It's official, Philip RIvers will start tomorrow. Though he is not the Philip RIvers of yesterday and he could potentially be terrible, I think I am going to enjoy seeing a true legend play once more.
Good luck to the Hawks and good luck to Philip Rivers for the remainder of the year.
The 2025 NFL regular season is in it's final quarter with four games remaining, oh how time flies. These four games are going to define the 2025 Seahawks. This week the Colts come to Seattle with the intention of tripping their opponent. The 12's will witness a dominant victory as the Colts will trudge off the field with their heads down and tails tucked between their legs.
I'm confident in the Seahawks but not arrogant. They could go 4-0. They could go 2-2 in the next 4. This game is funny. The balls shaped funny. The Seahawks SHOULD win at least 2 more games, and be no worst than 12-5 which will get them to the dance, where they can play with anyone. They COULD go 4-0 and be 14-3, which would be amazing, and get effectively a bye week before playing at home. I'm ok either way.
I realize everyone has read the post and since it has been up, most of the comments have been made and read, so who knows who will read this and get the benefit of this insight but here goes.
If there are any nervous nellies out there, well, don't be. This game can very, very easily be like the last two.
For the first 8 games of the season, Indy was the top scoring team in the league. They averaged 33.8 points. The lowest scoring game was the Rams who held them to 20 points. The next fewest points was 29. The other 6 games they went over 30 four time and over 40 twice. Truly a scoring machine. But wait. Were their games encounters where they just staying ahead of the other team? Not quite. While they were averaging 33.8 points on offense, the defense was holding their opponents to 19.25 points. Their average margin of victory was 14.5 points. Look familiar? This was all with their new wonder boy QB, Danny Jones.
Then something happened. The wheels fell off the whatever.
They lost 4 of the next 5. Three of the losses were to the Steelers, Texans and Jags. Have you heard of them? The offense went from 33.8 points to 21.2. The defense went from 19.25 to 26.2. Compared to where they were, they are getting close to train wreck territory.
Now Danny Dimes is on a long term break. And they brought in GrandPa QB to rescue the organization. Something happened to this team about game 8 or 9. Maybe if they were playing the game in Indy in the dome, maybe, maybe Phil could help. This is a dome team playing an outdoor game. And not just any outdoor game. They may have to build an ark to play the game in. Phil played his career in sunny southern CAL and in the dome. I don't think he will be ready for anything that hits him in Seattle.
I know the Seahawks have an indoor practice area but I hope they are spending some time outside to get ready for the game. Then again they may have to postpone the game if Seattle gets washed away.
That's enough enlightenment for one post. Who knows, I may get some more inspiration after tomorrows newsletter. Right now I am close to AI treatment.
Big Cat was the guest of honor on Cam Jordan's podcast, aired 2 days ago. I had not seen Leo in this kind of a setting previously and really enjoyed the chit-chat from 2 fellows who seem to be great human beings.
Interesting stat from Boyle at Seahawks.com that didn’t even think of “The Seahawks have gotten at least half a sack out of 17 different players this season, yet there's no dominant pass rusher with a double-digit total”. Not sure how that translates, but to me that’s depth.
To me, this means that you have a bunch of hardworking players whose talents are maximized by very savvy coaches who are scheming blitz and pressure packages. That we haven't had some big personality throw a fit about the lack of individual accolades seems to underscore the claim that this team is connected and it helps support the eye test of how much they seem to celebrate each other's successes.
Our coaches deserve so much credit as does our general manager and scouting staff for identifying players who can thrive in such an environment
The Hawks defenders have a lot of pride in the level of their play. They believe they are elite caliber. We know that because various players have spoken about that.
Can you imagine if Philip Rivers starts and has any success against the defense? I think the defense is going to bring a little extra this game.
Like Neo, I’m beginning to believe. I liked the Dugar article on the athletic this week, and the teams mantra of mission over BS. This group is dialed in. While they have had some convincing wins, they have achieved them in different ways and it hasn’t been smooth sailing throughout. The ability to win games in different ways, and adapt when the game doesn’t go to script will be important when you play good teams who take away what you do best.
