Seahawks lead NFL in game-winning drives
Is it better to comeback or to never be behind? Seaside Joe 1760
This post is serving as an emergency placeholder, in case anything goes wrong while I’m in transit on Wednesday that could put Seaside Joe’s consecutive days posting streak in jeopardy. At worst, at least the newsletter could share a Seahawks fact with you, like this one:
The Browns and Seahawks are tied for the most game-winning drives this season: 5 apiece.
That means that one-third of Seattle’s games, and over half of Seattle’s wins, have included a game-winning drive. Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were the only team that had more than five game-winning drives, as they famously had eight. The Bucs, Chargers, Steelers, and Giants each had five. You could argue that the Vikings, Chargers, Steelers, and Giants are at least feeling the impact of regression to the mean this season.
The Seahawks had three game-winning drives last season.
Of course, it would be great to celebrate the accumulation of game-winning drives with the same amount of excitement that happens to fans during said moments, but it’s not necessarily a category that is a team’s first choice to lead the league in. For example, the only two teams that do not have a game-winning drive this season are also the current AFC and NFC favorites to reach the Super Bowl:
Monday night’s game between the Ravens and 49ers featured a combined total of zero game-winning drives in 2023.
The 49ers, Chiefs, and Saints have zero fourth quarter comebacks. The Seahawks are tied for the league lead in fourth quarter comebacks, with four. They are tied with the Browns, Broncos, and Jets.
Now, if it were not for game-winning drives and comebacks, the Seahawks would not be in position to make the playoffs, if they win their next two games. That’s good. However, Seattle would like to also be a team that grabs. a lead and holds it.
Or else suffer the type of return to reality that the Vikings are going through this season after going 13-4 last year.
If Seaside Joe gets a chance to write more on Wednesday, he will. If not, see you Thursday.
Totally right. MUCH better to not need a game-winning drive. Or better said, for that drive to be the 1st one in the 1st quarter.
I get Pete's belief in winning in the 4th, bc it creates a culture of resilience and courage and fighting till your last breath. Gives you confidence despite obstacles. So I get it. Am proud it characterizes his Seahawks teams ever since the beginning
But, there's a strong argument the 49'ers approach is better: don't need any of that, just out-coach/out-play everyone and empty the bench in the 4th qtr. Dominance.
It’s better than leading the league in losing to game-winning drives.