Sunday, December 12, 2004
SEAHAWKS/VIKINGS
Here's what I have for today's early game...
1ST QUARTER
>> 1st Minnesota possession (MIN 26)
14:51 Smith outside right run near the chains (9 yd)
14:20 Smith through right side for first down (2 yd)
13:39 Smith to the SEA 49 (15 damn yards)
13:02 Robinson catch right sideline for 13 yards
12:28 Smith stuffed right side
11:54 Minnesota false start
11:35 Smith on a draw left side for 6 (3rd/9)
10:55 Trufant swats away a TD pass to Randy Moss
10:47 too many men on Seattle
***10:42 Andersen from 48 (MIN 3-0)
Well, I was going to say the Seahawks just forced a punt against the best third-down offense in the NFL, and that it was something, and that they had to take baby steps. Then the Seahawks had a Neuheisel moment. At least it wasn't seven, but that's small solace.
Always good to see Orlando Huff appearing to be complaining about something to Mike Holmgren. Mark Michaels just looked helpless on the sidelines. Who started the tradition that all of the special teams coaches have to wear the green shirt on the sideline? Was that Pete Rodriguez or was that passed down from above?
>> 1st Seattle possession (SEA 35, nice return by Morris)
10:29 Hasselbeck to Jackson right for 5 yards
10:00 Hasselbeck to Jackson right for 13 and a first down (SEA 40)
9:36 Alexander right side for 2
9:00 Hasselbeck to Engram right side for 18 and a first down
8:26 Alexander through middle for 6 (MIN 21)
7:50 Alexander nowhere outside on the left side (3rd/4)
7:09 ball off Jackson's arm over the middle
###7:05 Brown misses from 38
That drive should have ended in seven. Then it should have ended in three. At least the Vikings got their three.
>> 2nd Minnesota possession (MIN 28)
6:59 Culpepper to Moss downfield right side, PASS INTERFERENCE TRUFANT (SEA 41, 31 yards)
6:54 Smith through right side for 9
6:15 Culpepper to Burleson right side for 16 (first down, SEA 16)
5:41 Smith left side for 1
5:01 Smith left side to SEA 10 (3rd/4)
4:21 Culpepper to Campbell left side just past the chains
***3:43 Smith left side untouched to the end zone (MIN 10-0)
Let's play some word association here. Porous?
>> 2nd Seattle possession (SEA 20)
3:32 Alexander up the middle for 3
2:49 Hasselbeck to Jackson over middle for 8 and first down (SEA 31)
2:14 Hasselbeck left side incomplete to Engram...PASS INTERFERENCE WILLIAMS, MINNESOTA (SEA 48)
2:11 Alexander left side for 2
1:35 Hasselbeck throws away to right side before getting plowed (3rd/8)
1:30 Hasselbeck to Engram over the middle for a first down, with flags...ILLEGAL CONTACT ON MINNESOTA declined (MIN 35)
***1:12 Hasselbeck scrambles, gets Engram wide open right side for a 35-yd TD pass (MIN 10-7)
The Seahawks made a play?! STOP THE PRESSES!!! Also nice to see Minnesota get hit on a pass interference penalty as well. Who would have thought that they could only give Alexander the ball twice and they'd be able to do that well on a drive? Has the air game finally taken off? We've still got three quarters to go...
>> 3rd Minnesota possession (MIN 21)
1:02 Bennett left side for 3
0:23 Bennett right side for 1 (3rd/6)
Well, the Seahawks could conceivably be tied in this game, but they more than likely should be ahead. I guess they haven't been torched too badly downfield yet, though the short passing game for Minnesota has still done some damage.
2ND QUARTER
14:55 Culpepper to Campbell down left sideline well-defended by Ken Lucas, incomplete
Hey, the Seahawks just forced a punt out of the best third-down offense in the NFL. I wanted to say this earlier, but they didn't commit a penalty this time to get into Morten Andersen's field goal range.
>> 3rd Seattle possession (SEA 24...what a punt, 52 yards)
14:37 Alexander left side, bounces off bodies for 5
14:07 Alexander right side for 1 (3rd/4)
13:28 Hasselbeck to Jackson over middle for first down (10 yards, SEA 40)
13:08 Hasselbeck dumpoff right to Morris for first down (MIN 47, 12 yd)
12:35 Hasselbeck to Hannam wide open left side for 36 yards and a first down (MIN 12)
***12:14 Hasselbeck to Alexander right side for 12 yards and a TOUCHDOWN (SEA 14-10)
Umm...did that just happen? That was a mistake-free drive. What team am I watching here? Did a group of 'droid clones abduct the real Seahawks under lock and key, and then don the uniforms of the real Seahawks today? Where is this coming from??
