Before the season even started, most, if not all Seahawk fans figured this game as a gimme. Monday Night Football at home against the Oakland Raiders. Clearly this one was a lock in the win column. After eight weeks of play and missing four key starters, the worry had started to seep in. The Hawks went into the game on a two-game losing streak against the Raiders with a two-game winning streak. Nobody was ready to give up the win, but many were prepared for a close game.
Many of those worries were eased right away as the Hawks' defense held the Raiders to three-and-out and the offense marched 68 yards for a touchdown in the first five minutes of play. Another three-and-out for the Raiders and a 20-yard field goal for Josh Brown made things look good for Seattle. By halftime, the Hawks were up 13-0.
The Raiders tightened up their defense in the second quarter and held strong until late in the fourth. After a failed fourth-down conversion attempt by the Raiders on their own 47, Seneca Wallace and Mo Morris charged down the field. The Raiders' defense and a couple penalties kept them out of the end zone, but the Hawks were able to add 3 more, and went on to win 16-0.
The Seahawks' defense played their strongest game of the season, allowing only 185 yards (the least of the season) and sacking Andrew Walter nine times.
Also making a return was the Seahawks' running game. They rushed for 207 yards, their best of the season. Coming into the game, the offense was averaging 92 rushing yards per game this season and only 75.5 yards per game without Shaun Alexander. Mo Morris put up 138 yards, beating his career-best rushing game of 104 yards.
Was it pretty? No. It's not a game the Hawks should brag about, but it is just what they needed after a couple of rough games on the road.
With the St. Louis loss to KC on Sunday, the Hawks are back on top of the NFC West as the Rams come to Seattle next week.
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