Enemy Reaction: The best of 2016-17

The 2017 NFL season kicks off in a matter of hours, as the Kansas City Chiefs play the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. We’ll be seeing the Seattle Seahawks in action on Sunday, as they take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The 2016 Seahawks comfortably won the NFC West but it was a season marred by injuries to key players, starting with Russell Wilson’s ankle problem on opening day. Two weeks later, he hurt his knee. By October, he’d hurt his shoulder. Somehow he didn’t miss any starts, but it was not a strong year by his standards. The loss of Earl Thomas in December broke the Seahawks defense whenever they had to play an even half-decent offense, never mind a juggernaut like the Falcons. Lest we forget that C.J. Prosise, Thomas Rawls, Michael Bennett, Kam Chancellor, DeShawn Shead, and Tyler Lockett were also among the lengthy list of Seahawks who missed time, with Shead’s torn ACL putting him out for the first six games of this season. Here’s to a much healthier team in the new year.

Let's look back at the best moments from 2016 in the now-tranditional Enemy Reaction season recap. For those of you new to the site, Enemy Reaction is centered around gamethread reactions from both Field Gulls and the opposition's SB Nation blog. I've included GIFs for your viewing pleasure for all 11 wins (10 regular season, 1 postseason). I’m even highlighting the tie to Arizona and the season-ending loss to Atlanta.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show (except for the last GIF).

#1 (vs. Miami) - Kenny Stills spills

Late-game heroics from Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin

#2 (vs. 49ers) - Doug Baldwin’s Catch of the Year

#3 (vs. Jets) - All hail Tanner McEvoy!

#4 (vs. Falcons) - Earl Thomas comes through in crunch time

No flag, no win for Atlanta

Tie (vs. Cardinals) - Kickers, man...

#5 (vs. Bills) - Jimmy Graham!!!

#6 (vs. Patriots) - Doug Baldwin’s hat trick

I guess you should’ve run it at the 1 yard line, Bill

#7 (vs. Eagles) - C.J Prosise’s first career touchdown

Doug Baldwin is an elite quarterback

#8 (vs. Panthers) - What are you doing, Carolina?!

Oh hi, Tyler Lockett

#9 (vs. Rams) - Doug Baldwin breaks Troy Hill’s ankles, shatters his ego, steals his soul

#10 (vs. 49ers) - Jimmy Graham was once a basketball player

#11 (vs. Lions) - Preacharound

Butt catch!

L (vs. Falcons) - Downfall

Video of the Year - Cut Nelson Agholor NOW! (from Eagles vs. Seahawks) - TheArchFiend

I’m looking forward to another fantastic year of Seahawks football, hopefully culminating in a Super Bowl victory in Minneapolis on February 4th, 2018. The more wins the Seahawks rack up, the more you’ll be seeing Enemy Reaction on the Field Gulls front page. It’s like a double win, in some respects.

Go 'Hawks!