All of my voting revolves around beating the rams. Forget the math. We have to win that game to earn the #1 spot and feel good about it.
Even if you're technically #1, if you lose twice to #2, then you're not really #1. Unless you then win game #3 and earn the right to call yourself #1 again. MATH!
The heck of it is, though, if the 49ers' keep winning, they could be in line for the #1 slot and the 'Hawks would need to win that game too. Very exciting end-of-season schedule!!
At the start of the year I put a $20 bet on the hawks to win the division paying 7.00. Now they’re at 2.90 (Rams are at 1.60 favourites) .
I wasn’t confident they’d definitely be in it then, but I was hopeful. I actually still feel the same way, but maybe with a little extra dose of hope coz we’re so close.
I’m trying to feel conservative so I don’t get too disappointed if it doesn’t happen. It’s getting harder to do that though. The excitement is building. I can feel it.
Darnold came off a strong season in 2024, had a full offseason, has been on the MVP cusp, and has thrown JSN to the top of the league.
Rashid Shaheed is one of the fastest in the league, played under the Seahawks OC last year, and both he and Darnold are healthy.
Yet it took a month of playing together to even give a taste of being on the same page.
With that context, why would an older QB with no NFL experience for five years have any success after one week of practice?
Most experts feel that he will play. I think it’s a media story and an attempt to distract the Seahawks defensive planning. (They also needed another backup QB immediately.) MM often talks about doing things that distract a coordinator from planning for things that will actually happen on the field.
Rivers simply doesn’t have enough time to synchronize timing routes, let alone to decode the Seahawks defense. And he’s not going to be able to run around and improvise. The Colts would have been better off signing Russ.
Several reasons actually. First he’s been with these coaches and uses this offense as a HS coach. So play calls aren’t an issue. Not counting a couple injuries, Indy OLine decent. They are heavy running team. And Rivers doesn’t have the arm he once had but gets rid of the ball quickly. Seahawks stink against TEs and Colts have one of the best. Rivers is clearly a high level football IQ QB. Now that’s not enough to win. Cousins, while not 5 years away, had 370 yards last night. If Rivers still has his release then he can hit those quick shots. But as Danny ONeil said, it’s just not right to put him out there with hitters like DLaw, Nick, JReed, Murphy and Big Cat. Hope he has extra padding.
Even the quick, short passes can be dangerous for the Colts. Is the timing synchronized? If not, he could be passing to air with a defender in the background. Or hitting guys in the back, if it’s early. Or leading guys into a hard hit, if late.
Yeah, TEs can get wins, just as they could against the LOB, but probably not like the 108F Antonio Gates game. Without a deep threat, it should be relatively straightforward for the Seahawks to clog the short routes while being ready for the run.
The key to the game? Tackling. The team needs to keep short plays from turning into long gains.
Yep and as I said it likely and shouldn’t matter. But it’s not unrealistic that he can play. Brady noted that he still could play. Considering how poor some of the “kids” are (Rivers is old enough to be playing with his son) seeing Cousins or Rivers or Rodgers, not for the Hawks but still can play. Also a sad state of affairs for the most crucial position in all of team sports.
Our DL has been really good at getting the QB down without roughing. Sometimes it’s like, “You are down, sir. Have a nice day.” But hits come fast. Anything can happen.
It’s going to be a hell of an experiment, if he plays. If he does halfway well, some older QBs will be getting phone calls.
If Rivers plays, it’s a running game with a handful of passing plays, and short ones at that. He’s no Baker Mayfield even if he coaches the high school iteration of this offense.
I remember reading a regular Seaside poster this offseason, can't remember his/her name.
But almost every season projection he/she would answer with, "Tell me who the healthiest team is and then I'll answer"
(Knock on wood) Look at the difference between the Hawks and the Colts. Two teams that at full strength are probably similar (Hawks favored but not by much).