>> 4th Minnesota possession (MIN 25)
11:53 Culpepper to Moss finally beats the Seahawks downfield, right side pass for 54 yards and a first down (SEA 21)
11:33 Smith outside left fools no one for a loss of 5 yards
11:12 Smith to left side for 2 (3rd/13)
10:25 Culpepper to Williams over middle for 10, well short of chains (they almost got a hand on Culpepper)
***9:48 Andersen from 32 (SEA 14-13)
Hey, they didn't give up seven. Also, they're still holding up pretty good against the NFL's first-ranked third-down offense.
Alllllll byyyyyyy myyyyyseeeeeeeeelf. Just had to get that out. That commercial is hilarious.
>> 4th Seattle possession (SEA 16, Morris nowhere on the return)
###9:36 ball thrown, tipped, INTERCEPTED by Williams
Good to know that they've still got some Vintage 2004 Seahawks play in them.
>> 5th Minnesota possession (SEA 49)
9:27 Culpepper overthrows Campbell in the end zone middle
9:17 Culpepper runs outside for 15 yards and a first down
8:52 Culpepper overthrows Moss in the end zone middle on a broken play where the defensive line begged for a flag
8:44 dumpoff right side Smith for a first down after Okeafor goes for Culpepper and leaves Smith wide open (15 yd, SEA 18)
8:19 Culpepper runs through middle for 6...Minnesota has run 20 of 25 plays in Seattle territory
7:32 Culpepper nearly sacked, runs outside and right but barely short of the chains...don't whine, Daunte, just call the same play again, you'll get it (3rd/in)...Tice red flags and is DENIED; all they had to do was run the same play again, sheesh
7:30 Culpepper up the middle on a sneak...why did they challenge the last spot again? First down and goal (SEA 9)
6:45 Smith left side to the 1, with flags...HOLDING ON MINNESOTA (SEA 16)
6:26 Culpepper shovel pass to Wiggins over middle, fumbles, lineman falls on it (SEA 9)
5:42 Smith gets 7 left side on a draw (3rd/G, SEA 3)
5:11 Minnesota timeout
***5:06 Culpepper to Moss wide open in the far left corner of the end zone...Lucas got worked (MIN 20-14)
Well, if the Seahawks managed to fall on that fumble, it might be different. It Matt Hasselbeck doesn't get picked, it'd probably be different too. Short field. Culpepper kept the ball four times on that drive.
>> 5th Seattle possession (SEA 40)
4:53 Alexander through left side for 13 yards and a first down (MIN 47)
4:27 Alexander gets a yard up the middle
3:50 Hasselbeck to Jackson left sideline fakes out the camera, jumps out of tackle and gets 16 yards and a first down (MIN 29)
3:26 Hasselbeck right side short to Engram for 10 and a first down (MIN 19)
***3:05 Hasselbeck hits Jackson wide open to the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN (SEA 21-20)
Huh?? The roof hasn't fallen in yet? Will the shock I'm experiencing cause nausea, heretofore resulting in a vomiting session consisting of acidic omelet? Stay tuned!!
>> 6th Minnesota possession (MIN 20)
2:58 dumpoff left side to Williams for 11 yd and a first down
2:27 Culpepper to Moss right side jukes, gets to the chains (11 yd, MIN 42)
1:55 Culpepper short to Williams outside right for 2
1:48 Culpepper tripped up, sacked for loss of 9 (3rd/17)
1:22 Lucas nearly picks Culpepper down the field to Moss
>> 6th Seattle possession (SEA 17)
1:09 Alexander through the middle for 5
0:41 Hasselbeck short to Rice right side gets Rice plowed, incomplete (3rd/5)
0:35 Hasselbeck over the middle to Jackson catches, drops...ruled incomplete
The second slip-up by the Seattle offense today. If you're keeping score, that's one interception and one three-and-out. That's a hell of a two-minute drill right there.
>> 7th Minnesota possession (MIN 26)
0:13 dumpoff right side Smith to the 34, Minnesota timeout
0:03 pass left side to Smith for 9 yards and a first down
Halftime stats...Both quarterbacks are 13-for-18, with Hasselbeck throwing for 211 yards/3 TD/1 INT and Culpepper for 165 yd/1 TD/0 INT. Alexander has 10 carries for 38 yards, Onterrio Smith has 12 carries for 55 and a touchdown. Randy Moss (68 yards and a TD), Onterrio Smith (32), and Moe Williams (23) all have three catches. Bobby Engram has 4 catches for 79 and a TD, Darrell Jackson has 6 catches for 72 and a TD, Ryan Hannam caught that wide-open pass for 36 yards, and Shaun Alexander has the one 12-yard TD catch.
To pique your curiosity, Gus Frerotte is the placekick holder for the Vikings. Good times.
