Unless our Hawks go all Buster Keaton on us, our D will be goobling up the "Moon's" QB (grilled green cheese sandwich?). I expect Charb and K9 to run amuck all over the Moon's...it's going to be down and Outz for the Moon's! Perfect time to start bringing that run game. GO HAWKS!
I feel confident that the Seahawks will hold a halftime lead in this one similar to their last several games. I am eager to see if they handle a second half lead better than past weeks. They must learn how to run the ball with a lead if they want to win January games.
I’d like to see one, well-executed trick play this week.
I play in a Samba group. Most of the players don’t have musical backgrounds. They don’t know the art of practicing or the level of perfection required by, say, a classical pianist.
Sometimes we try something new. We get it wrong four times in a row. On the fifth try, we get it almost right. And then someone says, “Okay, we’ve got it.” But if we repeat what we practiced at our next performance, we have an 80% chance of screwing up. What if that new part includes a solo by a player who never solos? They’ll get nervous. Make it a 5% chance of success.
I think that’s the case with our trick plays. They do something weird with the spotlight on a guy in an uncomfortable role. They practice it briefly and quickly say, “We got it.” But they don’t. Not deep down.
The team needs to learn the art of practicing the trick play. It’s a skill. It can pay dividends. They’ve been bad at it. But it doesn’t mean that they should give up on the concept.
The week that we are multiple scores down in the second half, we want that well-rehearsed trick play in our back pocket. Instant TD. Get back in the hunt, immediately. Get a stop. Then have Sam and JSN win the game.
The pitch back to Milroe? That was a risky play to a cold player with nerves. The Coop pass? They hadn’t rehearsed the contingency for the receiver being covered.
Let’s see this team develop its trick play chops and make it a reliable weapon.
Ok, maybe I'm wrong. The yards I quoted are the positive pass yards for Daniels. It goes below 230 because his sacks give him negative yards. The net yards are below 230 but they did have passes completed over 230.
What I’d really like to see against the Moons, (besides seeing the walking wounded back on the field) is a turnover free game and single digit penalties called against us. We can’t expect to win games if we have multiple turnovers regularly and 12 penalties. Get back to ball control, error free play. With the defensive backfield fully healthy, disguised pass pressures and pass coverages, this defense should be holding teams to fewer than 15 points. One TD scored by the Texans was 100% on the offense. In other games, turnovers led to opponents already in scoring position at the start of the drive. Take out the anomaly of the Bucs game and the points opponents have scored due to turnovers, this defense is killing it. We don’t need an offense to play like they need to take risks and score on every drive. Get a first down or two, use Dickson and special teams, play some dives for field position rather than pushing it. Rely on the defense that led the league in three and outs last year. The scores will come. More than enough of them, and we won’t be giving teams a short field to get them back into a game they have no business still being in with a chance to win.
That’s my prescription for finishing the season 10-0, instead of 9-1. ;)
To me, this coming game is about whether they can play Daniels. If they do, and he can move, this is a trap game. If they don't, and the Hawks don't completely crap the bed, it's a win.
The bit about snaps under center, though interesting, just won't matter.
That’s my thinking too. Trap game. Their losing streak vs our on the road winning streak. I’m superstitious in that way. Seeing McLaurin out again so some “good” there. But Ertz can hurt the Hawks.
I really enjoy your articles Ken, well written and informative. But I might like even more is your use of video captions to enhance a point… “You shall not past” might become my favorite! Thanks
"...come back down to Moon." Take 1000 pts for that, and you probably deserve more.
Offenses and defenses need to always evolve and change. Week to week, year to year, era to era. Most coaches are too smart to simply trot out the same stuff, and expect it to keep working. Philosophically things should remain the same, or similar. Tactics can and will change. Adapt or die, or whatever the phrase is.
I'm not concerned about any remaining game on the schedule. I'm not saying we'll win every game, I'm just confident that we could beat each of those teams. Execute at a reasonably high level, and there is every reason to believe we win. Maybe even win bigly. Blowouts are so fun. We need more of them. I'm very pro-blowout.
Bobby Wagner has only a fraction of the explosiveness he used to have. He still has that brain, so he can cheat more than most. But he can get outflanked now, where that was near impossible back in the day.
Not only evolve week to week but 2nd half vs 1st half — in fact that’s my personal “good coaching staff” metric: who ajusts best after the halftime break and can get quality execution of the revised game plan. McVay and Andy Reid have always been my benchmarks for this.
Yes, as far fetched as it seems, even the Jets can win. Moreover, they can come back from a double-digit deficit in the 4th quarter, which I didn't think was even allowed with them. I thought that would violate some team policy or something.
Having the owner shit talk their own QB probably is about as dysfunctional as it gets.