Now? Hawks have to be one of, if not the healthiest teams in 2025.
(Knock on wood) The offense has not had a single significant injury! That is wild. Last year we lost both the starting right tackle and backup in the game 1.
Pretty crazy, please keep it rolling and avoid the injuries.
I was way more confident about the Hawks this pre-season than I have been in 11 years. And even I didn't think they would be this good, so honestly this is all just bonus for me.
I didn't buy into the hype around the Cardinals, but I figured we could be 2nd in the NFC, behind the Rams. I still don't believe Purdy is the QB they all think he is, but he keeps proving me wrong, so there is that. And once he went down I figured they were done, but here we are. If the Rams lose to the Lions, the Niners win their next 3 (which is VERY possible [Titans, Colts, Bears}), and we beat the Rams, the Niners could move into 1st in the NFC.
For some reason I feel the Niners are the threat we are overlooking. Of course the Packers, Eagles and Bears are in the conversation, but I have this lurking concern about underestimating the Niners. The Bears are Jekyll and Hyde, the Eagles are crumbling, and the Packers are inconsistent.
All that to say the TNF game is big, with a looming MASSIVE matchup against the Niners to finish the regular season potentially determining our fate.
I really hope it plays out where we can rest players against the Niners and not worry about the outcome. That would be my wish for the New Year.
It's official, Philip RIvers will start tomorrow. Though he is not the Philip RIvers of yesterday and he could potentially be terrible, I think I am going to enjoy seeing a true legend play once more.
Good luck to the Hawks and good luck to Philip Rivers for the remainder of the year.
The 2025 NFL regular season is in it's final quarter with four games remaining, oh how time flies. These four games are going to define the 2025 Seahawks. This week the Colts come to Seattle with the intention of tripping their opponent. The 12's will witness a dominant victory as the Colts will trudge off the field with their heads down and tails tucked between their legs.
GO HAWKS
I'm confident in the Seahawks but not arrogant. They could go 4-0. They could go 2-2 in the next 4. This game is funny. The balls shaped funny. The Seahawks SHOULD win at least 2 more games, and be no worst than 12-5 which will get them to the dance, where they can play with anyone. They COULD go 4-0 and be 14-3, which would be amazing, and get effectively a bye week before playing at home. I'm ok either way.
I realize everyone has read the post and since it has been up, most of the comments have been made and read, so who knows who will read this and get the benefit of this insight but here goes.
If there are any nervous nellies out there, well, don't be. This game can very, very easily be like the last two.
For the first 8 games of the season, Indy was the top scoring team in the league. They averaged 33.8 points. The lowest scoring game was the Rams who held them to 20 points. The next fewest points was 29. The other 6 games they went over 30 four time and over 40 twice. Truly a scoring machine. But wait. Were their games encounters where they just staying ahead of the other team? Not quite. While they were averaging 33.8 points on offense, the defense was holding their opponents to 19.25 points. Their average margin of victory was 14.5 points. Look familiar? This was all with their new wonder boy QB, Danny Jones.
Then something happened. The wheels fell off the whatever.
They lost 4 of the next 5. Three of the losses were to the Steelers, Texans and Jags. Have you heard of them? The offense went from 33.8 points to 21.2. The defense went from 19.25 to 26.2. Compared to where they were, they are getting close to train wreck territory.
Now Danny Dimes is on a long term break. And they brought in GrandPa QB to rescue the organization. Something happened to this team about game 8 or 9. Maybe if they were playing the game in Indy in the dome, maybe, maybe Phil could help. This is a dome team playing an outdoor game. And not just any outdoor game. They may have to build an ark to play the game in. Phil played his career in sunny southern CAL and in the dome. I don't think he will be ready for anything that hits him in Seattle.
I know the Seahawks have an indoor practice area but I hope they are spending some time outside to get ready for the game. Then again they may have to postpone the game if Seattle gets washed away.
That's enough enlightenment for one post. Who knows, I may get some more inspiration after tomorrows newsletter. Right now I am close to AI treatment.