3RD QUARTER
>> 7th Seattle possession (SEA 20)
14:56 Hasselbeck to Rice left side for 7 (SEA 27)
14:16 Hasselbeck to Rice over the middle for 5 and a first down
13:46 Alexander to the middle for 1
13:06 Hasselbeck nearly sacked, rolls out and finally throws away after nearly tripping up...nick block by Pork Chop (3rd/9)
###12:56 Hasselbeck picked right side SOMEHOW WITH NO FLAGS by Russell
>> 8th Minnesota possession (SEA 14)
12:50 Culpepper to Moss right corner of end zone covered by Trufant, incomplete
12:45 Smith handoff right for 2 (3rd/8)
12:02 Boulware covers Wiggins on incomplete pass over the middle...make-up call?
***11:58 Andersen from 31 (MIN 23-21)
Well, the Seahawks weren't exactly rolling on that drive when Hasselbeck was "picked," but Michael Boulware may have gotten some leeway on that Wiggins play. That said, it's three once again and not seven.
By the way, on Saturday Night Live last night, I saw the Scissor Sisters, who I hadn't heard before. What did they sound like? It sounded like Elton John collaborating with Abba on a hybrid cover of "Dancing Queen" and some Bee Gees song which I forgot the title to.
>> 8th Seattle possession (SEA 25)
11:44 Hasselbeck to Rice left side for 5 yards
11:09 Hasselbeck to Rice over the middle for 17 and a first down
10:31 Hasselbeck audibles before the snap, flags for false start on Rice
10:12 Alexander outside left for 5 (2nd/10)
9:31 Hasselbeck hard pass right side to Jackson for 20 yards and a first down (MIN 32)
8:50 Hasselbeck rolls right, gets Rice on the right side for 18 and a first down (MIN 15)
8:08 Hasselbeck overthrows Engram in the end zone...flags OFFSIDE MINNESOTA (MIN 10)
8:03 Alexander to middle for 2 (MIN 8)
7:21 Hasselbeck to Engram over middle in end zone...screened by a linebacker, incomplete (3rd/3)...booth argues for flags
7:18 handoff to Alexander, Alexander runs into Hasselbeck for a loss of 7...BROKE-ASS PLAY
***6:41 Brown from 33 (SEA 24-23)
What the HELL was that? What the hell was going on after the snap on that third down play? Good gracious, we hoot and holler for all this time for Alexander to be out there on third down, and we get this? Ugh. Later review says it's Pork Chop's fault.
>> 9th Minnesota possession (MIN 20)
6:38 Bennett outside right for 6
6:03 Culpepper to Burleson right side for 10 yards and a first down, Burleson plowed after the catch
5:24 Bennett outside right for 4 (2nd/6)
4:46 Culpepper deep downfield to Moss, Lucas dives for ball and misses...hey, I used quarters coverage in Madden 2005 and it worked (3rd/6)
4:40 Culpepper to Campbell down right sideline defended perfectly for Trufant and Hamlin
That's a nice stop by the Seahawk defense. I've been waiting a long time to say that. I guess you could argue it's already happened in this game, but it's a tad bit later in the game now. That Viking punter has got a leg...holy crap.
Lemony Snickets' A Series of Unfortunate Events may be the longest and most annoying movie title ever.
>> 9th Seattle possession (SEA 10)
4:27 Alexander outside right for 7
3:47 Hasselbeck over middle incomplete, under pressure (3rd/3)
3:41 Hasselbeck to Jackson right just over the chains (SEA 20)
2:57 Alexander outside left for 9
2:19 Morris toss outside left for 6 and a first down; Urban was in to pick up some blocking
1:37 Morris outside right moves the chains again (SEA 45)
1:09 Alexander runs left, cuts, and makes something from nothing for 4
0:27 pass right to Jackson, who trips up...probably would have had the first down (3rd/5)
Umm...the Seahawks need seven on this drive. They're staying close on the road, and Randy Moss really has burned then down the field just once, which is a borderline miracle at this point.
4TH QUARTER
14:57 Hasselbeck sacked...what did I say after the play? "THAT's f*%&in' clutch!!"
>> 10th Minnesota possession (MIN 29...Burleson with some jukes)
14:12 Burleson quick pass right side at line for 13 and a first down
13:38 Smith to middle for nothing
12:59 Culpepper over middle incomplete to Burton (3rd/10)
12:51 Culpepper with no one to throw to, runs forward for 5, short of the chains
After allowing a first down, it was a nice stop once again by the Seahawk defense. Now if there was just some third-down offense...
>> 10th Seattle possession (SEA 18)
11:58 Alexander runs with the pile for 5, right side
11:18 Hasselbeck falling down hits Hannam for 8 yards and a first down (SEA 30)
10:37 Hasselbeck fakes out Lance Johnstone and had room to roam on the right side...14 yards and a first down
9:59 Alexander to the MIN 34 (20 yd) through the right side, first down
9:20 Alexander right side stops, moves forward for 3
8:32 Hasselbeck audibles, goes deep down right sideline in end zone for Jackson, ball nearly caught, knocked out (3rd/7)
8:26 ANOTHER FREAKIN' SACK...Hasselbeck scrambles right, but nowhere to run...officials miss Jackson being grabbed past five yards
No, they didn't try Josh Brown from 51 or 52 yards. Indoors. Inside his career long.
