Sunday, December 18, 2005
REMEMBER THE SEAHAWKS
The Seattle Seahawks are 12-2. The last time this team won 12 games? 1984. And if you're a Seahawks fan, you know when the Seahawks last won a playoff game. It happened 21 years ago to the day on Thursday. Dan Doornink, hello.
Sure, the Seahawks had a tough ballgame today in Nashville, holding off the Titans 28-24. But the Titans weren't going to roll over and die for the Seahawks. Titans head coach Jeff Fisher wouldn't allow his team to do that. It's crazy for me to say this, but today's game was just what the Seahawks needed. While some fans will complain that it should have been a rout, educated fans like myself take notice of the fact that the Seahawks overcame adversity today.
Down 24-14 in the 3rd quarter, the Seahawks offense stepped up in a big way. Three plays and 83 yards later, the score was cut to 24-21. That drive in the 3rd quarter was extremely important for the Seahawks. The defense had been subpar, so it was up to the offense to create some life after blowing an early 14-0 lead.
With the score at 24-21, the Seahawks defense once again bended, but did not break. On 4th-and-1 at the Seattle 6-yard line, Grant Wistrom and Michael Boulware stop running back Chris Brown for a 1-yard loss, giving the Seahawks offense the ball back. A 13-play, 93 yard drive was capped off by the return of Darrell Jackson, as he scored his first touchdown since Week 4 at Washington, which was the Seahawks' last loss.
The Seahawks have won 10 in a row. It's amazing to think that they won 9 of those games without their #1 receiver in Jackson. Yet nobody in the national media likes to bring that up. The Seahawks have had their share of injuries, folks. Three of the Seahawks' big free agent pickups from the offseason are currently out. Linebacker Jamie Sharper is on injured reserve while cornerbacks Andre Dyson and Kelly Herndon could return for the playoffs.
The NFC West was clinched weeks ago and with today's win, the Seahawks have a 1st-round bye in the playoffs. In fact, it's the franchise's first playoff bye ever. One by one, the monkeys are flying off the backs of the Seahawks. It's a beautiful feeling.
Unfortunately, the Seahawks will have to wait another week to see if they will have homefield advantage throughout the entire playoffs, thanks to Chicago's 16-3 win over Atlanta tonight.
These are the up-to-date scenarios for homefield advantage in the NFC:
NFC HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE
Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.
NFC WEST
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-2, 10-1 NFC)
Dec. 24 Indianapolis
Jan. 1 at Green Bay
NFC NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS (10-4, 9-1 NFC)
Dec. 25 at Green Bay
Jan. 1 at Minnesota
NFC EAST
NEW YORK GIANTS (10-4, 8-3 NFC)
Dec. 24 at Washington
Dec. 31 at Oakland
NFC SOUTH
CAROLINA PANTHERS (10-4, 7-3 NFC)
Dec. 24 Dallas
Jan. 1 at Atlanta
If the Seahawks win 1 more game, they will earn homefield advantage. However, if they were to lose their final two games against the Colts and Packers, we have a situation on our hands.
IF SEATTLE LOSES FINAL TWO GAMES AND CHICAGO WINS FINAL TWO GAMES
Seattle 12-4, 10-2 NFC
Chicago 12-4, 11-1 NFC
(The Bears would earn homefield advantage, thanks to their better NFC record)
IF SEATTLE LOSES FINAL TWO GAMES AND NEW YORK WINS FINAL TWO GAMES
Seattle 12-4
New York Giants 12-4
(The Seahawks would earn homefield advantage, thanks to their 24-21 win over the Giants)
IF SEATTLE LOSES FINAL TWO GAMES AND CAROLINA WINS FINAL TWO GAMES
Seattle 12-4, 10-2 NFC
Carolina 12-4, 9-3 NFC
(The Seahawks would earn homefield advantage, thanks to their better NFC record)
IF ALL 4 TEAMS (SEA, CHI, NYG, CAR) FINISH 12-4
1. Chicago
2. Seattle
3. Carolina
4. New York Giants
Basically, let's just wish for a Seahawks victory Christmas Eve against the Colts.
Which reminds me...
Just because the Colts lost today to the Chargers does not make Saturday's game meaningless. There is still a lot at stake for the Seahawks. Of course, as we've mentioned, homefield advantage is at stake.
An 8-0 record at Qwest Field is also at stake. I don't know about you, but an 8-0 record at home sounds very good. Two years ago, the Seahawks went 8-0 at home. Last season, there was no excuse for the Seahawks not to go undefeated at home, but nothing can be done about that now.
Saturday's game will be nationally televised on CBS. The majority of America will get to see the Seahawks. There's no excuse not to be pumped up about this game, Seahawks fans. The 12th Man isn't just the 67,000+ at Qwest Field. The 12th Man includes each and every Seahawks fan, worldwide. If you're lucky enough to be at the game on Saturday, make your voice heard.
Show America what the 12th Man is all about.
More importantly, the Seahawks will show the uneducated what they're all about as well.
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