Ok. So at the start of the season, who thought the Seahawks would be here? I HOPED they would be here, but I’d have been satisfied with a first round win in the playoffs.
And yet, here we are. OUR team is one win away from the Super Bowl. And if they play even half as well as last week, they are in.
It analyzes the two previous matches to help understand how our defense gave up so many damn yards the last time these teams met. Here’s a quick summary…
We played single high in the first game, including match zone, where the defender occupies a zone and passes the receiver to the next zone on certain routes, but matches man to man on the other routes. The Rams only scored three times, despite the turnovers.
In the second game, we played two high and zone underneath, screwing up a few coverages. Two high shut down the Niners, but failed against Stafford. Our DL seemed to have heavy legs on three days rest, giving Stafford too much space. Late in the game, we returned to one high, doing just enough to help win the game.
This makes our defensive plan a real mystery for tomorrow. Have we improved two high, running what we did against the Niners? Do we go back to one high and match zone? Or does Macdonald show both one and two high, rotating from one to another on certain snaps? Given recent history, who knows?
I hope that this keeps McVay up at night. And I hope that the defense has enough experience to smoothly go between schemes, even in the loud environment.
One insight I have is that Macdonald has yet to have unboxed all of his toys. It’s possible that the defense will have yet another gear at exactly the right time. If not, the defense will have room to get even better next year. Scary!
Play for the 12s, Boyz! McVay wants to get in your head. Just say no. Let luck run its' course, blah blah blah, then kick their ass. SEND THEM HOME WITH IDENTITY CRISES GALORE! It is their key to winning. And that's it. Stafford is bruised and beat up. He'll try to make you believe otherwise. He's 38/9. Physiology don't lie. 4 quarters of BEAT-DOWN don't lie. We've seen all Nacua's moves in this last month. Use it. Parkinson will want to be Kittle. He's not. They have no depth. Maybe they flash a bit. Don't bite. Run them until Sam finds his Voice and says: No More! I've had it with this shit. Show them some leg, Sam. Come alive in THEIR head. 2 weeks from now, they'll thank us for taking them off the board. Tomorrow, we begin warming up for it.
I did see that Tom Brady is behind the Rams to win. THAT is definitely in our favor!! Brady is not nearly as talented as an analyst or announcer as he was a QB.
You joke, but genuinely the way all season both offence and defence have chased down every ball is exemplary! If the ball pops loose I don't doubt a Hawk comes up with it, even better if it's at a crucial moment to break Rams hearts
So many great posts, Mine will be middling, but I am a Die Hard ala " Bruce Willis" Fan of the Hawks, and LA will not beat this Seattle Seahawk Team!
We Have shown so much grit and determination, Remember Bruce egging on Hans and his crew of Nar do Wells to come and get him. Well come on up to the 12's Stadium the home of the Dark Side, LA and see what we have in store for you. This is our Year, and this is our house, The best Manager, the best Coach, so many Pro Bowl players, and Sam I am. There are no weak links. So call me an optimist I'm guilty, but I can hardly remember a better time to be a Seahawk Fan.
IMO, Dan Marino is one of the 3-4 best QBs to ever play football. IMO, his 1984 season is the best year any QB has ever had, and this is not a close call. SB XIX:
There was a story told by Damen Huard, who was a Dan Marino backup in Miami for a few years. Damen said Dan didn't do much film study. Damen asked why, and Dan said, "You just look downfield and throw it if it looks open." Telling me, Dan Morino was operating on an entirely different level of consciousness than other human beings. There are those people who walk among us.
This is like the Seahawk rookie safety (Delano Hill?) who was asked what he had learned from Earl Thomas. “Nothing. You think I’m that fast?” Or words to that effect.
The baseball player Johnny Damon—one of the best leadoff hitters of his time—was puzzled by questions about how he studied opposing pitchers. “I’m see ball hit ball.”
What a fantastic topic right before this game! In my opinion, K9 is a back who excels when he gets into the rhythm of the game. This is most easily achieved by the number of carries he has in a particular game. Runners like Walter Payton and Jim Brown were renowned for wearing defenses down. Brown’s slow-starting was a complete psychological tactic. Anyway, I believe K9 has a chance to have his best game of the season in the game we need him the most. Since watching your draft evaluation of K9, I’ve been completely sold. I don’t have the article link, but you did an excellent job highlighting his strengths. Give this kid 25 carries, and he’ll easily surpass 100 yards.
My prediction for the game is this: if we stop their running attack on first down, we’ll force them into passing mode. This is what our defense is best at. Second, if we rush for 150 yards on offense, we’ll win. Darnold won’t have to throw over 20 passes and will have two touchdowns. All of this will be due to K9 rushing for over 100 yards.