>> 11th Minnesota possession (MIN 20...Koutouvides recovers AND STEPS ON THE GOAL LINE. It just never ends with this special teams unit)
7:46 Culpepper to Smith over the middle for 9
7:12 Culpepper to Burleson quick pass nearly tipped, first down (MIN 32)
###6:35 handoff to Smith, Smith plowed, fumbles, Rashad Moore recovers...Koutouvides plows Smith, somewhat atones for kickoff gaffe
>> 11th Seattle possession (MIN 26)
6:31 Alexander right side for 3
5:48 Alexander outside left, first down
5:03 Morris outside left fools nobody, loss of 3 (MIN 18)
4:19 Alexander left, moves to the MIN 10 (3rd/5)
3:43 Hasselbeck overthrows Mili in the end zone, incomplete...Mili into the goal post
***3:40 Brown from 28 (SEA 27-23)
Man, they needed seven on that drive. Granted, I'm glad they're scoring at all after the last few weeks, but can they buy a third-down conversion every once in a while? They started that series from the Minnesota 26, for goodness' sake.
>> 12th Minnesota possession (SEA 26)
3:28 Culpepper to Campbell left for 9
2:50 Culpepper to Moss down left sideline FLAGS FOR PASS INTERFERENCE on Manuel...NICE TIMING, guys (33 yd)...Wistrom down, helped off field -- that's just great (SEA 31)
2:44 Bennett right side for a first down (11 yd, SEA 20)
###2:09 handoff Moss, trick play, Moss throws to MICHAEL BOULWARE IN THE END ZONE (intended for Burleson); Hamlin nails Moss after the throw...Boulware now leads all rookies in interceptions
Michael Boulware is the Seahawks' defensive MVP this year. How could it be anyone else?
>> 12th Seattle possession (SEA 20)
2:04 Alexander through middle for 2
1:55 Alexander no gain in middle (3rd/7), Minnesota timeout
1:48 Hasselbeck to Jackson down the right sideline for 37 yards and a first down (MIN 40)!!!
1:46 Alexander into the pile for a loss of 2, Minnesota timeout
1:40 Alexander right side for four (3rd/8), Wistrom carted to the locker room (MIN 38)
1:31 Hasselbeck scrambles around and evades the initial sack, runs around for a while and takes the sack in bounds
0:51 Seattle timeout before punt
Nail-biting time. Culpepper, Moss, and the Viking wideouts against the Seattle defense...
>> 13th Minnesota possession (MIN 10)
0:40 Wiggins left side dumpoff for 5, runs out of bounds
0:27 Wiggins catch over middle for 22 yards, but he stays in bounds
0:19 spike, Seattle timeout...Holmgren has a heart-to-heart with his defense
0:10 pass Moss wide open right side for 36 and a first down (SEA 28)...FLAGS on Seattle for OFFSIDE, not getting downfield fast enough (SEA 23) with 0:04 left
0:00 Cochran SACKS Culpepper, though a peculiar play...Culpepper's knee was down, but the referee never whistled it, and the ball was tipped in the end zone and nearly caught (but it hit turf)
SEAHAWKS 27, VIKINGS 23
If Mike Holmgren is coaching the Seahawks next year, he needs to buy Michael Boulware a Hummer or two or something. What a big-play guy.
For the second week in a row, the offense looked pretty good, save a few instances on third down. Final numbers...
Hasselbeck 23-for-34, 334 yd, 3 TD, 2 INT
Alexander 27 carries, 112 yards; 1 catch for 12 yards and a touchdown
Jackson 10 catches, 135 yd, 1 TD
Engram 4 catches, 79 yd, 1 TD
But the big plays by the defense sealed this game. They stopped the Vikings on third down seven out of 10 times, which was a welcome sight. The Koutouvides forced fumble, the Moore recover of the fumble, and Boulware's interception finished the work that the offense had done.
My goodness, they beat the Vikings on the road. I'd have to say that if I thought the Seahawks were going to get any two of the remaining games on their schedule, it would have been this one and the Arizona game. Of course, if Atlanta is resting everyone in that final game at the Q, I could change my thinking.
The only drawback? A dumb play or two on special teams, but I think it's beyond repair by now. Josh Brown missed a field goal, but the tradeoff was a few kickoffs about a yard deep into the end zone.
Where did all the drops go? Did they finally get it out of their systems?
It's a win, folks. They beat a winning team. On the road. Just enjoy the next week.
They beat a winning team. A team in some disarray, sure, but a winning team nonetheless that had Daunte Culpepper and a hobbled Randy Moss (which is still better than a lot of receivers at 100%).
That team the Seahawks beat today are now 7-6. The Seahawks? Also 7-6.
Cherish the win, folks. One game at a time.
And for the rest of the football afternoon...GO PANTHERS!
