We have all heard it before a billion times. It's not easy to win in the NFL.
And that is very true. Even though teams can make it look easy at times, it's simply not easy to win. Every player on the field for both teams are professionals, at the very top of their profession, making tons of money for a reason.
Having said that, the Seattle Seahawks are masters at cutting it close this year. Up 24-0 at halftime, it looked to the entire planet that the Seahawks were on their way to a dominant 42-10 type victory. Instead, they allowed Matt Schaub (Matt Freaking Schaub?!?!) to pass for nearly 500 yards and was a successful onside kick away from potentially tying the game with seconds remaining.
Why? Once I was done with my tantrum, I realized it comes down to one thing and that is youth. One of the narratives of this season that should not be lost on any of us is that we are one of the youngest teams in the league. That paradigm has actually favored us through the years. Pete has no problem throwing rookies into the fire through necessity or desire to acquire experience sooner rather than later.
It's a double-edged sword. On one side, you allow these young men to get invaluable experience in real games that matter much sooner than other coaches might allow. However, you also have to deal with the very real fact that their lack of experience can bite you. Yesterday was a tale of two halves. In the first, the Seahawks did what most expected which was to dominate an inferior 1-6 opponent. However, and this is where the youth comes in, they thought a 24-0 lead was enough to win the game.
Obviously, a hard lesson took place. You can never, EVER take your foot off the pedal. Assumptions make an ass out of everyone, every time. If it was the Patriots? We all know this would have been a 42-10 likely outcome. Because the Patriots NEVER take their foot off the pedal, regardless of score. And that is one of the many reasons they are still the team every other team aspires to be.
Yes, yesterday was a win, and wins really are hard to come by. But it felt hollow to me. 6-2 is to be celebrated at the halfway point of the season and you never apologize for victories, ever. Yet, as a fan, you are free to feel however you want, good, bad or indifferent.
I want so bad to be dominant on defense like we used to be. I am now suffering with this odd sensation of wishing we were more like the 49ers. Ugh. I am watching Russell Wilson slightly losing his grip in the MVP race because of the way Pete wants to run the football. I absolutely get it, I really do, and I love watching us punish defenses with a bruising running game but I am selfish and want Russ to win the MVP race because he deserves it, and has been passed over in season's past.
However, you are not going to win MVP with passing under 200 yards. Aaron Rodgers is back in the conversation because he's Aaron freaking Rodgers. Yesterday he had over 300 yards passing and 3 TDs. Pardon my tangent here but I fear once again, a very MVP-type player will lose out on winning the esteemed recognition he deserves because of the offensive style he plays in.
I know, I can hear some of you saying "So what?? All I care about is winning! Not if Russ wins MVP!" And I get that, and I would definitely agree. I would choose winning over MVP titles any day of week. It's just that this dude is so beyond overdue and it would be a huge bummer if he loses out simply because he doesn't get to throw the ball 30+ times a game like others get to.
As for the team, I still really like overall where we are, but boy oh boy make no mistake about it, these ain't your Daddy's LOB Seahawks.
Some very good talent but they have yet to put it all together. And can we get ONE blowout game this year? My BP thanks you in advance.
And that is very true. Even though teams can make it look easy at times, it's simply not easy to win. Every player on the field for both teams are professionals, at the very top of their profession, making tons of money for a reason.
Having said that, the Seattle Seahawks are masters at cutting it close this year. Up 24-0 at halftime, it looked to the entire planet that the Seahawks were on their way to a dominant 42-10 type victory. Instead, they allowed Matt Schaub (Matt Freaking Schaub?!?!) to pass for nearly 500 yards and was a successful onside kick away from potentially tying the game with seconds remaining.
Why? Once I was done with my tantrum, I realized it comes down to one thing and that is youth. One of the narratives of this season that should not be lost on any of us is that we are one of the youngest teams in the league. That paradigm has actually favored us through the years. Pete has no problem throwing rookies into the fire through necessity or desire to acquire experience sooner rather than later.
It's a double-edged sword. On one side, you allow these young men to get invaluable experience in real games that matter much sooner than other coaches might allow. However, you also have to deal with the very real fact that their lack of experience can bite you. Yesterday was a tale of two halves. In the first, the Seahawks did what most expected which was to dominate an inferior 1-6 opponent. However, and this is where the youth comes in, they thought a 24-0 lead was enough to win the game.
Obviously, a hard lesson took place. You can never, EVER take your foot off the pedal. Assumptions make an ass out of everyone, every time. If it was the Patriots? We all know this would have been a 42-10 likely outcome. Because the Patriots NEVER take their foot off the pedal, regardless of score. And that is one of the many reasons they are still the team every other team aspires to be.
Yes, yesterday was a win, and wins really are hard to come by. But it felt hollow to me. 6-2 is to be celebrated at the halfway point of the season and you never apologize for victories, ever. Yet, as a fan, you are free to feel however you want, good, bad or indifferent.
I want so bad to be dominant on defense like we used to be. I am now suffering with this odd sensation of wishing we were more like the 49ers. Ugh. I am watching Russell Wilson slightly losing his grip in the MVP race because of the way Pete wants to run the football. I absolutely get it, I really do, and I love watching us punish defenses with a bruising running game but I am selfish and want Russ to win the MVP race because he deserves it, and has been passed over in season's past.
However, you are not going to win MVP with passing under 200 yards. Aaron Rodgers is back in the conversation because he's Aaron freaking Rodgers. Yesterday he had over 300 yards passing and 3 TDs. Pardon my tangent here but I fear once again, a very MVP-type player will lose out on winning the esteemed recognition he deserves because of the offensive style he plays in.
I know, I can hear some of you saying "So what?? All I care about is winning! Not if Russ wins MVP!" And I get that, and I would definitely agree. I would choose winning over MVP titles any day of week. It's just that this dude is so beyond overdue and it would be a huge bummer if he loses out simply because he doesn't get to throw the ball 30+ times a game like others get to.
As for the team, I still really like overall where we are, but boy oh boy make no mistake about it, these ain't your Daddy's LOB Seahawks.
Some very good talent but they have yet to put it all together. And can we get ONE blowout game this year? My BP thanks you in advance.