The Hawks have moved the ball well in both of the previous games and I expect the same for the upcoming game. I expect Walker will have a nice game, JSN will get his catches and the other receivers will be complimentary components.
For the Rams, I expect both backs to generate yardage and Nacua will get his catches.
I have 2 important players, 1 for the Seahawks and 1 for the Rams.
- Matt Stafford: If his accuracy issues continue, it will be a long day.
- Sam Darnold: Will Shula be able to successfully simulate pressure, dropping folks into coverage and leading to Darnold interceptions? Will Darnold see through the misdirection?
I expect the upcoming game will be fairly close unless either of the 2 above players falter. I expect the Hawks to win this one 24-17.
And about that missed tackle thing, it was 20 degrees in Chicago last week. Nobody doesn't miss tackles in 20-degree weather. The Mr's Landman and Lake may be washed-up relics for all I know, but I don't think missed tackles in Chicago prove it.
I think the most important Seahawk will be Klint Kubiak. If he can keep Sam Darnold out of trouble and manufacture an early run game, things will be OK. I'm not really worried about Puka Nacua, or our defence. In MM I trust. Well, MM and Nick Emanwori, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Julian Love, etc. etc.
It seems like pretty much EVERYTHING in the NFL is geared to punish the winners and help the losers (the draft order, the schedules, etc.) except the inability to hire good coaches until their teams flush out of the playoffs. I'd love to keep KK for another year or three.
Guys and gals, I have news for you. I am 64 years old and I have seen the Hawks in the Kingdome against O.J. and the Bills. (A huge win and one of his worst games as a pro.) I moved to Florida for 40 years and watched them play in the Orange bowl and Hard rock as well as Tampa and Jacksonville. I've never been to a game at Lumen or a playoff game. But I just got off the phone with a friend, well now my best friend. His brother had tickets, but he had a stroke. He's fine but can't go. I'm going! He asked and I'm like well my knees my back. And then I was like who am I kidding cut both legs off and I'll walk on my hands. Even a loss would still make this one of the 20 coolest things I've ever done. A win vaults it to number 1. Just ahead of getting married. Hopefully this turns out better than the marriage. Sorry I am babbling. How am I supposed to sleep tonight. Someone tell Mike Macdonald no pressure but if we lose, I may need bail money. Don't know where the seats are but do not care as long as I can see most of the field.
ALRIGHT MAN!! Go buy a Lotto ticket! As a former card player may say, "I'd rather be lucky than good.". Great 'save' on the "Just ahead of getting married" qualifier...I'm 79 and also know the secret of surviving this long and not having to sleep with one eye open. Do some 12's class screaming at Stafford for me. Beat cancer few yrs back but the surgery has truncated my screaming ability a bit. Can still mutter expletives at Stafford like a drunken sailor though. Thought about attire? Face paint perhaps? Good for you John...check that off your bucket list and soak up every moment dude.
I have several jerseys, probably go with Byron Murphey or Steve Largent. Have not decided yet. I have freckles so no face paint. I literally do not know what that means. What freckles have to do with it, I have no idea. I am stoked.
I, too have never been to a home game. You sure got the right one to be your first! Enjoy the atmosphere, and I'll live vicariously through you tomorrow as we cheer our men on with the 12s!
The anxiety is starting to bubble up. For all I believe, and I do, it is the McVay Rams and I just cannot shake this creeping feeling... I'm praying for a fast start in Q1, take a 10 or 13 point lead mid way through Q2 and just ride it home from there.
Zabel-Sundell-Bradford. That's where the game is for me. Keep making 5, 6, 7yd gaps for Walker and just grind LA to dust. Grind, pound. Grind pound. Put no pressure on Sam to chase throws, put no pressure on Cross knee. Grind pound, grind pound.
Meanwhile, I appreciate the media's desire to try and make the AFC game somewhat interesting but my lord the hype being instilled on Stidham is truly insane. Bad luck Broncos, bad luck NFL, but sometimes just take the L and regroup. How you have the two best teams in the NFL facing each other and it's your number two focus of the week is beyond me.
I’m with you KH. My worry was up but super excited to play the Whiners after that week 18 game. But we have yet to get over the hump with McVay and the Rams. Plus Stafford is really the best thinking QB currently in the NFL. I did like SJ comment about Landman and interior DL under sized. We’ve not gotten to Stafford enough and that concerns me. My nervousness will grow the closer I drive up I5 tomorrow
When I start getting that anxiety I just remind myself how hard it was for the Rams to beat the Bears and others. The Hawks just need to remember what works so well for them and plow forward.