Cardinals. Seahawks. Next Sunday.
1ST QUARTER
>> 1st Minnesota possession (MIN 26)
14:51 Smith outside right run near the chains (9 yd)
14:20 Smith through right side for first down (2 yd)
13:39 Smith to the SEA 49 (15 damn yards)
13:02 Robinson catch right sideline for 13 yards
12:28 Smith stuffed right side
11:54 Minnesota false start
11:35 Smith on a draw left side for 6 (3rd/9)
10:55 Trufant swats away a TD pass to Randy Moss
10:47 too many men on Seattle
***10:42 Andersen from 48 (MIN 3-0)
Well, I was going to say the Seahawks just forced a punt against the best third-down offense in the NFL, and that it was something, and that they had to take baby steps. Then the Seahawks had a Neuheisel moment. At least it wasn't seven, but that's small solace.
Always good to see Orlando Huff appearing to be complaining about something to Mike Holmgren. Mark Michaels just looked helpless on the sidelines. Who started the tradition that all of the special teams coaches have to wear the green shirt on the sideline? Was that Pete Rodriguez or was that passed down from above?
>> 1st Seattle possession (SEA 35, nice return by Morris)
10:29 Hasselbeck to Jackson right for 5 yards
10:00 Hasselbeck to Jackson right for 13 and a first down (SEA 40)
9:36 Alexander right side for 2
9:00 Hasselbeck to Engram right side for 18 and a first down
8:26 Alexander through middle for 6 (MIN 21)
7:50 Alexander nowhere outside on the left side (3rd/4)
7:09 ball off Jackson's arm over the middle
###7:05 Brown misses from 38
That drive should have ended in seven. Then it should have ended in three. At least the Vikings got their three.
>> 2nd Minnesota possession (MIN 28)
6:59 Culpepper to Moss downfield right side, PASS INTERFERENCE TRUFANT (SEA 41, 31 yards)
6:54 Smith through right side for 9
6:15 Culpepper to Burleson right side for 16 (first down, SEA 16)
5:41 Smith left side for 1
5:01 Smith left side to SEA 10 (3rd/4)
4:21 Culpepper to Campbell left side just past the chains
***3:43 Smith left side untouched to the end zone (MIN 10-0)
Let's play some word association here. Porous?
>> 2nd Seattle possession (SEA 20)
3:32 Alexander up the middle for 3
2:49 Hasselbeck to Jackson over middle for 8 and first down (SEA 31)
2:14 Hasselbeck left side incomplete to Engram...PASS INTERFERENCE WILLIAMS, MINNESOTA (SEA 48)
2:11 Alexander left side for 2
1:35 Hasselbeck throws away to right side before getting plowed (3rd/8)
1:30 Hasselbeck to Engram over the middle for a first down, with flags...ILLEGAL CONTACT ON MINNESOTA declined (MIN 35)
***1:12 Hasselbeck scrambles, gets Engram wide open right side for a 35-yd TD pass (MIN 10-7)
The Seahawks made a play?! STOP THE PRESSES!!! Also nice to see Minnesota get hit on a pass interference penalty as well. Who would have thought that they could only give Alexander the ball twice and they'd be able to do that well on a drive? Has the air game finally taken off? We've still got three quarters to go...
>> 3rd Minnesota possession (MIN 21)
1:02 Bennett left side for 3
0:23 Bennett right side for 1 (3rd/6)
Well, the Seahawks could conceivably be tied in this game, but they more than likely should be ahead. I guess they haven't been torched too badly downfield yet, though the short passing game for Minnesota has still done some damage.
2ND QUARTER
14:55 Culpepper to Campbell down left sideline well-defended by Ken Lucas, incomplete
Hey, the Seahawks just forced a punt out of the best third-down offense in the NFL. I wanted to say this earlier, but they didn't commit a penalty this time to get into Morten Andersen's field goal range.
>> 3rd Seattle possession (SEA 24...what a punt, 52 yards)
14:37 Alexander left side, bounces off bodies for 5
14:07 Alexander right side for 1 (3rd/4)
13:28 Hasselbeck to Jackson over middle for first down (10 yards, SEA 40)
13:08 Hasselbeck dumpoff right to Morris for first down (MIN 47, 12 yd)
12:35 Hasselbeck to Hannam wide open left side for 36 yards and a first down (MIN 12)
***12:14 Hasselbeck to Alexander right side for 12 yards and a TOUCHDOWN (SEA 14-10)
Umm...did that just happen? That was a mistake-free drive. What team am I watching here? Did a group of 'droid clones abduct the real Seahawks under lock and key, and then don the uniforms of the real Seahawks today? Where is this coming from??