I love the Moons! I love NoE! I love crazy some what ridiculous nicknames. Frankly we need more of them.
In the real world my nickname is Coyote. Why? Because my surname is almost but not quite Wiley, and Wiley E. Coyote is famous (this leap in logic is as bad as the Moons). Ridiculous nicknames. Share your own ludicrous nicknames SSJers!
I'm not getting ahead of my skis here. A LOT of people are already crowing about how great Seattle can be. CAN is the operative word in that sentence. Mahomes was under a lot of pressure last night, and I think Washington's D-line is solid. I think their secondary isn't, and that just got weaker, losing a safety. B-Wags (mad respect) is great against the run, still, but scheming him into the secondary is what KC exploited perfectly. Seattle will have to do that; use tight ends and fullbacks, both in run looks and beyond...
And I certainly hope their defense is finally at full strength.
What do I fear? Getting cute and stupidity. Darnold has to eat the ball and live for another day when under duress. He's very good at dirting it, but he has to see that situation. He threw into coverage late against Houston and it cost him. I love his ability to hit back shoulder on the sidelines, and he throws a great post, but he can get scary thinking he can hit a guy in stride down the middle of the field into double coverage. He's often just a tick late with those balls and it's hazardous.
SHOULD Seattle win? Yes, they should. They're a better-coached team, with (on some of the field) better talent. But to be great requires actually winning the games you should. That's a "next-step" you want to see this team take. Win the next three and you start to talk about winning the division. That'd be great. They should even be capable of that. But it's going to mean playing much more error-free.
I’m interested to see how Seattle comes back from the extended break — bc Moons are only getting 6 days rest. We should be healthier and more spring in our step, hopefully a physical aggressive start to the game
Kind of funny, but I read your comment at least twice before I realized you said "'Skins" and I should be horribly offended. Sigh, the world is a funny place.
Turned Daniels to Kapernick. That was funny. And I really hope not. I like Daniels.
Loved the pics today...the old guy playing flag to show Stafford lol, shall not pass! Golden. Kliff kings story title was great too...I was dying.
Unless our Hawks go all Buster Keaton on us, our D will be goobling up the "Moon's" QB (grilled green cheese sandwich?). I expect Charb and K9 to run amuck all over the Moon's...it's going to be down and Outz for the Moon's! Perfect time to start bringing that run game. GO HAWKS!
I feel confident that the Seahawks will hold a halftime lead in this one similar to their last several games. I am eager to see if they handle a second half lead better than past weeks. They must learn how to run the ball with a lead if they want to win January games.
I’d like to see one, well-executed trick play this week.
I play in a Samba group. Most of the players don’t have musical backgrounds. They don’t know the art of practicing or the level of perfection required by, say, a classical pianist.
Sometimes we try something new. We get it wrong four times in a row. On the fifth try, we get it almost right. And then someone says, “Okay, we’ve got it.” But if we repeat what we practiced at our next performance, we have an 80% chance of screwing up. What if that new part includes a solo by a player who never solos? They’ll get nervous. Make it a 5% chance of success.
I think that’s the case with our trick plays. They do something weird with the spotlight on a guy in an uncomfortable role. They practice it briefly and quickly say, “We got it.” But they don’t. Not deep down.
The team needs to learn the art of practicing the trick play. It’s a skill. It can pay dividends. They’ve been bad at it. But it doesn’t mean that they should give up on the concept.
The week that we are multiple scores down in the second half, we want that well-rehearsed trick play in our back pocket. Instant TD. Get back in the hunt, immediately. Get a stop. Then have Sam and JSN win the game.
The pitch back to Milroe? That was a risky play to a cold player with nerves. The Coop pass? They hadn’t rehearsed the contingency for the receiver being covered.
Let’s see this team develop its trick play chops and make it a reliable weapon.
Yeah like run I formation with Ouzts lead blocker “trick play”?
Yes, for Gen Z players, this is a trick play.
For Paul Brown, everything else in 2025 is a trick play.
Thinking back to the PC years ago, I remember a bunch of successful trick plays and almost no botches. This year, I only remember botches. 🤬
lol.
I think you need to check your stats SSJ. On 9-7 against NY they had 233 yds and on 10-5 against LAC they had 231 yds.
Ok, maybe I'm wrong. The yards I quoted are the positive pass yards for Daniels. It goes below 230 because his sacks give him negative yards. The net yards are below 230 but they did have passes completed over 230.