My guys to watch for the Seahawks are, 1) Darnold. I’m not looking for a big number game, I’m looking for a third game in a row with 0 or 1 turnover. Don’t turn it over and leave the Rams with a short field or red zone scoring opportunity. 2) Holani/Akers/? Whoever runs the ball besides K9. First priority, don’t fumble, second priority get sone decent runs. 3) Arroyo. I thought he would be activated against the 49ers, but he needed one more week of practice. I would love to see him catch a few in the middle of the field, beating the LBs and drawing the attention of the safeties to allow for a potential long strike to JSN or Shaheed. 4) Rams RB duo. Seattle needs to be able to stop the run in their nickel without resorting to a base defense. 5) Stop Nacua! He destroyed our zone defense in week 16 on crossing routes coming open moving from one zone to the next. I would play man on Nacua with Woolen. Nacua has far better numbers against zone coverage vs man coverage. If we can get a lead and play dime, I would go full time man on Nacua and play zone with the other 6 defenders, allowing the zone defenders to snipe with Woolen playing tight man on Nacua.
For good measure, I'd throw these guys into the mix:
1) Nick Emmanwori vs Ram TEs
2) Cooper Kupp(and Bobo for that matter) continuing great WR blocking
3) KWIII holding up in Pass Pro
4) Barner/KW as Darnold's saftey valves vs Rams' Pass rush in the checkdown game
5) A Locked in Myers
Go Hawks!
What are the odds Seattle starts their drive after EVERY kickoff from the 35?
Well we're only going to receive one kickoff so I'd take that bet :p
Woulsn't want to bet against it.
Ok. So at the start of the season, who thought the Seahawks would be here? I HOPED they would be here, but I’d have been satisfied with a first round win in the playoffs.
And yet, here we are. OUR team is one win away from the Super Bowl. And if they play even half as well as last week, they are in.
What a great time to be a Seahawks fan!
Here’s the video I’ve been waiting for all week… https://youtu.be/Zq1xnbJTy7o?si=v4BxgROywWlMmfsE
It analyzes the two previous matches to help understand how our defense gave up so many damn yards the last time these teams met. Here’s a quick summary…
We played single high in the first game, including match zone, where the defender occupies a zone and passes the receiver to the next zone on certain routes, but matches man to man on the other routes. The Rams only scored three times, despite the turnovers.
In the second game, we played two high and zone underneath, screwing up a few coverages. Two high shut down the Niners, but failed against Stafford. Our DL seemed to have heavy legs on three days rest, giving Stafford too much space. Late in the game, we returned to one high, doing just enough to help win the game.
This makes our defensive plan a real mystery for tomorrow. Have we improved two high, running what we did against the Niners? Do we go back to one high and match zone? Or does Macdonald show both one and two high, rotating from one to another on certain snaps? Given recent history, who knows?
I hope that this keeps McVay up at night. And I hope that the defense has enough experience to smoothly go between schemes, even in the loud environment.
One insight I have is that Macdonald has yet to have unboxed all of his toys. It’s possible that the defense will have yet another gear at exactly the right time. If not, the defense will have room to get even better next year. Scary!
Play for the 12s, Boyz! McVay wants to get in your head. Just say no. Let luck run its' course, blah blah blah, then kick their ass. SEND THEM HOME WITH IDENTITY CRISES GALORE! It is their key to winning. And that's it. Stafford is bruised and beat up. He'll try to make you believe otherwise. He's 38/9. Physiology don't lie. 4 quarters of BEAT-DOWN don't lie. We've seen all Nacua's moves in this last month. Use it. Parkinson will want to be Kittle. He's not. They have no depth. Maybe they flash a bit. Don't bite. Run them until Sam finds his Voice and says: No More! I've had it with this shit. Show them some leg, Sam. Come alive in THEIR head. 2 weeks from now, they'll thank us for taking them off the board. Tomorrow, we begin warming up for it.
I did see that Tom Brady is behind the Rams to win. THAT is definitely in our favor!! Brady is not nearly as talented as an analyst or announcer as he was a QB.
What a disappointment as an ex-QB
Yeah, he was behind Pete and Geno. So I feel better he’s behind Shana Ham and Stafford.
I hope Darnold throws a backward pass when we are within 5 yards of the goal just to get in their heads!!
You joke, but genuinely the way all season both offence and defence have chased down every ball is exemplary! If the ball pops loose I don't doubt a Hawk comes up with it, even better if it's at a crucial moment to break Rams hearts
Too bad he can’t throw a Zackward pass
I just have to jump in ,
So many great posts, Mine will be middling, but I am a Die Hard ala " Bruce Willis" Fan of the Hawks, and LA will not beat this Seattle Seahawk Team!