>> 4th Minnesota possession (MIN 25)
11:53 Culpepper to Moss finally beats the Seahawks downfield, right side pass for 54 yards and a first down (SEA 21)
11:33 Smith outside left fools no one for a loss of 5 yards
11:12 Smith to left side for 2 (3rd/13)
10:25 Culpepper to Williams over middle for 10, well short of chains (they almost got a hand on Culpepper)
***9:48 Andersen from 32 (SEA 14-13)
Hey, they didn't give up seven. Also, they're still holding up pretty good against the NFL's first-ranked third-down offense.
Alllllll byyyyyyy myyyyyseeeeeeeeelf. Just had to get that out. That commercial is hilarious.
>> 4th Seattle possession (SEA 16, Morris nowhere on the return)
###9:36 ball thrown, tipped, INTERCEPTED by Williams
Good to know that they've still got some Vintage 2004 Seahawks play in them.
>> 5th Minnesota possession (SEA 49)
9:27 Culpepper overthrows Campbell in the end zone middle
9:17 Culpepper runs outside for 15 yards and a first down
8:52 Culpepper overthrows Moss in the end zone middle on a broken play where the defensive line begged for a flag
8:44 dumpoff right side Smith for a first down after Okeafor goes for Culpepper and leaves Smith wide open (15 yd, SEA 18)
8:19 Culpepper runs through middle for 6...Minnesota has run 20 of 25 plays in Seattle territory
7:32 Culpepper nearly sacked, runs outside and right but barely short of the chains...don't whine, Daunte, just call the same play again, you'll get it (3rd/in)...Tice red flags and is DENIED; all they had to do was run the same play again, sheesh
7:30 Culpepper up the middle on a sneak...why did they challenge the last spot again? First down and goal (SEA 9)
6:45 Smith left side to the 1, with flags...HOLDING ON MINNESOTA (SEA 16)
6:26 Culpepper shovel pass to Wiggins over middle, fumbles, lineman falls on it (SEA 9)
5:42 Smith gets 7 left side on a draw (3rd/G, SEA 3)
5:11 Minnesota timeout
***5:06 Culpepper to Moss wide open in the far left corner of the end zone...Lucas got worked (MIN 20-14)
Well, if the Seahawks managed to fall on that fumble, it might be different. It Matt Hasselbeck doesn't get picked, it'd probably be different too. Short field. Culpepper kept the ball four times on that drive.
>> 5th Seattle possession (SEA 40)
4:53 Alexander through left side for 13 yards and a first down (MIN 47)
4:27 Alexander gets a yard up the middle
3:50 Hasselbeck to Jackson left sideline fakes out the camera, jumps out of tackle and gets 16 yards and a first down (MIN 29)
3:26 Hasselbeck right side short to Engram for 10 and a first down (MIN 19)
***3:05 Hasselbeck hits Jackson wide open to the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN (SEA 21-20)
Huh?? The roof hasn't fallen in yet? Will the shock I'm experiencing cause nausea, heretofore resulting in a vomiting session consisting of acidic omelet? Stay tuned!!
>> 6th Minnesota possession (MIN 20)
2:58 dumpoff left side to Williams for 11 yd and a first down
2:27 Culpepper to Moss right side jukes, gets to the chains (11 yd, MIN 42)
1:55 Culpepper short to Williams outside right for 2
1:48 Culpepper tripped up, sacked for loss of 9 (3rd/17)
1:22 Lucas nearly picks Culpepper down the field to Moss
>> 6th Seattle possession (SEA 17)
1:09 Alexander through the middle for 5
0:41 Hasselbeck short to Rice right side gets Rice plowed, incomplete (3rd/5)
0:35 Hasselbeck over the middle to Jackson catches, drops...ruled incomplete
The second slip-up by the Seattle offense today. If you're keeping score, that's one interception and one three-and-out. That's a hell of a two-minute drill right there.
>> 7th Minnesota possession (MIN 26)
0:13 dumpoff right side Smith to the 34, Minnesota timeout
0:03 pass left side to Smith for 9 yards and a first down
Halftime stats...Both quarterbacks are 13-for-18, with Hasselbeck throwing for 211 yards/3 TD/1 INT and Culpepper for 165 yd/1 TD/0 INT. Alexander has 10 carries for 38 yards, Onterrio Smith has 12 carries for 55 and a touchdown. Randy Moss (68 yards and a TD), Onterrio Smith (32), and Moe Williams (23) all have three catches. Bobby Engram has 4 catches for 79 and a TD, Darrell Jackson has 6 catches for 72 and a TD, Ryan Hannam caught that wide-open pass for 36 yards, and Shaun Alexander has the one 12-yard TD catch.
To pique your curiosity, Gus Frerotte is the placekick holder for the Vikings. Good times.
3RD QUARTER
>> 7th Seattle possession (SEA 20)
14:56 Hasselbeck to Rice left side for 7 (SEA 27)
14:16 Hasselbeck to Rice over the middle for 5 and a first down
13:46 Alexander to the middle for 1
13:06 Hasselbeck nearly sacked, rolls out and finally throws away after nearly tripping up...nick block by Pork Chop (3rd/9)
###12:56 Hasselbeck picked right side SOMEHOW WITH NO FLAGS by Russell
>> 8th Minnesota possession (SEA 14)
12:50 Culpepper to Moss right corner of end zone covered by Trufant, incomplete
12:45 Smith handoff right for 2 (3rd/8)
12:02 Boulware covers Wiggins on incomplete pass over the middle...make-up call?
