus, this was not your average game. A lot happened.

On the opening kickoff we see a different formation than usual. Instead of five across as we've seen, notice six with the two man stagger.

Touchback. On 1st down from '21,' play action to the fullback. Oh, look who it is:

Welcome back Michael Robinson! They get him involved (and physical) early off of the ankle injury, something we saw last week with Sidney Rice. Plus, I like throwing to the fullback. It's under rated sometimes. Anyway, a Lynch run leads to 3rd and 2.

Seattle in '22' versus 4-3.

Miller motions up top, snap. Jackson drives away from center hard with a 3 step drop. It sort of looks designed to be a quick throw, or a delayed sprint/rollout; hard drop, scan, slight hesitation and go. But, Lynch and Robinson are still behind the line of scrimmage...Is this some weird screen? Also, check out Golden Tate's right arm (in the third frame); his hand blends in with the yellow line a bit. Is it really almost a yard behind his body? That seems odd...

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We ended the third quarter with Seattle in 3rd and long in their own territory; here is Sidney Rice catching the ball on that final play:

He doesn't fall forward from here.

Commentator Tim Ryan has been blabbing (pretty accurately, though) for a quarter about how he said off camera he thought Seattle needed to get Jackson outside the pocket, which they did more in the 3rd, so Fox shows this:

Sometimes I put it on mute, sometimes I don't. Though, I like to acknowledge in-game stat shots like this, so often I listen around then to get some context. This whole sequence, for some reason, was kind of amusing. But really, Jackson threw well on the move, by design or not, in the 3rd.

The broadcast says Seattle thought about going for it on 4th down, but that seems like a very awkward decision - given the field position and time of game - and I don't remember seeing anything, either way. Jon Ryan punts 66 yards and Kennard Cox makes another special teams tackle (4 total this game). Arizona ball on their 14.

Remember how I began the 3rd quarter by saying this was one of my favorite Chris Clemons halves; 4th quarter Chris Clemons show commence. On the first defensive play of the quarter Clemons fights off the chip/double team and makes a beeline towards Kevin Kolb:

'On to the next one.'

They stop a tight end screen on 2nd with great pursuit by the front four. Now it's Leroy Hill time; his first 4th quarter at the CLink in a while, and it shows right away.

Kolb is pressured by Raheem Brock, Clemons is coming from the backside and Alan Branch is going to the ground...

Kolb hurdles Branch, but also wants to win the 'which QB can expose the ball more as they scramble' game. Kolb does the 'about to throw' fake and takes off...

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We ended the 2nd quarter with a Tarvaris Jackson HailMary interception and Seattle down 10-6. It's been a back and forth game, the crowd is in to it, Kam Chancellor laid the Seahawks' block of the year to this point, and the offense is a lot more explosive than it was in Pittsburgh. Seattle scored their first 1^st quarter points of the year and also held the lead for the first time.

There are some things to take note of from the first half. The Cardinals are not blitzing much (a dialed back approach) and are getting pressure with only four guys; something we saw the Steelers do last week, though the Cards are getting it done more often - the Steelers had four 4th quarter sacks, largely a product of the blitz. Given that defensive coordinator Ray Horton came from Pittsburgh's defensive staff, a similar strategy here, after it worked very well the week before, is an "oh, that kind of makes sense" thought to me. In general, Seattle needs to keep T-Jax upright. However, despite the pressure we've seen Seattle get chunks of yards on the ground and through the air. Now they just need to sustain a drive and get in the end zone. Can they break through?

On the other side of the ball; in the middle of the 2nd quarter the Cards marched down the field on their touchdown drive with the no huddle, and Seattle couldn't do much to combat it. But, now the Cards have shown their card and Seattle needs to counter. Thus far Arizona is producing somewhat methodical and consistent offense - three of five drives totaling 8 plays or more.

All in all; for the first time this year we've got a legit football came in progress heading out of halftime! Let's get to it!

The kickoff to the Cardinals brings another slew of missed tackles, but luckily Kennard Cox is there to clean up, again - he's been a major positive on special teams coverage for Seattle in this one.

Fox then enlightens us with Carroll's comments about the 1st half, via the sideline reporter; "a lot of things need to improve," in particular Tarvaris needs to get rid of the ball quicker (the other half of the keeping him upright formula) and the offense needs to improve down and distance - other than on the first drive of the game, Seattle found themselves in 2nd/3rd and long a bit too often. The run defense is the positive.

Arizona comes out and gets a quick 1st. After a Brandon Mebane/Walter Thurmond tackle for loss on the next 1st, Seattle calls a nifty little blitz.

Seattle in a six DB set versus '10.' The arrowed men (Brock on top, Clemons on bottom) are the only two that do anything "special" here; everyone on the line (including Matt McCoy and Richard Sherman) attacks. Notice on top there are three receivers and only two defenders.

Brock drops into coverage, Clemons is stunting around McCoy and Mebane into the middle. Clemons will get there, but...

Alfonso Smith runs out of the tackle, and then breaks this Earl Thomas tackle. Instead of 3rd and 13 or even 3rd and 8, it's 3rd and 6.

Don't worry, Clemons is just getting started. Seriously, this is one of my favorite halves of his. It's awesome. He pressures the throw...(after the jump)

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We ended the first quarter with the Cardinals 2nd and 2 at the Seattle 32. The Cardinals were in a shotgun one back, four receiver formation; Seattle had six DB's and four linemen. Time simply ran out and now here we are.

Um, things look really different.