We Have shown so much grit and determination, Remember Bruce egging on Hans and his crew of Nar do Wells to come and get him. Well come on up to the 12's Stadium the home of the Dark Side, LA and see what we have in store for you. This is our Year, and this is our house, The best Manager, the best Coach, so many Pro Bowl players, and Sam I am. There are no weak links. So call me an optimist I'm guilty, but I can hardly remember a better time to be a Seahawk Fan.
Yippee ki yay! MFers
Just Saying Dept.
IMO, Dan Marino is one of the 3-4 best QBs to ever play football. IMO, his 1984 season is the best year any QB has ever had, and this is not a close call. SB XIX:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198501200mia.htm
There was a story told by Damen Huard, who was a Dan Marino backup in Miami for a few years. Damen said Dan didn't do much film study. Damen asked why, and Dan said, "You just look downfield and throw it if it looks open." Telling me, Dan Morino was operating on an entirely different level of consciousness than other human beings. There are those people who walk among us.
This is like the Seahawk rookie safety (Delano Hill?) who was asked what he had learned from Earl Thomas. “Nothing. You think I’m that fast?” Or words to that effect.
The baseball player Johnny Damon—one of the best leadoff hitters of his time—was puzzled by questions about how he studied opposing pitchers. “I’m see ball hit ball.”
https://youtu.be/IAgMBIu6iVk?si=u3VTxqRRMW9Eg5tQ
What a fantastic topic right before this game! In my opinion, K9 is a back who excels when he gets into the rhythm of the game. This is most easily achieved by the number of carries he has in a particular game. Runners like Walter Payton and Jim Brown were renowned for wearing defenses down. Brown’s slow-starting was a complete psychological tactic. Anyway, I believe K9 has a chance to have his best game of the season in the game we need him the most. Since watching your draft evaluation of K9, I’ve been completely sold. I don’t have the article link, but you did an excellent job highlighting his strengths. Give this kid 25 carries, and he’ll easily surpass 100 yards.
My prediction for the game is this: if we stop their running attack on first down, we’ll force them into passing mode. This is what our defense is best at. Second, if we rush for 150 yards on offense, we’ll win. Darnold won’t have to throw over 20 passes and will have two touchdowns. All of this will be due to K9 rushing for over 100 yards.
The Hawks have moved the ball well in both of the previous games and I expect the same for the upcoming game. I expect Walker will have a nice game, JSN will get his catches and the other receivers will be complimentary components.
For the Rams, I expect both backs to generate yardage and Nacua will get his catches.
I have 2 important players, 1 for the Seahawks and 1 for the Rams.
- Matt Stafford: If his accuracy issues continue, it will be a long day.
- Sam Darnold: Will Shula be able to successfully simulate pressure, dropping folks into coverage and leading to Darnold interceptions? Will Darnold see through the misdirection?
I expect the upcoming game will be fairly close unless either of the 2 above players falter. I expect the Hawks to win this one 24-17.
And about that missed tackle thing, it was 20 degrees in Chicago last week. Nobody doesn't miss tackles in 20-degree weather. The Mr's Landman and Lake may be washed-up relics for all I know, but I don't think missed tackles in Chicago prove it.
I think the field conditions impacted the timing of the Rams offense as well.
I think the most important Seahawk will be Klint Kubiak. If he can keep Sam Darnold out of trouble and manufacture an early run game, things will be OK. I'm not really worried about Puka Nacua, or our defence. In MM I trust. Well, MM and Nick Emanwori, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Julian Love, etc. etc.
And, hard to see Kubiak wanting any of the 4 remaining HC gigs.
It seems like pretty much EVERYTHING in the NFL is geared to punish the winners and help the losers (the draft order, the schedules, etc.) except the inability to hire good coaches until their teams flush out of the playoffs. I'd love to keep KK for another year or three.
Guys and gals, I have news for you. I am 64 years old and I have seen the Hawks in the Kingdome against O.J. and the Bills. (A huge win and one of his worst games as a pro.) I moved to Florida for 40 years and watched them play in the Orange bowl and Hard rock as well as Tampa and Jacksonville. I've never been to a game at Lumen or a playoff game. But I just got off the phone with a friend, well now my best friend. His brother had tickets, but he had a stroke. He's fine but can't go. I'm going! He asked and I'm like well my knees my back. And then I was like who am I kidding cut both legs off and I'll walk on my hands. Even a loss would still make this one of the 20 coolest things I've ever done. A win vaults it to number 1. Just ahead of getting married. Hopefully this turns out better than the marriage. Sorry I am babbling. How am I supposed to sleep tonight. Someone tell Mike Macdonald no pressure but if we lose, I may need bail money. Don't know where the seats are but do not care as long as I can see most of the field.