***11:58 Andersen from 31 (MIN 23-21)
Well, the Seahawks weren't exactly rolling on that drive when Hasselbeck was "picked," but Michael Boulware may have gotten some leeway on that Wiggins play. That said, it's three once again and not seven.
By the way, on Saturday Night Live last night, I saw the Scissor Sisters, who I hadn't heard before. What did they sound like? It sounded like Elton John collaborating with Abba on a hybrid cover of "Dancing Queen" and some Bee Gees song which I forgot the title to.
>> 8th Seattle possession (SEA 25)
11:44 Hasselbeck to Rice left side for 5 yards
11:09 Hasselbeck to Rice over the middle for 17 and a first down
10:31 Hasselbeck audibles before the snap, flags for false start on Rice
10:12 Alexander outside left for 5 (2nd/10)
9:31 Hasselbeck hard pass right side to Jackson for 20 yards and a first down (MIN 32)
8:50 Hasselbeck rolls right, gets Rice on the right side for 18 and a first down (MIN 15)
8:08 Hasselbeck overthrows Engram in the end zone...flags OFFSIDE MINNESOTA (MIN 10)
8:03 Alexander to middle for 2 (MIN 8)
7:21 Hasselbeck to Engram over middle in end zone...screened by a linebacker, incomplete (3rd/3)...booth argues for flags
7:18 handoff to Alexander, Alexander runs into Hasselbeck for a loss of 7...BROKE-ASS PLAY
***6:41 Brown from 33 (SEA 24-23)
What the HELL was that? What the hell was going on after the snap on that third down play? Good gracious, we hoot and holler for all this time for Alexander to be out there on third down, and we get this? Ugh. Later review says it's Pork Chop's fault.
>> 9th Minnesota possession (MIN 20)
6:38 Bennett outside right for 6
6:03 Culpepper to Burleson right side for 10 yards and a first down, Burleson plowed after the catch
5:24 Bennett outside right for 4 (2nd/6)
4:46 Culpepper deep downfield to Moss, Lucas dives for ball and misses...hey, I used quarters coverage in Madden 2005 and it worked (3rd/6)
4:40 Culpepper to Campbell down right sideline defended perfectly for Trufant and Hamlin
That's a nice stop by the Seahawk defense. I've been waiting a long time to say that. I guess you could argue it's already happened in this game, but it's a tad bit later in the game now. That Viking punter has got a leg...holy crap.
Lemony Snickets' A Series of Unfortunate Events may be the longest and most annoying movie title ever.
>> 9th Seattle possession (SEA 10)
4:27 Alexander outside right for 7
3:47 Hasselbeck over middle incomplete, under pressure (3rd/3)
3:41 Hasselbeck to Jackson right just over the chains (SEA 20)
2:57 Alexander outside left for 9
2:19 Morris toss outside left for 6 and a first down; Urban was in to pick up some blocking
1:37 Morris outside right moves the chains again (SEA 45)
1:09 Alexander runs left, cuts, and makes something from nothing for 4
0:27 pass right to Jackson, who trips up...probably would have had the first down (3rd/5)
Umm...the Seahawks need seven on this drive. They're staying close on the road, and Randy Moss really has burned then down the field just once, which is a borderline miracle at this point.
4TH QUARTER
14:57 Hasselbeck sacked...what did I say after the play? "THAT's f*%&in' clutch!!"
>> 10th Minnesota possession (MIN 29...Burleson with some jukes)
14:12 Burleson quick pass right side at line for 13 and a first down
13:38 Smith to middle for nothing
12:59 Culpepper over middle incomplete to Burton (3rd/10)
12:51 Culpepper with no one to throw to, runs forward for 5, short of the chains
After allowing a first down, it was a nice stop once again by the Seahawk defense. Now if there was just some third-down offense...
>> 10th Seattle possession (SEA 18)
11:58 Alexander runs with the pile for 5, right side
11:18 Hasselbeck falling down hits Hannam for 8 yards and a first down (SEA 30)
10:37 Hasselbeck fakes out Lance Johnstone and had room to roam on the right side...14 yards and a first down
9:59 Alexander to the MIN 34 (20 yd) through the right side, first down
9:20 Alexander right side stops, moves forward for 3
8:32 Hasselbeck audibles, goes deep down right sideline in end zone for Jackson, ball nearly caught, knocked out (3rd/7)
8:26 ANOTHER FREAKIN' SACK...Hasselbeck scrambles right, but nowhere to run...officials miss Jackson being grabbed past five yards
No, they didn't try Josh Brown from 51 or 52 yards. Indoors. Inside his career long.
