2. First Drive – Seattle took the opening kickoff and drove the length of the field with 14 plays and 80 yards. Yes, the drive ended with, shockingly, a Mare field goal when the Hawks couldn’t punch the ball in from the one yard line, thanks to a Sean Locklear hold. But it was good to see the offense take the field and set the tone immediately.
3. BMW – Big Mike Williams followed his 10-catch career day last week with an 11-catch, 87-yard, one touchdown day against the Cardinals. Williams could have been even more effective in the red zone but the play calling seemed to go away from him down inside the 20 yard line.
4. Special Teams – Seattle’s special teams were special, recovering a muffed punt and kickoff and setting up a touchdown and another field goal.
5. Defense – The Seahawks defense didn’t have as good a day as last week, only collecting two sacks after pummeling Jay Cutler. The run defense also gave up 100 yards for the first time this season, although it was a combined 100 yards for Hightower (59 yards) and Wells (54). What the defense did really well was to hold Fitzgerald to three catches for 30 yards, and the Cardinals to 16% on third down and two conversions in 12 chances.
The Bad:
1. Offense – Seattle’s offense, after getting gifted five turnovers by the Cardinals, could not get anything going at all.
The run game, particularly the sweep to the right, was ugly because the line got absolutely no push against the Cardinals line. Seattle ran the ball 36 times to an average of four yards per play but lost yardage on six of those plays. Apart from a 39-yard run by Marshawn Lynch, a 14-yard run by Justin Forsett and a 12-yard misdirection run by Hasselbeck, the run game was putrid.
Not that the passing offense was any better. Hasselbeck went 20-for-30 and 192 yards with a touchdown. He also got killed or harassed every time he dropped back, getting sacked five times and fumbling once.
2. The 12th Man – Yeah, I’m calling out the fans, including myself. Max Hall said he was excited to play at Qwest Field. He was looking forward to the challenge. Arizona didn’t have any false starts, no delay of games, and barely looked bothered at all by the noise. I take that personally and although my voice is rough today, my throat a little raw, I could have done more. I should have done more to get that Cardinals offense and undrafted rookie quarterback kid rattled and moving backwards.
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