GO FARTHER HAWKS!!!!
Yeah see if you can connect to our chat and let us know how it is. Gonna be insane!!!
Have a great time! Tell us what it was like!
Lucky guy. Go Hawks!!! Make John's day!!!
Hell yeah dogg
Wow! This is awesome.
Got even more fired up for the game tomorrow!
ALRIGHT MAN!! Go buy a Lotto ticket! As a former card player may say, "I'd rather be lucky than good.". Great 'save' on the "Just ahead of getting married" qualifier...I'm 79 and also know the secret of surviving this long and not having to sleep with one eye open. Do some 12's class screaming at Stafford for me. Beat cancer few yrs back but the surgery has truncated my screaming ability a bit. Can still mutter expletives at Stafford like a drunken sailor though. Thought about attire? Face paint perhaps? Good for you John...check that off your bucket list and soak up every moment dude.
I have several jerseys, probably go with Byron Murphey or Steve Largent. Have not decided yet. I have freckles so no face paint. I literally do not know what that means. What freckles have to do with it, I have no idea. I am stoked.
Good View ! 'n good Game, John !
I, too have never been to a home game. You sure got the right one to be your first! Enjoy the atmosphere, and I'll live vicariously through you tomorrow as we cheer our men on with the 12s!
Please join the chat with us during the game if you can!! And, have a really fantastic time at the game!!
Thank you.
Enjoy John (I’m jealous).
I want to hear your support from here (Australia)!
We are expecting a follow up report. You can also chat from the game in the chat app.
The anxiety is starting to bubble up. For all I believe, and I do, it is the McVay Rams and I just cannot shake this creeping feeling... I'm praying for a fast start in Q1, take a 10 or 13 point lead mid way through Q2 and just ride it home from there.
Zabel-Sundell-Bradford. That's where the game is for me. Keep making 5, 6, 7yd gaps for Walker and just grind LA to dust. Grind, pound. Grind pound. Put no pressure on Sam to chase throws, put no pressure on Cross knee. Grind pound, grind pound.
Meanwhile, I appreciate the media's desire to try and make the AFC game somewhat interesting but my lord the hype being instilled on Stidham is truly insane. Bad luck Broncos, bad luck NFL, but sometimes just take the L and regroup. How you have the two best teams in the NFL facing each other and it's your number two focus of the week is beyond me.
I’m with you KH. My worry was up but super excited to play the Whiners after that week 18 game. But we have yet to get over the hump with McVay and the Rams. Plus Stafford is really the best thinking QB currently in the NFL. I did like SJ comment about Landman and interior DL under sized. We’ve not gotten to Stafford enough and that concerns me. My nervousness will grow the closer I drive up I5 tomorrow
Cheer hard Randall.
Oh most definitely :-). And will rely on you all to keep me posted on replay etc on questionable calls or injuries.
Unfortunately I have to work when the game is on. It’ll be replay for me 😖. I’m sure our fab community will be up for the request though.
Ugh sorry man. But I’ll go with the generic group then. May the post work watch end up being while massively excited and happy.
When I start getting that anxiety I just remind myself how hard it was for the Rams to beat the Bears and others. The Hawks just need to remember what works so well for them and plow forward.
I’m with you KH. My anxiety for this game started after the last time we played them.
You know the network is freaking about a possible Darnold Stidham QB matchup in the Super Bowl.
My guys to watch for the Seahawks are, 1) Darnold. I’m not looking for a big number game, I’m looking for a third game in a row with 0 or 1 turnover. Don’t turn it over and leave the Rams with a short field or red zone scoring opportunity. 2) Holani/Akers/? Whoever runs the ball besides K9. First priority, don’t fumble, second priority get sone decent runs. 3) Arroyo. I thought he would be activated against the 49ers, but he needed one more week of practice. I would love to see him catch a few in the middle of the field, beating the LBs and drawing the attention of the safeties to allow for a potential long strike to JSN or Shaheed. 4) Rams RB duo. Seattle needs to be able to stop the run in their nickel without resorting to a base defense. 5) Stop Nacua! He destroyed our zone defense in week 16 on crossing routes coming open moving from one zone to the next. I would play man on Nacua with Woolen. Nacua has far better numbers against zone coverage vs man coverage. If we can get a lead and play dime, I would go full time man on Nacua and play zone with the other 6 defenders, allowing the zone defenders to snipe with Woolen playing tight man on Nacua.
Soungs Great !