>> 11th Minnesota possession (MIN 20...Koutouvides recovers AND STEPS ON THE GOAL LINE. It just never ends with this special teams unit)
7:46 Culpepper to Smith over the middle for 9
7:12 Culpepper to Burleson quick pass nearly tipped, first down (MIN 32)
###6:35 handoff to Smith, Smith plowed, fumbles, Rashad Moore recovers...Koutouvides plows Smith, somewhat atones for kickoff gaffe
>> 11th Seattle possession (MIN 26)
6:31 Alexander right side for 3
5:48 Alexander outside left, first down
5:03 Morris outside left fools nobody, loss of 3 (MIN 18)
4:19 Alexander left, moves to the MIN 10 (3rd/5)
3:43 Hasselbeck overthrows Mili in the end zone, incomplete...Mili into the goal post
***3:40 Brown from 28 (SEA 27-23)
Man, they needed seven on that drive. Granted, I'm glad they're scoring at all after the last few weeks, but can they buy a third-down conversion every once in a while? They started that series from the Minnesota 26, for goodness' sake.
>> 12th Minnesota possession (SEA 26)
3:28 Culpepper to Campbell left for 9
2:50 Culpepper to Moss down left sideline FLAGS FOR PASS INTERFERENCE on Manuel...NICE TIMING, guys (33 yd)...Wistrom down, helped off field -- that's just great (SEA 31)
2:44 Bennett right side for a first down (11 yd, SEA 20)
###2:09 handoff Moss, trick play, Moss throws to MICHAEL BOULWARE IN THE END ZONE (intended for Burleson); Hamlin nails Moss after the throw...Boulware now leads all rookies in interceptions
Michael Boulware is the Seahawks' defensive MVP this year. How could it be anyone else?
>> 12th Seattle possession (SEA 20)
2:04 Alexander through middle for 2
1:55 Alexander no gain in middle (3rd/7), Minnesota timeout
1:48 Hasselbeck to Jackson down the right sideline for 37 yards and a first down (MIN 40)!!!
1:46 Alexander into the pile for a loss of 2, Minnesota timeout
1:40 Alexander right side for four (3rd/8), Wistrom carted to the locker room (MIN 38)
1:31 Hasselbeck scrambles around and evades the initial sack, runs around for a while and takes the sack in bounds
0:51 Seattle timeout before punt
Nail-biting time. Culpepper, Moss, and the Viking wideouts against the Seattle defense...
>> 13th Minnesota possession (MIN 10)
0:40 Wiggins left side dumpoff for 5, runs out of bounds
0:27 Wiggins catch over middle for 22 yards, but he stays in bounds
0:19 spike, Seattle timeout...Holmgren has a heart-to-heart with his defense
0:10 pass Moss wide open right side for 36 and a first down (SEA 28)...FLAGS on Seattle for OFFSIDE, not getting downfield fast enough (SEA 23) with 0:04 left
0:00 Cochran SACKS Culpepper, though a peculiar play...Culpepper's knee was down, but the referee never whistled it, and the ball was tipped in the end zone and nearly caught (but it hit turf)
SEAHAWKS 27, VIKINGS 23
If Mike Holmgren is coaching the Seahawks next year, he needs to buy Michael Boulware a Hummer or two or something. What a big-play guy.
For the second week in a row, the offense looked pretty good, save a few instances on third down. Final numbers...
Hasselbeck 23-for-34, 334 yd, 3 TD, 2 INT
Alexander 27 carries, 112 yards; 1 catch for 12 yards and a touchdown
Jackson 10 catches, 135 yd, 1 TD
Engram 4 catches, 79 yd, 1 TD
But the big plays by the defense sealed this game. They stopped the Vikings on third down seven out of 10 times, which was a welcome sight. The Koutouvides forced fumble, the Moore recover of the fumble, and Boulware's interception finished the work that the offense had done.
My goodness, they beat the Vikings on the road. I'd have to say that if I thought the Seahawks were going to get any two of the remaining games on their schedule, it would have been this one and the Arizona game. Of course, if Atlanta is resting everyone in that final game at the Q, I could change my thinking.
The only drawback? A dumb play or two on special teams, but I think it's beyond repair by now. Josh Brown missed a field goal, but the tradeoff was a few kickoffs about a yard deep into the end zone.
Where did all the drops go? Did they finally get it out of their systems?
It's a win, folks. They beat a winning team. On the road. Just enjoy the next week.
They beat a winning team. A team in some disarray, sure, but a winning team nonetheless that had Daunte Culpepper and a hobbled Randy Moss (which is still better than a lot of receivers at 100%).
That team the Seahawks beat today are now 7-6. The Seahawks? Also 7-6.
Cherish the win, folks. One game at a time.
And for the rest of the football afternoon...GO PANTHERS!
Cardinals. Seahawks. Next Sunday.
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