Big Cat was the guest of honor on Cam Jordan's podcast, aired 2 days ago. I had not seen Leo in this kind of a setting previously and really enjoyed the chit-chat from 2 fellows who seem to be great human beings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT9P72Dp5ik&t=813s
Interesting stat from Boyle at Seahawks.com that didn’t even think of “The Seahawks have gotten at least half a sack out of 17 different players this season, yet there's no dominant pass rusher with a double-digit total”. Not sure how that translates, but to me that’s depth.
To me, this means that you have a bunch of hardworking players whose talents are maximized by very savvy coaches who are scheming blitz and pressure packages. That we haven't had some big personality throw a fit about the lack of individual accolades seems to underscore the claim that this team is connected and it helps support the eye test of how much they seem to celebrate each other's successes.
Our coaches deserve so much credit as does our general manager and scouting staff for identifying players who can thrive in such an environment
Agreed but per usual Coach Mac and JS isn’t likely to get any end of season accolades.
The Hawks defenders have a lot of pride in the level of their play. They believe they are elite caliber. We know that because various players have spoken about that.
Can you imagine if Philip Rivers starts and has any success against the defense? I think the defense is going to bring a little extra this game.
Another defensive player of the week? You bet! Go Hawks!
Rack 'em up!
Like Neo, I’m beginning to believe. I liked the Dugar article on the athletic this week, and the teams mantra of mission over BS. This group is dialed in. While they have had some convincing wins, they have achieved them in different ways and it hasn’t been smooth sailing throughout. The ability to win games in different ways, and adapt when the game doesn’t go to script will be important when you play good teams who take away what you do best.
All of my voting revolves around beating the rams. Forget the math. We have to win that game to earn the #1 spot and feel good about it.
Even if you're technically #1, if you lose twice to #2, then you're not really #1. Unless you then win game #3 and earn the right to call yourself #1 again. MATH!
A quick explanation why I voted 4 on beating the Colts.
First, I was supremely confident that we would beat the Giants. So now I try not to go there.
Second, because of that I am only supremely confident in 3 things.
One is that I will die.
The second is that when I do die, I will still love the Seahawks.
The third is that when I die, I will still hate the (insert Todd Bowls new favorite word here) rams.
And yes, not capitalizing the rams was on purpose.
There was not a choice for 13-4 which is what I hope we will be, because we rest people against the 49ers.
The heck of it is, though, if the 49ers' keep winning, they could be in line for the #1 slot and the 'Hawks would need to win that game too. Very exciting end-of-season schedule!!
Yes sir it is!
I'm supremely confident the the rams don't need to be capitalized...unless, of course, it's Ram Pickups.
At the start of the year I put a $20 bet on the hawks to win the division paying 7.00. Now they’re at 2.90 (Rams are at 1.60 favourites) .
I wasn’t confident they’d definitely be in it then, but I was hopeful. I actually still feel the same way, but maybe with a little extra dose of hope coz we’re so close.
I’m trying to feel conservative so I don’t get too disappointed if it doesn’t happen. It’s getting harder to do that though. The excitement is building. I can feel it.
I couldn’t find my reading glasses, so I put on my homer glasses to fill out the poll. Seahawks all the way!!
If the Hawks don't get the #1 seed they will pull a Steelers trick and win all the playoff road games and the Super Bowl.
Regarding Rivers, here’s some perspective…
Darnold came off a strong season in 2024, had a full offseason, has been on the MVP cusp, and has thrown JSN to the top of the league.
Rashid Shaheed is one of the fastest in the league, played under the Seahawks OC last year, and both he and Darnold are healthy.
Yet it took a month of playing together to even give a taste of being on the same page.
With that context, why would an older QB with no NFL experience for five years have any success after one week of practice?
Most experts feel that he will play. I think it’s a media story and an attempt to distract the Seahawks defensive planning. (They also needed another backup QB immediately.) MM often talks about doing things that distract a coordinator from planning for things that will actually happen on the field.