What I’d really like to see against the Moons, (besides seeing the walking wounded back on the field) is a turnover free game and single digit penalties called against us. We can’t expect to win games if we have multiple turnovers regularly and 12 penalties. Get back to ball control, error free play. With the defensive backfield fully healthy, disguised pass pressures and pass coverages, this defense should be holding teams to fewer than 15 points. One TD scored by the Texans was 100% on the offense. In other games, turnovers led to opponents already in scoring position at the start of the drive. Take out the anomaly of the Bucs game and the points opponents have scored due to turnovers, this defense is killing it. We don’t need an offense to play like they need to take risks and score on every drive. Get a first down or two, use Dickson and special teams, play some dives for field position rather than pushing it. Rely on the defense that led the league in three and outs last year. The scores will come. More than enough of them, and we won’t be giving teams a short field to get them back into a game they have no business still being in with a chance to win.
That’s my prescription for finishing the season 10-0, instead of 9-1. ;)
To me, this coming game is about whether they can play Daniels. If they do, and he can move, this is a trap game. If they don't, and the Hawks don't completely crap the bed, it's a win.
The bit about snaps under center, though interesting, just won't matter.
That’s my thinking too. Trap game. Their losing streak vs our on the road winning streak. I’m superstitious in that way. Seeing McLaurin out again so some “good” there. But Ertz can hurt the Hawks.
I really enjoy your articles Ken, well written and informative. But I might like even more is your use of video captions to enhance a point… “You shall not past” might become my favorite! Thanks
"...come back down to Moon." Take 1000 pts for that, and you probably deserve more.
Offenses and defenses need to always evolve and change. Week to week, year to year, era to era. Most coaches are too smart to simply trot out the same stuff, and expect it to keep working. Philosophically things should remain the same, or similar. Tactics can and will change. Adapt or die, or whatever the phrase is.
I'm not concerned about any remaining game on the schedule. I'm not saying we'll win every game, I'm just confident that we could beat each of those teams. Execute at a reasonably high level, and there is every reason to believe we win. Maybe even win bigly. Blowouts are so fun. We need more of them. I'm very pro-blowout.
Bobby Wagner has only a fraction of the explosiveness he used to have. He still has that brain, so he can cheat more than most. But he can get outflanked now, where that was near impossible back in the day.
Not only evolve week to week but 2nd half vs 1st half — in fact that’s my personal “good coaching staff” metric: who ajusts best after the halftime break and can get quality execution of the revised game plan. McVay and Andy Reid have always been my benchmarks for this.
It’s the NFL. Even the Jets can win.
Yes, as far fetched as it seems, even the Jets can win. Moreover, they can come back from a double-digit deficit in the 4th quarter, which I didn't think was even allowed with them. I thought that would violate some team policy or something.
Having the owner shit talk their own QB probably is about as dysfunctional as it gets.
I love the Moons! I love NoE! I love crazy some what ridiculous nicknames. Frankly we need more of them.
In the real world my nickname is Coyote. Why? Because my surname is almost but not quite Wiley, and Wiley E. Coyote is famous (this leap in logic is as bad as the Moons). Ridiculous nicknames. Share your own ludicrous nicknames SSJers!
Redskins is a better name. But Moons second.
I'm not getting ahead of my skis here. A LOT of people are already crowing about how great Seattle can be. CAN is the operative word in that sentence. Mahomes was under a lot of pressure last night, and I think Washington's D-line is solid. I think their secondary isn't, and that just got weaker, losing a safety. B-Wags (mad respect) is great against the run, still, but scheming him into the secondary is what KC exploited perfectly. Seattle will have to do that; use tight ends and fullbacks, both in run looks and beyond...
And I certainly hope their defense is finally at full strength.
What do I fear? Getting cute and stupidity. Darnold has to eat the ball and live for another day when under duress. He's very good at dirting it, but he has to see that situation. He threw into coverage late against Houston and it cost him. I love his ability to hit back shoulder on the sidelines, and he throws a great post, but he can get scary thinking he can hit a guy in stride down the middle of the field into double coverage. He's often just a tick late with those balls and it's hazardous.
SHOULD Seattle win? Yes, they should. They're a better-coached team, with (on some of the field) better talent. But to be great requires actually winning the games you should. That's a "next-step" you want to see this team take. Win the next three and you start to talk about winning the division. That'd be great. They should even be capable of that. But it's going to mean playing much more error-free.
I’m interested to see how Seattle comes back from the extended break — bc Moons are only getting 6 days rest. We should be healthier and more spring in our step, hopefully a physical aggressive start to the game
I said this list last night, and I haven't changed my mind: I don't think Washington can score against the Seahawks.
And FWIW, I kind of liked the WFT name they used a couple of years ago.
WFT was the best NFL team name for a brief period. RIP.
I saw a sweatshirt that said “Football Team” (nothing else) in previous ‘Skins colors at the airport last week - fun reminder, I agree Ray!
Kind of funny, but I read your comment at least twice before I realized you said "'Skins" and I should be horribly offended. Sigh, the world is a funny place.