The Cardinals are in '21' and Seattle is in a 4-3 with six on the line and Kam Chancellor in the box; it looks pretty close to a 6-2, the splits may be off a bit. Anyway, we went from thinking pass to thinking run, and it's effectively 8 on 8 in the box. Check Red Bryant, arrowed.

Big man gettin' down behind the line of scrimmage in this game. I think he has improved as the year has gone on, at least to right here; lets see if his solid game continues.

The Cardinals convert on 3rd down - Clemons drops into coverage and the interior pressure team (Branch, Bryant, McDonald) with Leroy Hill on the blitz can't get it done.

In case you care about some 1st quarter stats:

Solid defense puts the Cardinals back in 3rd and long. Earl Thomas does one of his 3rd down, A-Gap blitzes and they hold the Cardinals to the field goal. 10 plays, 5:07 taken off here.

The ensuing kickoff return:

Doesn't get things started quite as planned. Leon's second mishandled kick/punt return of the year. Hmm.

Then this lovely stat imposed on a close up of newly hired offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell:

That's rough, Fox. Skeeewwwwrrrppp. Change the record. It's Beastmode time, after the jump.

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You know what is great about Week 3? Seattle wins. You may have already known, but I want to remind you from the beginning that this one ends happily, for the first time this season, and get you juiced up from the start. Because, well, we're coming off Week 2. Yuck.

Coming into this one, the offense was showing little sign of life; pass protection wasn't helping an easing-into-his-role signal caller that wasn't exactly on the mark. The defense was playing okay and even stout at times, but they couldn't get the quarterback to the ground. Turnover margin mattered Week 1 (-3) and it was zero Week 2; zero turnovers forced through two games. 17 penalties through two games, eh. Missed tackles leading to big plays on special teams, notably two inside of 4 minute left return touchdowns in Week 1, we're an issue. You could say youth and/or discontinuity appeared to be a factor in all of this, not to mention the offense was yet to have all of its pieces.

Seattle was welcoming the 12^th man for the first time this year, and a loss would not be welcomed. The fans were ready to hound the new starting quarterback, and this team needed something good to happen. This was a game Seattle could win. They needed some home cookin', and they knew it.

It's worth acknowledging that I actually went to 7 of 8 games at the CLink; the second year of my life with tickets (the other was 2006). It was pretty cool and insightful at times. If I remember something I'll mention it, but I'm not trying to go overboard with "I remember this happened" moments unless it's pertinent. Anyway, the Cards were 1-1, coming off of a 1 point road loss at Washington. Back to Week 3.

On the opening kick Paul McQuistan looked juiced for his first start since 2007 (Robert Gallery was recovering from surgery) and made a strong block; Lemuel Jeanpierre got leveled.

Seattle ball at their 23, they come out in '12' with Zach Miller and Anthony McCoy both right. Jackson takes a seven step drop scanning the right side of the field. He has the two tight ends and Sidney Rice - he started!!! - out there. Guess where the ball is going...

Right away, it happens; the whole prior chemistry with Rice thing comes into play on the first play of the game. Well look at that. On 2nd and 1, Mike Williams lines up on the bottom and Jackson misses him high and behind on a quick slant. So now 3rd and 1; opening play scripts have been a conversation point in both games this season and this intrigued me.

Check the formation:

An extra lineman (Breno Giacomini) right, with Zach Miller and fullback Eddie Williams - Mike Rob out since the 1st quarter of Week 1 - also in the game. They run a fullback dive away from all of the underlined defenders - note the circled safety well outside the box - and get the 1.

On the next 3rd and 1 comes another six offensive lineman set with Giacomini right again, but this time Miller is up top creating the seven man line (also, the receiver is tight):

Cardinals' timeout leads to this formation again and a Lynch run for eight, sprung by good blocking by Miller, the left side of the line and Eddie Williams. Back to the intrigue; did Seattle mix in these heavy sets thinking that either one of these calls would catch the defense off guard; or that they may find themselves in need of a heavy set on 3rd and short - planning to get certain yardage with their calls on 1st and 2nd, short passes or runs to this point - to sustain a drive? We know heavy sets are a part of the game plan through two weeks, so maybe I'm looking too much into things? Anyway, ball moving.

Then it begins to rain.

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The third quarter ended with Marcus Trufant and Kam Chancellor colliding as Chancellor went up for an interception attempt, on a play that didn't count due to offsetting penalties. The Steelers won the 3rd quarter 7-0 and have the ball in field goal range. How is Pete feelin' right about now?

Yeah...

So, another 2^nd and 29 turns into 3^rd and 29. I like Brandon Browner, but he's had a really rough game. However, he does something good to start the 4th!

Another hogtie type tackle. Gotta love the fight Browner gives when trying to get opposing ball carriers to the ground.

Seattle could have rolled over after the 3^rd and 9 bomb late in the third, but they didn't. Also, the penalty earlier on the drive that set up the 2nd and long helped. The Steelers got chunks of yards at will in this game; four plays of 20 yards or longer and 10 of 15 or more. Seattle allowed two of those plays, including the longest, on this one drive and held them to a 41 yard field goal attempt, which was no good. Seattle's defense started this one strong, and they showed some fight later in the game.

Seattle ball. T-Jax snaps under center and sprints right, then we have a Kris Durham sighting. His first catch!

Eight yards, but we have a three and out. Steelers get the ball on their 11. Seattle blitzes six on 3^rd and 5 and we have another punt. Seattle's ball on their 36.

An already lopsided game is entering a lull. We haven't seen the Steelers blitz much in this game; to this point, Seattle's pass protection has held up better than it did in Week 1. So what happens when Pittsburgh is up 24 with 11 to go, at home and pitching a shutout?

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