Rivers simply doesn’t have enough time to synchronize timing routes, let alone to decode the Seahawks defense. And he’s not going to be able to run around and improvise. The Colts would have been better off signing Russ.
Several reasons actually. First he’s been with these coaches and uses this offense as a HS coach. So play calls aren’t an issue. Not counting a couple injuries, Indy OLine decent. They are heavy running team. And Rivers doesn’t have the arm he once had but gets rid of the ball quickly. Seahawks stink against TEs and Colts have one of the best. Rivers is clearly a high level football IQ QB. Now that’s not enough to win. Cousins, while not 5 years away, had 370 yards last night. If Rivers still has his release then he can hit those quick shots. But as Danny ONeil said, it’s just not right to put him out there with hitters like DLaw, Nick, JReed, Murphy and Big Cat. Hope he has extra padding.
Even the quick, short passes can be dangerous for the Colts. Is the timing synchronized? If not, he could be passing to air with a defender in the background. Or hitting guys in the back, if it’s early. Or leading guys into a hard hit, if late.
Yeah, TEs can get wins, just as they could against the LOB, but probably not like the 108F Antonio Gates game. Without a deep threat, it should be relatively straightforward for the Seahawks to clog the short routes while being ready for the run.
The key to the game? Tackling. The team needs to keep short plays from turning into long gains.
Yep and as I said it likely and shouldn’t matter. But it’s not unrealistic that he can play. Brady noted that he still could play. Considering how poor some of the “kids” are (Rivers is old enough to be playing with his son) seeing Cousins or Rivers or Rodgers, not for the Hawks but still can play. Also a sad state of affairs for the most crucial position in all of team sports.
We will see. I think his ego is stronger than his current abilities. 😉
Just hope he doesn’t get hurt
Our DL has been really good at getting the QB down without roughing. Sometimes it’s like, “You are down, sir. Have a nice day.” But hits come fast. Anything can happen.
It’s going to be a hell of an experiment, if he plays. If he does halfway well, some older QBs will be getting phone calls.
Well yes ego clearly always with these guys. Like I said Brady had to speak out this week. You want ego.
If Rivers plays, it’s a running game with a handful of passing plays, and short ones at that. He’s no Baker Mayfield even if he coaches the high school iteration of this offense.
I remember reading a regular Seaside poster this offseason, can't remember his/her name.
But almost every season projection he/she would answer with, "Tell me who the healthiest team is and then I'll answer"
(Knock on wood) Look at the difference between the Hawks and the Colts. Two teams that at full strength are probably similar (Hawks favored but not by much).
Now? Hawks have to be one of, if not the healthiest teams in 2025.
(Knock on wood) The offense has not had a single significant injury! That is wild. Last year we lost both the starting right tackle and backup in the game 1.
Pretty crazy, please keep it rolling and avoid the injuries.
Health is the dirty little secret of the NFL, for sure.
I was way more confident about the Hawks this pre-season than I have been in 11 years. And even I didn't think they would be this good, so honestly this is all just bonus for me.
I didn't buy into the hype around the Cardinals, but I figured we could be 2nd in the NFC, behind the Rams. I still don't believe Purdy is the QB they all think he is, but he keeps proving me wrong, so there is that. And once he went down I figured they were done, but here we are. If the Rams lose to the Lions, the Niners win their next 3 (which is VERY possible [Titans, Colts, Bears}), and we beat the Rams, the Niners could move into 1st in the NFC.
For some reason I feel the Niners are the threat we are overlooking. Of course the Packers, Eagles and Bears are in the conversation, but I have this lurking concern about underestimating the Niners. The Bears are Jekyll and Hyde, the Eagles are crumbling, and the Packers are inconsistent.
All that to say the TNF game is big, with a looming MASSIVE matchup against the Niners to finish the regular season potentially determining our fate.
I really hope it plays out where we can rest players against the Niners and not worry about the outcome. That would be my wish for the New Year.
The 9rs a game behind us so I don’t think they could be the 1 seed if we win out.